School supplies are in the stores and back-to-school emails have started coming in. As much as I want to live in denial, the summer will be over before we know it, and it is going by too fast! My high schooler and middle schooler are already back in the swing of sports practices, and my preschooler will be starting his first season of flag football in just a few short weeks. I love the fall and can’t wait to cheer for each of them, but I’m already mourning the end of summer. This time of year is bittersweet because it’s a stark reminder of how quickly time is passing by. My oldest child got his license last week and now we have unlocked a whole new level of freedom and worry. It seems like it was last summer when I was signing him up for preschool sports and now we are starting to think about colleges! There is so much to plan for, and I am struggling to find the balance between planning for the future and embracing the present.
I can’t slow down time, but there are a few things I am doing to soak up these last few weeks of summer while also preparing for school:
Making summer memories as a family.
Everyone has a busy schedule, even in the summer, so it helps to plan activities we can all enjoy together. Between work responsibilities, separate travel for sports or church group, and the kids spending more time with friends, it’s not often that we are all in the same place at the same time. That means it’s even more crucial to prioritize family time. We are so blessed in Knoxville to have such beautiful outdoor spaces, and we have been making the most of the lake this summer. We also love the pool, beach, putt-putt, bowling, movies, amusement parks, baseball games, or even s’mores in the backyard. It requires compromise to keep everyone entertained, but I am thankful for the time we have together.
Spending one-on-one time with each child.
Before the summer ends, I also want to spend more quality time with each child individually, doing something they love to do. My oldest loves playing golf, fishing or being on the lake, and going to restaurants; my daughter and I love shopping or getting our nails done; and my youngest loves the park, splash pad, or zoo. This one-on-one time with each child is so precious because it’s a chance to talk to them without our phones or other distractions and to do something fun. It doesn’t even have to be a big event. Sometimes I will just take one of the kids on errands with me and get ice cream on the way home. I’m just happy that they will still spend time with me and hope to continue this tradition long after summer ends.
Easing back into routines.
Yes, I want to plan for the future, but I also want to enjoy the present. I am thankful for a couple more weeks of summer and time to squeeze in a few more memorable moments. I don’t want to take these days for granted, because I will blink again and these days will be over!
