ahh Summer

I am so looking forward to summer. Lazy days spend with my kids. This year we have a pool. So thankful for that.

The benefit of a big family? You always have someone to play with, especially when everyone is close to the same age! You don't need friends for entertainment. (altho for some reason the neighbor kids always end up here) .

We don't do a lot of summer camps or sports. We are working on connecting and bonding as a family. My kids are all at a fun age and they truly enjoy each other. I have to let go of the mom guilt that comes with not signing them up for all these fun things all their friends get to do. It is a choice I make. A choice to keep them home with me, making fun memories that will be woven into their very identities for life and for future generations. It can be a hard but it is a good thing.

I also find that having them work for about 2 hours in the morning gives them just enough structure to really keep them out of trouble and keeps our household flowing smoothly..

My kids learn about compromises and working together. They are learning how to make relationships work, even with siblings who get on their very last nerve. They are learning the joy of just "being", of enjoying each other's presence and all the other fun stuff that goes along with sibling relationships. 

  

We have to confront and deal with "problems" because we are together every day. We have to make a choice to have fun  or pay the price for ruining the fun. It is important to create calm, healing moments for kids who come from hard places. Sitting in the sun, eating popsicles with your siblings does more then any therapy, especially if you had a hard day and these siblings saw you at your worst and still love you.