Parenting Guru: A simply suburban summer
Don't get me wrong, I love the smell of salt water on my skin and the freeze of pina coladas on my brain. And if I didn't have 3 kids ranging from 6 weeks old to 5 years old, I'd be on a plane to Hawaii at this very moment. But I do. So this summer, we'll be making the most of being at home-in the all-American 'burbs.
Some of our favorite things to do include…
Playing in the Street
Plasma cars, scooters, sidewalk chalk and neighborhood buddies are afternoon favorites around here. I love the way cars yield to little ones riding their hearts out and-with a bit of help from some the world's greatest sidewalk artists-driveways turn into twisty and turny raceways that even the most experienced drivers can't get enough of. And on those days the sidewalk gets too hot, the grass quickly transforms to a water park.
Dancing in the Park
To me the telltale sign of summer is seeing kids of all ages letting loose at our local concerts in the park. Every Wednesday I throw some dinner rolls, cheese and sandwich meat in a bag-kept cool, of course, by a perfectly chilled bottle of wine-and head "downtown". We picnic on the grass, catch up with friends we haven't seen since this time last year and stay up way past our 8pm bedtime rocking out to music that has everyone on their feet.
Movies on the Wall
Heck, isn't summer all about staying up past bedtime? Around here we like to make a weekend habit of it. As often as possible, we BBQ with friends, and when the kids are done eating, we project a movie on the wall for them (love, love, love Apple TV). Once the cartoon's rolling, the adults enjoy a bit of kid-free conversation over a lovely summer evening breeze and dessert.
It turns out we don't have to get on a plane-or even in a car-to soak up all that summer vacation has to offer. The people and places we love are right here in our neighborhood, and the relaxed summer days and nights just remind us to enjoy them.
What are your favorite summer things to do close to home?
Amy is a Shine Parenting Guru. She also writes about her adventures as a new mom of 3 at her slice-of-life parenting blog, UsingOurWords.com.
