Making Summertime Fruitful

Summer has begun; what's a mother to do? Ellen Mongan shares her ideas for a fruitful summer.  

You made the moon to mark the seasons, the sun that knows the hour of its setting. (Psalm 104:19) 

Memories of Days Gone By

One of my favorite memories of motherhood is the last carpool of each year, when I would pick up my children from school. My heart would leap as all my children piled into the minivan with a smile on their faces as we all shouted, “SUMMERTIME IS HERE!!” We’d celebrate by stopping at Dairy Queen for Blizzards. We could hardly contain our excitement! Let summer begin. We were ready! 

The following week, we would plan our summer goals together. We’d brainstorm places to go, people to meet, and things to do. Joy would well up in all our hearts as we kicked off a new beginning. We all looked forward most to the summer vacation, which Grandma Fran and my husband, Patrick, had carefully planned down to every detail.  

Yes, there is a time for every season under heaven. Summer is a time to enjoy life together, build family, and guide your children in virtue with God’s grace. 

Life Lessons and Spiritual Truths 

Summertime is the perfect time to pass life lessons and spiritual truths down to your children. After all, they are your first disciples. Are you cultivating virtue and sowing seeds in the hearts of your children? Are you reaping a harvest as a family, or have you let your heart become overrun with weeds that are choking out the good seeds sown? It takes time to reap a harvest of fruits of the Spirit in one’s life. For the Fruits of the Spirit to grow in one’s heart, it takes commitment to the Word of God and determination to live it out. It also requires grace and frequent partaking of the Sacraments. 

Grandparents Are Your Asset

Summertime is also a time to build, serve, and enjoy the grandparents. Maybe it would be good to include grandparents on your vacations. Host Sunday dinner and include them on the guest list. Let them teach your children a new skill and share their talents. Ask them to babysit or go shopping with you. 

What Shall I Do? 

What are good activities for a mother to arrange? Each summer is different, each parent is different, and each child is different. Take time to pray and seek the Lord to discover what your summer should look like. God sees you, knows you, and has a plan for your summer. Ask Him! 

Make your summer a time to enjoy life together. If you are feeling overwhelmed or overcommitted, take a moment to regroup. Pace the race. Do not race the pace. You may not make it to the finish line because you're trying to do too much. Remember, slow but steady wins the race. Making memories, building relationships, and growing in virtue should be the focus. No matter how you implement this into your family life, there is no right or wrong way. 

Flashback to the Past

My second favorite memory is the first day of school. That same mom who could not wait for summer to begin was now more than ready for summer to end. I was almost always on my last weary nerve when I piled those same children into the minivan! Enthusiastically, with that same cheerleader voice, I would shout, “FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! YEAH!” I’d try to hide my overjoyed expression by smiling politely and waving as I said, “I will miss you. Have a great day, make a friend, and be a friend!” 

As I drove away from the school in an empty minivan, I’d remind myself that all good things come to an end. This was only so that mom guilt would not take residence in my heart. Every mother will honestly attest that after a whole summer of parenting very active, not to mention loud, children and trying to teach and train them all day long and all summer long, she is exhausted. 

I would then stop to reflect with a well-deserved latte and recall the summer days now past, smiling to myself. I am always so thankful I took the time to build up my family. I know it will bear good fruit in due time. I am glad I did it that way. 

Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2025 Ellen Mongan
Images: Canva