As a working mom I always look forward to spending breaks from school with my boys. It feels great to not have to rush from one thing to another and spend some quality time together. We can have what turn into great conversations without thinking about the time and making our bedtime deadline each evening. We look forward to breaks in general, but especially enjoy the little things included on this list of things to do during school breaks:
Late nights together
We knock out our routine during breaks and we are so free-flowing. We stay up late watching movies or playing games. We might even just lay in bed snuggling and talking. Our life is so carefree. This bonding time is the best because we actually have great conversations that start, develop and end organically with no pushing from me.
Sleeping in
As the boys get older they are sleeping in more, even if it’s only an hour. They are able to lay in their bunks talking to one another and letting me get some extra rest myself….sometimes. If not, they come into my bed and I let them join me. One day, they will be too old to want to come and hang out with me. Take this bonding time for all it’s worth because it just goes way too fast!
We hit the movie theatre
We arrive early for the matinee showing and we enjoy the movie at our leisure. We don’t have to deal with the crowds or lines and everything is less stressful. The boys love it because it feels like VIP treatment – no lines and just go right in with a whole theater’s worth of seats to choose from. I often think about them someday going off to the movie theater without me so this bonding time over a movie is so important for me.
Read more books together
We also take this time to read more books together. With our schedules, time is so tight and all we read are textbooks and material assigned by teachers. What happened to reading just because? During break, we get to read more of what we each like and we can talk about it too. It’s great to share and unite in our thoughts about something new we have read or re-read an all-time favorite together as a family.
Taking time away from one another
It’s beautiful to spend time with one another but it’s also nice to give one another some space. Allowing your child to play and do his own thing is as valuable as you making time to do the same. You’ll find that a break from one another provides you with greater force to come back as an even better parent. We all need a breather right? So do children!
During break, anything goes. We may have some things planned but other things we take as they come and go with what just feels right. Sometimes when we are so consumed in our day to day lives, we lose focus on what’s really important. The breaks are the time where we refocus, rejuvenate and make one another even more of a priority. As we jump into this winter break, I’m giving you a reminder to take advantage of any extra time you may have with your children because life just seems to pass us by way too quickly!
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