{"id":129012,"date":"2022-05-26T15:44:43","date_gmt":"2022-05-26T21:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/?p=129012"},"modified":"2022-05-26T15:44:43","modified_gmt":"2022-05-26T21:44:43","slug":"how-to-make-a-soul-care-staycation-a-reality-even-with-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/articles\/topics\/parenting\/essentials\/making-memories-essentials\/how-to-make-a-soul-care-staycation-a-reality-even-with-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Make a Soul-Care Staycation a Reality (Even With Kids)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Summer break. Some parents welcome it with open arms. Others feel like it\u2019s more bricks, less straw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chances are, this past school year, you were plugging along at a good clip. The kids are ready for something fun, regaling you with friends\u2019 scheduled Disney or beach vacays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But maybe this exemplifies the split down your middle. I want to have fun with the kids! Let\u2019s make memories! <\/em>And on the other side? I\u2019m not sure I have a drop of fun\u2014or another car trip\u2014left in me. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time and space for soul care sometimes feels impossible for parents. But what if you could have your break-cake and eat it, too?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it\u2019s easier than you thought to make a soul-care staycation a reality. <\/p>\n\n\n

1. Step back and assess.<\/h3>\n\n\n

We\u2019ve created a Soul-Care Assessment<\/a> for you. Take stock of what\u2019s going right and what you\u2019re longing for.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than working around your most deeply felt needs, take them into account. Could your limitations be something to celebrate and treat with sacred humility, rather than constantly shove further? Pray about them, asking God to meet them. You might reflect on Him as Shepherd in Psalm 23<\/a>, asking Him to lead you beside green pastures and still waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind the old joke of the man stranded at sea. When a boat comes to his rescue, he refuses: \u201cGod will deliver me!\u201d He answers the same to a helicopter sent for him: \u201cGod will deliver me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the man dies of starvation, he asks in heaven, \u201cWhy didn\u2019t God deliver me?\u201d A voice answers, \u201cHe sent a boat and a helicopter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What ways might God be presenting your relief that you might be tempted to rebuff?<\/p>\n\n\n

2. Acknowledge the pressures you feel.<\/h3>\n\n\n

Is there an urge to keep up with the Joneses and their energetic, wow-that-sounds-exhausting, quality-time-filled camping? Or their family cruise? Is a friend treating her kids to a surprise-a-day? Are you a single dad who feels the need to compensate for the demands on his schedule? Though man<\/em>, it\u2019d be nice to have a day to yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God asks us to consider ourselves with sober judgment (See Romans 12:3<\/a>. What do I really have the resources to do?) and to not compare ourselves with other families (2 Corinthians 10:12<\/a>). Jesus also modeled taking time for prayer and solitude, so His work and ministry could proceed from wholeness in His relationship with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For our kids, can we set rhythms of making spiritual space?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recall, too, that parents around the world are struggling to feed their children on breaks from school. These families aren\u2019t child-centered. You don\u2019t need to feed a cultural sense of entitlement in order to make downtime meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have an opportunity to teach kids about healthy rest, living within means (in terms of energy, too), and finding meaningful happiness right where we are (a.k.a. contentment).<\/p>\n\n\n

3. Plan collectively, wisely, and with margin to address the needs of your family.<\/h3>\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to accommodate your youngest\u2019s fixation on the arcade, your teenager begging to sleep in, and the animal magnetism of the novel at your bedside that\u2019s been calling your name, personally and with feeling. But it\u2019s easier if, as a family, you have key discussions ahead of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But hold your horses. First, chat with your spouse about each of your needs, hopes, and limitations. Are you wanting connection time with the kids? A date night with each other? A morning to sleep in or a day to work in the shop? Get on the same page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning a recent family getaway, my husband and I were both surprised at what activities flew or flopped in the family vote. Without that discussion, we could\u2019ve spent a chunk o\u2019 change on some of the flops. And as a group, we shared more common goals than you\u2019d think (e.g., vegging out). Then, help set kids\u2019 expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDad and I are feeling the burn of the schedule right now. We\u2019re seeing you guys could use some down time, too. That means we\u2019re not going to have a nonstop summer break of tons of activities. Instead, we want to focus on the stuff that matters to each of us and work together to make happen what we can. If you\u2019re excited about an activity, you could help plan or propose a way to make it happen\u2014like looking for groupons, researching how much it would cost, or giving us a list of what you\u2019d need from the store.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could ask questions like these:<\/p>\n\n\n