In honor of today– summer solstice (aka the first day of summer)
When I think of my childhood, sometimes summer often meant pool days, swim team practice, cross-country conditioning at the crack of dawn, athletic shorts, bike rides, and Old Navy flip flops. It meant an annual 4th of July party at my best friend’s house and picnics on my grandparents pontoon boat. It meant jumping into lake water that felt like a bathtub and singing camp songs around a fire.
Summer overseas often looks different from how many of us grew up. Pool days are replaced with balcony water play. Kids’ sports teams are replaced with neighborhood cricket or football (American soccer) matches. Fourth of July firework shows are replaced with a cook-from-scratch potluck where expats gather to share food and fellowship wearing any red, white, or blue they can find.
Even though I have (and still will) mourn some of these differences, not only for myself but my children, I desire rhythms, traditions, and outdoor activities to look forward to in every season, no matter where in the world our family finds ourselves. In the States, it’s easy to live life by the season but here I have to be aware and intentional of the changes and holidays. Expats often have to get creative with almost every aspect of life and celebrating seasons isn’t any different.
In order to be intentional to get outdoors and enjoy the current season, whether summer or monsoon, I made a fun-list for families to work through. It was inspired by two wonderful movements aimed at getting families outside: 1000 Hours Outside and Run Wild My Child. Some of the activities might sound too obvious but things that are quite simple and easy to do in the States can be an absolute victory to achieve overseas.
Note:
Honestly, depending on where you live it’s not always possible to get outside. Maybe it’s dangerously hot. Maybe the pollution makes it unsafe. Maybe there is turmoil in the country and being out and about isn’t wise. I just want to remind you that you are doing a great job! Get out when you can. Get creative and keep enjoying this season. It might mean small adventures indoors or little victories outdoors but both mean intentional time with your kids and that is a win!
Summer
Monsoon or Rainy Days
Monsoon is usually June and July where we live so I made a monsoon or rainy-day list. The titles are different but the activities are the same.
There are definitely times when you can’t go out in the rain due to lightning, high wind speeds, and other unsafe weather conditions but, weather permitting, we can encouraged our kids to play outside–rain or shine.
We laminated our copies and taped them to the back of the front door to remind ourselves to get outside every day (rain or shine), invite people to join us, and embrace the season.
