Slow the Summer Sprint: Make Time for Spontaneous Fun & Share It With the Tribe! by Mary Pat King

There it is: 2017-2018 finish line.

A few days until we end the race of “to do's” like scout patches, softball snacks, school events, science projects and more. So much more it takes a two-month wall calendar with a coding system only this mom can understand to keep us straight. (You've got one, too? Thought so.)

Summer stares at us with so much desire for spontaneity. She seeks a slower pace. She strolls in hoping to soothe our minds from our own senseless pace. Welcome summer, we’ve been craving you. But before we can sink ourselves into her splendor, we spike summer into a frenzy. Like fools, we fill her free time with camps, sports, summer learning, mini trips, long-trips, work trips, then…

BLINK.

“Time flies,” we say. “Make it slow down,” we beg. But still, we sustain our speed. We sign up for more. We say yes again. Before we know it, fall blasts off into full gear and here we go again. The next start line: 2018-2019 school year. Our minds scream “STOP.” But we can't stop time. We can only slow down our pace. We can: 

• Resist routine. Smear the plans. Shut down the schedule. 
• Embrace missing out. Say, “Sorry, not this time.” Support others who say the same. 
• Seize summer’s rejuvenating possibilities. Splash her with a mix of spectacular memories and soothing relief. Give spontaneous fun center stage. Squeeze in the rest.

Down the road, our hearts won’t ache for double-booked nights when dinner looks like a bento box of finger foods that don’t stink up the car. Our hearts will ache for their snuggles, their stories, their silliness – none of which we can predict, nor chart on a two-month wall calendar.

We can do this. Let’s savor what’s uniquely “ours” this summer. Let’s slow our pace to soak in spontaneous fun and re-energize for the next mile in this marathon called parenthood.

Join me in the 30Seconds #SpontaneousFun club. Let’s inspire and encourage each other this summer. Tag or tweet @30Seconds and use #SpontaneousFun to share your photos and tips for impromptu family fun.