I am working on this myself. Especially given the current conditions with COVID where nothing is really “ Normal”. I seem to keep finding myself having conversations with my 13 year old about ways to add fun into our days when so many things feel so strange.

I spent this weekend coming up with some new summer traditions that would be guaranteed “ Wins” regardless as to what is happening in the world and around us. I thought that it would be also fun to choose days of the week for each tradition ( not to mention the added benefit of KNOWING what day of the week it was! We all seem to be in this cloud of now knowing the date or day of the week! lol)

So, a few ideas that I came up with are the following: ( Keep in mind that all of these are simple but would give us things to look forward to and count on )

• Daily family walks with the dogs - Mon-Friday

• Campfire Night ! - Sundays

• Taco Tuesdays - Do I need to say which day? lol

• Outdoor Movie Night - Saturdays

• Flashlight night walks - Mondays

• Movie Night: Saturday ( for rain outs)

• Take Out Night ( letting rotating family members get their pick)- Fridays

• Picnic Night ( home or out ) - Wednesdays

• New Hiking Adventure - Saturdays

I would LOVE to hear if any of you have other ideas!!!!

Now I just need to put these ideas into action. What typically works with my family is to not necessarily announce “ Guess what? Mom has another great idea and list of activities !” They all know that I have a bit of an obsession of making lists and checking things off. So, I will simply start the day by asking if they are up for whatever that activity of the day might be.

My biggest hope again for this, will be that we can really start to embrace the time that we have together with family and friends and enjoy the small things that don’t depend on world circumstances. Whether you have a full house or are even flying solo, coming up with moments to look forward to and to count I feel is so important.

Tanya

”We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. “

~Frederick Keonig