Intentionality
I sit here drinking my hot coffee, the house is quiet. There are no wet towels laying on the floor to hang up, no squeals of joy as they compare who can jump highest on the trampoline. The dishes are washed and neatly packed away and the beds are made - finally.
I take a deep breath and think back on these past 10 weeks. I remember the moment their toes dipped intrepidly in the ocean for the first time, in a very long time. I recall their first ever taste of “Pastel De Nata” (a Portuguese delicacy made from fluffy pastry and a warm, buttery custard). The pure joy as they wrapped their arms around their Scottish grandparents, played on the slip and slide with their neighborhood friends and stayed up late roasting marshmallows under the stars.
This was our summer, it wasn’t perfect but it was ours and it’s over for another year. I think to myself how grateful I am to get this time to myself, now the children are back in school. I miss them, I miss us, but I am hopeful for a joyful school year ahead. I take another sip of warm coffee and begin reflecting on the moments that we shared and the challenges we encountered. I ask myself if there is anything I would have done differently? Anything I would do again next year? My mind wanders to the year ahead and I begin thinking about my hopes and dreams for our family for the year ahead. This act of intentionality is a powerful one. Time with our children is limited and having a plan and prioritizing how we use our time can have a long lasting impact. As the school year begins, our lives get busy - field trips, soccer games, school concerts, dentist appointments, birthday parties to name but a few.
It is easy to get lost in the busyness of back to school.
Here are some ideas to help us, as parents, to kick off the school year with intentionality and stay grounded in family values:
Post a family calendar, or if your children are older, share a calendar electronically. Visual schedules can be helpful for young children.
Meal plan/prep on Sundays for the week ahead. Ask your family to come up with some suggestions for shared family meals.
Involve your children in family responsibilities (laundry, beds, dishes, trash, etc.)
Write a list of shared family goals for the year. Brainstorm these together around the dinner table or during a family meeting.
Create a seasonal bucket list filled with your favorite activities/ events that you would like to attend throughout the year and write them on the calendar.
Establish morning, after school, and evening routines. Empower your children by including them in the decision making process about what these times of the day should look like.
Establish a dedicated time for homework, ensuring a quiet and distraction-free environment.
Be present during your time with your children, leaving screens in another room to fully engage when you are together.
Prioritize family time - walks as a family after dinner, board game night, riding bikes.
Schedule time for your own self care. Planning out activities in advance such as regular workouts, going for a massage, reading a book or having lunch with a friend.
