Summer Holidays
Parenting Never Takes a Holiday
We often look to holidays for the answer to lots of life's problems: we won't be so busy, we won't be so stressed, the kids won't have school, we'll be somewhere nice... Some of that is true of course, but let's be real, when you go on Holiday you're still a sinner and so are your kids. So most of the issues that you had before come with you and are still there when you get home!
That's not meant to depress us but to remind us that our only hope in life and in death (and on holidays) is Jesus, that we belong to Him body and soul. So, for our holidays, let's keep seeking to find our rest and refreshment in Him.
It's true of our own spiritual lives but it's also true of our children's spiritual lives: when it comes to spiritual things, home schooling did not end in March. The spiritual formation of our children is always going on at home, on holiday and even at the beach.
Schedule
If you are anything like me, you get on holiday and all schedules go out the window. How about having one immovable item in the diary each day? With an ice cream or the treat your family most enjoy and at a time that suits you, do something spiritual together.
Personal
Don't neglect your personal Bible reading and prayer. Make sure that you invest time on holiday with the Lord. Set aside half an hour a day to pray with Him.
Encourage your spouse to do the same.
Church
No matter where you are you can gather with God's people on Sunday. You might be able to ask someone for a recommendation for a good church, or look for one using this network of churches if you are in the UK.
In The Car
Get some music like Dumb Rocks or Awesome cutlery if your kids are younger and sing along.
Or, if you have older kids, listen to some talks from a famous preacher, or an audio book that you think would do you all good.
Memorise
Hiding scriptures in your heart is a wonderful thing to do.
As a family you could learn a Psalm together. Psalms 1, 8 or 23 might be good ones to start with.
I bet you'll have conversations about what it all means!
Just Talk
Take the opportunity to talk now that you have unhurried time together. Don't rush off to the next activity, build time in to ask your children what they think about Jesus? What do they like about Him? What questions do they have? Keep talking!
A Podcast
This is a podcast all about Summer Holidays and some of the joys and pitfalls that come with the territory.
It's well worth a listen for everyone with kids who's about to head off on holiday.