I have three school-aged boys and look forward to spending time with them in the summer. But the first week (or two) can be a little hairy. I find myself on edge, and since they don’t attend camp, they are also trying to figure out what these days consist of. – as in, how many snacks can I have before noon? So after the first week with a shorter fuse, I created a resource to pay attention to more of the good around me rather than the annoyances with the new routine. This 30-Day Summer Challenge will help us all pay attention to the good and redirect where we put our energy.
– and yep! I created a FREE printable resource for us to become more intentional with gratitude.
How to use the 30-day summer challenge
I created this 30-day summer challenge to help you become more intentional about finding the good. And because my creative side got out of control, I made FIVE templates for you. Print the one that you connect with the most.
When you catch your child doing something good (putting shoes away, washing a bowl, helping a sibling), recognize and record it. I like to keep the template on my nightstand to record immediately or on my phone if we are out.
FREE printable recording sheets
30-Day Summer Challenge
Subscribe to our newsletter and get these FREE Find the Good printables for your family to use:
- Connect with your family
- Increase awareness of gratitude
- Write down to pay closer attention to your child’s efforts
(If you are already a subscriber, you will not be subscribed twice. Enter your name and email to print!)
NOTE: You don’t need to record it all. Aim for one per day.
The goal of the 30-Day Summer Challenge
So why all the effort? When we pay attention to the good, we redirect where we put our energy. Writing down your wins helps you recognize the growth and happiness you may have lost.
Acknowledging what our child does well should result in a better overall experience throughout the day.
What will your family notice?
Note that the more intentional you become about paying attention to the good, the less that you find they are doing wrong.
After 30 days of focusing on wins and efforts, the idea is that recognizing them becomes a habit.
Let’s build habits worth repeating rather than reinforcing the ones we would rather not.
What are some other things kids can do this summer?
Summer at home with kids needs a plan in place. As much as I want to be the person who plays it by ear, it ends up in frustration.
You don’t need to become a cruise director of activities this summer. You do enough planning — I’ve done the work for you this time.
The Summertime Bundle has everything you need for parents and caregivers to inspire play.
What will your kids DO this summer?
Take the guesswork out of your days with the Summertime Bundle.
- Startup Guide creates your summer routine.
- Activity cards have easy activities.
- The PDF calendar puts your plan in place.
Summer with Kids activity lists
And if you are looking for a quick list of ideas for kids this summer, I’ve got that too!