Summer and the Promises of a Slower Pace: 5 Ways to Slow Down with an Active Family

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Last Updated on June 30, 2024 by The Smetz Files

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In the weeks leading up to the end of school, I felt like we were shot out of a canon with so many events and activities.

There were awards days and field days at school. End of year celebrations with friends. Fifth grade promotion.

Final travel ball tournament of spring season. Softball playoffs and championships.

It was all just a blur of rushing from one place to the next, hoping we’d packed the right gear and enough water, and eating late dinners. Only to wake up and do it all again the next day.

I kept thinking, just a few more days and it will be summer. Summer will be slower. Am I kidding myself?!

In some ways yes, I am kidding myself! We’ve had the last two weeks off from sports. The week school was out we flew to Montana for a vacation/family wedding combination.

Now that we’re home, summer workouts start for baseball and softball. G is playing summer basketball. We’re loving lazy days at the pool. With the exception of no school, summer doesn’t feel too different from our regular schedule.

Last year I wrote about our family’s summer bucket list. This year here are a few things we’re prioritizing to enjoy a slower-ish paced summer.

• Reading
• Traveling
• Sleeping in
• Staying active
• Cooking

Grab a good book!

As a kid I was a reader. Admittedly, as an adult with multiple demands on my time and attention, I’ve not read as much as I would like. Last week on the plane I started a book and finished it within 24 hours.

That’s the thing about reading for me, I immerse myself in the book. I stay up way too late, reading just one more chapter. I wake up and begin thinking about when I’ll have a chunk of time to keep reading. When I find a good book I can sink my teeth into, it’s all consuming…and I love it!

Reading is a daily expectation for our kiddos. We can’t completely let go of all our good habits just because it’s summer! I ask that they read at least a half hour each morning once they’re up and moving.

G usually opts for biographies or nonfiction of some sort, while S is still loving the Baby Sitter’s Club books that I enjoyed as a young reader. Regardless of the what, I just want them reading and thinking a bit this summer!

Hit the road

We indulged a larger trip to launch the summer. We flew to Montana and spent time exploring new terrain with the kids. We enjoyed time well spent with family we don’t often see. It was a great adventure!

But travel doesn’t have to be a big, glamorous (and hello, expensive!) trip. We built in some time for weekend trips to local points of interests. We love going to the lake with friends to celebrate the Fourth. And because we’re close to the North Carolina coast, we have a trip to the beach to look forward to!

Don’t overlook local day trip destinations. Sometimes the adventure lies in the journey, so explore what’s close if you’re short on time.

Hitting snooze

This might be my favorite part of summer! I am thrilled that the early morning alarms for school can be silenced for a few months. We still get up at a reasonable hour to get our day started (some of us have to work!), but it’s a treat to postpone that wake up call for an hour or two since school has been out.

The kids enjoy sleeping in and having a leisurely start to their day. They also stay up later, so really it’s a balance. Summer days just feel less chaotic because they can sleep as long as they need to and reset.

Staying active

We can’t just sleep in and be a total sloth alllll summer! I’m maintaining my commitment to fitness goals and working out daily.

The kids also have training and conditioning to stay in shape before the fall season begins. So, on days they’re not practicing, we workout together at home.

Riding bikes and walking the trails in our neighborhood are also great for staying active and getting fresh air. When it’s super hot, an afternoon swim is perfect.

Experimenting in the kitchen

Perhaps one of the hallmarks of summer to me is cooking more. Before kids I would use time in the summer away from teaching to experiment and try new recipes. All these years later that tradition continues.

I love to grill. I find summer is a great time to try new marinades and different side dishes to mix in with our family’s standby favorites.

Now that the kids are older, they’ve become great sous chefs. They like to meal prep and frequently ask to help in the kitchen.

I love spending time with them this way. They select a playlist and we just talk easily as we move about the kitchen, mixing and prepping. Cooking has been a fun way to connect with them. You can find some of our favorite recipes on Fueling the Fam!

A slower summer pace

Now that school is out and the demands of youth sports are a little less intense, what are your family’s plans for maximizing the moment this summer and indulging a slower pace?!