Let Jesus Renew You This Summer

Emily Jaminet shares ten helpful suggestions for Catholic moms who feel overwhelmed by the long, hot season ahead.

Summertime brings with it an air of excitement and the expectation of fun vacations, but for parents, it can sometimes be challenging to drum up the funds or the time and energy to make such grand adventures a reality! As you ponder what to do this summer, it is easy to find yourself scrolling through social media, feeling a little bit envious of the vacations and travels of friends, and a bit overwhelmed with the idea.

When my seven children were young, the whole thing felt like a lot, from the expense of it to the logistics, but I finally learned that there are other ways to make summer special that don’t require travel to a major destination or taking out a second mortgage to finance the whole thing.

Here are ten suggestions that may inspire you to seek out some different ways to experience some fun and find rest and relaxation, regardless of your budget as Catholic parents.

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Rest and Play

Create a Summer Happy Place at Home.

Take an existing back porch or patio and make it special or put up a sports tent in the yard for the summer: anything to create a special spot set apart to gather for fun and relaxation as a family. The summer season invites us to create and cultivate beauty amidst the long days!

I love the saying, "If you build it, they will come." For years, I have been collecting unwanted outdoor furniture. These heavy cast-iron tables and chairs have weathered the course of time, and after acquiring them and painting them, I was able to add cushions to make them more relaxing. Over the years, I have added throw pillows, plants, flowers, great lighting, and a small water element! In the evenings, my happy place is right in my backyard or on the cozy front porch: perfect for family fun or prayer time.

Play Games, Indoors and Out.

One of the best things to pick up second-hand are games - from board games to card games, puzzles, backyard games like bocce ball and croquet, and even nets that are great for volleyball and bats for a friendly game of Wiffle ball. Now is the time to PLAY as parents. Our family favorite is Backgammon, a game that comes with its case, which we take with us and can often be found at your local thrift store. You can also easily get bubbles, chalk and create a meaningful and fun night right in your own driveway as well!

Light the Fire Pit.

Depending on fire restrictions where you live, summer fires are a great way to bring your loved ones outside or host a group of teenagers even on a warm night! We recently had a fun time with three families, enjoying hours of entertainment around the fire pit, eating smores and playing the guitar! The music ranged from praise music to country!

Enjoy Family Dinners Outside.

What’s for dinner? My Friday night backyard go-to is a charcuterie board featuring whatever I have in my house. This is a great way to enjoy the evening without fussing over food. Having crackers, jams, cheese, hard meats, and fresh fruit is perfect for any occasion and makes for a great snack or light dinner when friends or neighbors pop over to say hello. When you plan a night in, you not only save money on the cost of eating out or ordering take-out, but your back-up plan for dinner can be a real treat for others!

Unwind on Long Walks or Car Rides.

I have fond memories of sunset drives with the kids in the back of the car, especially in late summer. Summer is the best time for an evening drive, as you can roll down all the windows and let the children enjoy the fresh night air. This is true for a long stroller walk or bike ride, as well. When our children were young, we got into the habit of loading up the stroller and walking around the block a few times while the older children rode their bikes. This is a great way to slow down, relax, and unwind. It is easier to talk about your day in motion and keep you from circling about the same sensitive topics, like what is going wrong with our parenting.

Take a Family Hike.

Plot and plan a great place to hike! I highly recommend a hiking excursion when traveling or having a staycation. It's always nice to go out into nature, whether it's a local nature park or a full-blown hiking outing. I recommend packing bug lotion, sun lotion, a cooler full of cold drinks and food for after the hike. Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati and Saint John Paul II were both avid hikers and always encouraged us to connect with God through nature.

Prepare for "I'm hungry!”

The summer months are the perfect time to anticipate crazy schedules and lots of extra outings! I recall picking up my son from summer camp and having a full feast in our car, complete with a pitcher of fresh lemonade. We went from being a Catholic family on a budget to the envy of everyone in the parking lot! The more we prepare for our suddenly hungry children, the more we can stretch our summer budget.

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Renew Your Spirit

Always Bring Jesus Along.

If it's a road trip to a sporting tournament, remember to bring your holy items, such as an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus told Saint Margaret Mary, "Where my image is exposed and honored, you shall be blessed." These words ring true when we are traveling! I have not only a holy image, but religious books, my journal, rosary beads, and prayer books on hand to make our travels a mini-retreat. As we plan fun, let's always include our faith!

Plan a Family Pilgrimage.

My husband and I have continued the tradition of trying to go on a yearly pilgrimage, whether it's traveling to Europe, the Holy Land, or just a local shrine. We love to take our children to important places of healing and grace and share the stories of great saints and holy clergy from the past. These Catholic shrines and pilgrimage sites are located throughout the United States, and we highly recommend making an effort to visit as many as you can to experience the grace and spiritual benefits of taking your children to Mass at a beautiful shrine.

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Recently, we visited Saint Joseph’s Oratory and the Shrine of St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Montreal, Canada while spending a week in Vermont with friends. If I’m honest, it would have been difficult to get everyone excited to travel that far to just visit holy sites, but by tacking them onto an existing trip, it was a bonus that left everyone feeling glad we took some time out to pray at some truly special places.

Pray Together: Family Prayer is the Key to Family Unity and Family Blessings!

Creating a warm, cheerful and joyful home makes it a refuge where prayer, playing, resting and relaxing becomes part of the healing balm of just being at home. Consider daily morning and evening prayer during these warm summer months to lay a solid foundation for the rest of the year. Carve out time for prayer, like the Holy Rosary and praying prayer intentions to help everyone grow in the faith.

Growing up, my best summer memories weren’t from big vacations but from a game of backyard croquet, long family dinners on the patio, and simple fun with my family like a game of cards on the back porch on a hot evening. I’m now trying to pass that on to my own children.

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The next time someone asks you about your big plans for this summer, consider taking a big breath and saying, “We are choosing to spend time relaxing and creating some great memories right in our own backyard!” Let the good times roll all summer long!

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Let Jesus Renew You This Summer