Habits To Start With The Family This Summer

Thinking about what habits to start with the family this summer? You have a lot to choose from to get started! No matter what works best for the family, it’s guaranteed that it will positively impact both you and the kids and encourage more intentionality in your everyday life.

We know summer is the time to have endless fun underneath the sun. The season, however, can also be an excellent time for the kids to kickstart new habits before the school year, help the family grow closer together, and be an opportunity to increase productivity and well-being in your household! 

Now that there’s all this free time for everyone involved, you have more than enough opportunities to make the most out of it. 

Here are our recommendations on habits to start with the family this summer to increase wellness! 

Make an effort to go outside more.

With the sun blazing and the weather reaching a perfect peak of warmth, it would be a crime not to go outside with the family more. So schedule weekend get-togethers and indulge in a spontaneous plan now and again! In the summer, most of the community hosts events to cater to families, such as fairs, amusement parks, and so much more. In fact, Kamali’i, your favorite Riverside foster agency loves to put together events that encourage children to play, have fun, and get to know their community! You can subscribe to our foster parent newsletter so you won’t miss out on anything! 

Spend some time reading and visiting the local library. 

During those sweltering summer days where it’s just too hot to frolic outside, staying inside with the fans and AC on sounds divine. Take this chance to introduce summer reading to your child’s life if you haven’t already! The local library always has summer reading programs, events, and contests to encourage children to become lifelong bookworms. 

Incorporate healthier eating into your daily meals.

Every season bears its harvest of fruits and vegetables. So why not plan your meals according to what is grown at its peak season? If the kids are picky eaters, maybe preparing meals that taste best thanks to the summer sun will change their growing minds! While you’re at it, encourage the kids to cook all three meals with you to introduce them to the reward of preparing their food! Plus, it may make them more inclined to eat what they made themselves. 

Start a new family tradition that takes place outdoors.

Camping, stargazing, and visiting the beach–the possibilities for a new family tradition outdoors are endless! Plan a family camping trip, set aside a weekend to catch an ocean sunset, and opt for more walking. After a couple of years go by, you’ll have memories to look back on and appreciate; you might even find yourself saying, “They grow up so fast!”. But since those pictures and videos to capture the moment are on the horizon, don’t forget to wear sunscreen–which is a habit you should practice every day and not just for the summer! 

Maintain a steady sleep schedule. 

With summer freedom comes the pause on waking up early to go to school. Instead, remind the kids to keep a steady alarm clock and sleep schedule, although they get to embrace the next three months of a school-free life. Of course, as a parent, it’s a given that you need to get a whole night’s rest, too, so don’t forget to include yourself in this habit, too, if you’ve fallen off the proper sleep schedule bandwagon. 

Let the family be bored now and again! 

While there are more than enough activities to partake in, it’s important to remember that being bored is just as important as being productive. You don’t need to be doing something every moment of the day–even if you feel compelled to; teach your children that they don’t always need to be busy. Resting and doing nothing is necessary for mental health too. Summers tend to go by fast because you’re having so much fun, but don’t forget that the slow moments make it great too. 

Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. 

But speaking of boredom, if you become restless, expel that energy by exercising! Everyone needs a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise every day to encourage a healthy immune system, heart, and overall mental and physical well-being. In addition, we recommend activities that the entire family can enjoy together, such as biking, swimming, hiking, and walking. Also, try out kayaking or rock climbing if you want to be more ambitious!