Make it a summer to remember

Pack the bags and catch the next plane to nani house. That was a simple summer plan. No agenda, no aggressive planning and no over-productive days. We basked in the sun, we ate tonnes of mangoes, hovered around nani to cook us meals at odd hours and choreographed dances to celebrate special days.

For most of the vacation, our moms had no clue what their kids were doing. It was our summer and our plan. The scenario has changed drastically. Most kids are in classes trying to get a lead on the upcoming academic year or shuttling from class to class to help their moms stay hands-free. If not, I hear their mothers ask them constantly, “What did you learn?” Did you notice? This is what they are telling us. Leaving no room for unstructured observation and the time to process. Basically then, the summer is a continuation of a regular school day. Listening and learning through authority figures.

Let summer be an experience. Go back to the unstructured chaos of life lessons.

Go build connections

Let’s not underestimate the magic of simple connections. Sleepovers at a cousin’s house, mangoes with nani on a hot afternoon, or helping dadi with household chores. These moments may not look like “productive activities,” but trust me, they are the ones that ground our children and serve as the foundation of so many interpersonal skills in the long run. By letting them spend time with relatives and even friends, you will encourage the growth in their future relationships. By letting go and giving up monitoring, they get to organically experience warmth and the comfort of belonging. And honestly, they give us a breather too, knowing they are safe, loved, and happy building their own little circle.

Experience, explore and allow it to simmer

Take them out to experience new things. New places, new food, take them for a noon or helping dadi with household chores. These moments may not look like “productive activities,” but trust me, they are the ones that ground our children and serve as the foundation of so many interpersonal skills in the long run. By letting them spend time with relatives and even friends, you will encourage the growth in their future relationships.

Do nothing (and why it matters)

Now here’s the tricky one -doing nothing. Not being on a screen, not being in a class, and not even being told what to do. Just lying around, daydreaming, complaining of boredom, and then figuring out what to do with it. This empty, slow, and uneventful space is actually golden if you really look at it. This is where imagination brews, creativity takes shape, and the art of doing nothing on some days becomes normal in this fast-paced world where your worth is measured by how busy you are. While we all focus on teaching things to our children, teaching them to do nothing is an absolute and urgent need of the world right now.

And when you are done doing this, plan a dinner date as a family. Talk about your highlights, journal your summer and then set the goals for the year.

Manifest your goals

Teach the kids to set goals by setting simple targets and talking through the steps to achieve them. Last year, my son promised himself some accolades in table tennis and he achieved them. Having set clear targets helped him align their focus.

Summer for me is the time to break away from routine. A time to rest, reboot and reset. With a clear mind and free time, you gain the flexibility to think and visualise your future. This power is what fuels the year. Hence, use your summer wisely. Make the most of it. Make it a summer to remember.

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