summer bucket list – or not

I have seen a lot of people talking about their summer bucket list. I love the idea ofa. summer bucket list for my kids, and for myself. In fact, I sat down recetnly and started writing out a list. Things that I wrote down were things like:

• go to the beach
• go to the local amusement park
• go for hikes
• BBQ’s
• ice cream shop
• fires
• explore what is local to us

All of these are pretty basic ideas. I wasn’t going out on a limb and sending them to summer camp (they are too young), or signing them up for a bunch of activities.

I realized then that I didn’t want to actually have a bucket list. What I want is a fun relaxing summer of my kids playing outside, and making their own entertainment by riding bikes and playing with dirt.

I thin that we, as parents, often forget that our kids are just that, kids. We don’t need to spend a lot of time signing them up for every activity under the sun, although it may be easier sometimes. What they need is the sun (and the rain, sometimes, too), and an opportunity to create their own entertainment. If I constantly have activities lined up for my kids, the will not know what to do with themselves when they have downtime. And honestly, I don’t think I would function well with all that running around.

So, instead of writing a bucket list, no matter how basic it may be, I am instead going to encourage my kids to get as much vitamin D as possible. I want them to tell stories about their adventures outside, and appreciate all that is around them every day.

Of course I say all of this, and see that our weekends are quickly filling up for the entire summer. I also know we have a very busy fall ahead of us with a new baby on the way, so we need to keep our weeks relatively free for exploration and unlimited play – and yes, even boredom.

I want to focus on fun, but in a much more relaxed way. If we want to go to the beach because it is a beautiful day, great! But, I don’t want it on a list, hanging over my head if it doesn’t happen for some reason. I want to encourage myself to say yes to things in the moment because they sound fun, but also to have the courage to say no to some fun things because I am pregnant and need to rest!

Do you put together a bucket list for your kids? Do you get concerned about the summer passing too quickly because of all the activities you have planned?