Have fun this summer!
A bingo card to help you with some ideas.
Last summer, I talked about how my family makes a Summer List of Fun that we try to complete together. We have been talking about this year’s list and considering/reconsidering how we define fun, because my son is 15, and this is a great summer for him to learn some fun new skills like grilling my dinner. (And some less fun skills like laundry and changing a tire.) Some of those are going to go on our list as we are looking at how our summers together are dwindling, with the hope that teaching important skills can be a fun thing we do together.
But don’t worry, we do have some great fun planned besides learning how to be a human. We are looking forward to our long summer days together and have managed some fun lunches and even Top Golf after exams this week. I did take Monday off to go to the zoo and get my steps in and I did finally get a chance to feed the giraffes, which I had wanted to do two summers ago.
Meredith Miller talks in her work about the idea of “family warmth.” Basically, kids are much more likely to want to take on the faith of their families if they feel affirmed and supported and connected. My husband and I weren’t thinking of that in particular when we created our Summer List of Fun but it resonates deeply that enjoying being together is a great first step when it comes to sharing your values.
Inspired by one of Meredith’s recent posts, I created a Bingo card for the families at my church to approximate what we do with our Summer List of Fun. I am happy to share it with you although I admit that I didn’t edit it to make it less tailored to my church, but you are still welcome to use it.
It is nice to have a reason to go and eat ice cream, and to notice fireflies, and to look for a new playground. I am sharing it here in case you might find it useful. If you aren’t in the area, I can’t give you a prize, but maybe you can determine a prize that works for your family (I am giving out hacky sacks and ring pops).
If you do use the Bingo card, please let me know! But most importantly, I hope you have fun together this summer.