Parents, summer is here and probably brings mixed emotions. I am sure there is so much you are looking forward to: longer days, vacations, and time off of work. If we are being honest, maybe the summer overwhelms you! There’s childcare to think about, trips to plan, and camps to budget for. If no one else has told you yet, let me be the first to say that this is going to be an amazing summer for your family and kids—we truly believe it! What your kids want more than a jam-packed summer full of constant fun and entertainment is simply time with you!

I know it is easier said than done but one major way you can commit to making this a summer your family never forgets is setting aside time to simply be together as a family! Here are four practical tips that may seem small but can have a huge impact: 

Limited screen time… for everyone!

This seems like a rule that is easily said to our kids but not so easily modeled by us parents. Set a time every night that your phones, and your kids’ video games and tablets, get shut off! Take this time to do devotions together as a family, go on a walk, and/or talk about the day! Let each of your kids take turns picking a themed dinner to make as a family for the night or a favorite place to go grab dessert. 

Invite your kids’ friends over.

Knowing who your kids are connected to is more than important. The old saying still rings true: you are the sum of your five closest friends. Use this as an opportunity to speak into their friendships. Learn about your friends’ families and the values that they hold. We believe that it’s important for your students to hear your thoughts about their friends, and you can’t do that without taking intentional time to get to know them!

Learn about your kids.

During times that you are together (and screens are off), think outside of the box with the questions you are asking and conversations you are having. Great questions are: What is God speaking to you? Who are your closest friends right now? What is something going on right now in life that is tough for you? How can I help you with that? What book of the Bible are you currently reading? What are you learning? 

Serve together.

Your students are being challenged this summer to give to missions in a greater way than ever before! Partner with them and help them be creative. Walk around your neighborhood and help them sell “Water for water”—selling cold water bottles for $1/each to raise money for World Serve (a Christian organization we partner with in Spyn that digs water wells in remote villages in Africa). Or, try making/selling bracelets to send money to rescue girls from human trafficking. These are great serving options for your family. There are also many options to partner with Mount Hope’s outreach ministry to serve the people of Lansing.

Remember, God hand-picked YOU to be the parents to your kids. Psalm 127:3 says “children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”  Show them the Jesus inside of them, set time aside to prioritize being together, and empower them to serve this summer. It’s going to be a summer for the books!