August 1, 2017
The following is part 2 of how we have been spending our summer. Read here for part 1.
Time for Others, Spirituality and Carefree Timelessness
We take time to talk or read about life skills such as empathy, cooperation and dealing with difficult age appropriate situations. The kids help contribute to others through gathering and assembling supplies. They made bags a few weeks ago to be given to help the homeless survive the summer months. We talk about what that might be like to be homeless and how the supplies can help give some comfort.
When we dropped off supplies at the local Ronald McDonald house, the boys and I were fortunate to be given a tour. Their favorite parts were meeting the onsite therapy dog and checking out the outdoor play space. We talked about the one we stayed in while Noah was sick and how the amenities and services there help people going through an extremely difficult time feel at home.
Today we finished a craft to be given to Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA) through Little Loving Hands. Read here on more ways we include the children in our service projects.
In addition to attending Mass and prayers throughout our day, we read books about our faith focusing on virtues, the saints and how we can apply it to our lives. We talk about our family values and what it means to be a Catholic — not just going to church and saying that you are one.
Death is an aspect of life that I do not sugar coat for my children. We acknowledge that it is ok to feel sad and to miss Noah and have various ways to honor his memory. We also discuss that eternity is waiting for us after this life. This is why we should always value people and our relationships over physical things. The afterlife matters more than our current one, so we need to make mindful choices and help others in the present.
Carefree Timelessness
We schedule time most summer days for this. I came across this term from Matthew Kelly’s books. He discussed how this strengthens relationships.
Kelly shares in his book- The Seven Levels of Intimacy, “Our relationships cannot thrive under the pressures of our noisy, busy, fast, modern lifestyles, but every relationship blossoms when it is nourished with a little carefree timelessness.” He says in The Rhythm of Life, that it is “time spent without an agenda. I didn't say that it is unscheduled and will happen all on its own. We know it won't. We have to schedule it, but we don't have to have an agenda.”
Being together is great, but adding carefree timelessness to it is much more satisfying. I want my relationship with my children to continue to grow as we get older which takes a conscious effort. I have helped set up a puppet show, built house forts from blankets and pillows and have painted or drawn whatever is on our minds together. I choose participating in this over household duties many times. The time spent with them and allowing our relationship to strengthen from carefree timelessness is more of a priority than any housework. We have played board games together, snuggle on the couch after lighting some candles and played with flashlights with the boys talking about dreams, their day or anything really. It’s simply time together.
Not every minute of our days are scheduled and chaotic. We allow our days to be spontaneous if friends want to hang out or go on an outing. We are fortunate that we live in a large city that has an amazing art museum, various parks and playgrounds, a zoo, science museum, etc. I am very intentional on how we are spending our time in accordance to our family’s core values. I want my children to look back at their summers as fulfilling in a fun and relaxing way while keeping in mind the importance of family and serving others.
A little carefree timelessness at the beach.