{"id":4096,"date":"2012-05-16T17:38:11","date_gmt":"2012-05-16T17:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/?p=4096"},"modified":"2016-05-31T06:12:44","modified_gmt":"2016-05-31T12:12:44","slug":"what-a-hands-free-summer-looks-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/2012\/05\/16\/what-a-hands-free-summer-looks-like\/","title":{"rendered":"What a \u201cHands Free\u201d Summer Looks Like"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"feet<\/a>When I started writing this blog, I made a promise to myself. I vowed to be the real deal<\/em>\u2014meaning whether I am being Hands Free or writing about being Hands Free, I promised to be open, honest, and authentic about my successes and shortcomings on this journey to grasp what really matters.<\/p>\n

Simply stated, there is no faking Hands Free; there is no half-way Hands Free. Either I\u2019m distracted or I\u2019m present. Trying to mentally and emotionally exist in two places at once is like trying to live life with one hand. And I tried that for two long, draining years\u2014it doesn\u2019t work. I have found that I can only grasp what really matters in life with two free hands and one committed heart.<\/p>\n

So with that said, I\u2019ve come to a decision about summer. And I share it with you because we all have responsibilities that beg for our time, attention, and energy.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Whether your work involves sitting at a desk or never sitting down\u00a0 \u2026 whether you do your job in a tailored business suit or a rotating set of yoga pants each with their own unique stain \u2026 and whether you are Type A or so \u201cchill\u201d that everyone wants to know what is in your coffee, we all want to do the things that matter to our children in the precious time we are given. In other words, we want to do the things that will stick with them, shape them, and cause them to look back on their childhood with happiness.<\/p>\n

So what exactly are<\/strong> the things that kids remember? Would you believe there is a list of such items derived from children themselves?<\/p>\n

When I stumbled on this list of what kids love their parents to do, I felt as if I discovered the proverbial pot of gold at the end of a \u201cHands Free\u201d rainbow.<\/p>\n

\"Catching<\/a>
\nA wise teacher named Erin Kurt happened to have the insight to ask her students what they most liked their parents to do with them. She asked this same question every year for 16 years and from these responses she revealed, \u201cThe Top 10 Things Kids Want From Parents<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Be prepared to be surprised.<\/p>\n

Be prepared to be hopeful.<\/p>\n

Be prepared to give yourself a celebratory high five, because the news is good, my friends.<\/p>\n

And if you are like me, you might even have unexpected tears. Because the things your kids will remember are a lot easier to do than we often overly-pressured parents have been led to believe. And you might already be doing some of them.<\/p>\n

The Top Ten Things Kids Really Want Their Parents To Do With Them<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Come into my bedroom at night, tuck me in and sing me a song.\u00a0Also tell me stories about when\u00a0you were little.<\/li>\n
  2. Give me hugs and kisses and sit and talk with me privately.<\/li>\n
  3. Spend quality time just with me, not with my brothers and sisters around.<\/li>\n
  4. Give me nutritious food so I can grow up healthy.<\/li>\n
  5. At dinner, talk about what we could do together on the weekend.<\/li>\n
  6. At night, talk to me about about anything; love, school, family etc.<\/li>\n
  7. Let me play outside a lot.<\/li>\n
  8. Cuddle under a blanket and watch our favorite TV show together.<\/li>\n
  9. Discipline me. It makes me feel like you care.<\/li>\n
  10. Leave special messages in my desk or lunch bag.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Isn\u2019t it simple?<\/p>\n

    Isn\u2019t it beautiful?<\/p>\n

    Isn\u2019t it achievable?<\/p>\n

    This list inspires me so much that I taped it to my fridge. It serves as a reminder that it\u2019s the small things<\/strong> we do as parents that mean the most, and it is those very same things that our kids will remember when they are grown.<\/p>\n

    Most of these actions are fairly simple if (and this is a big IF) I am not tied to my distractions. I am referring to external distraction in the form of electronic devices, computers, to-do lists, and exploding calendars. I am also referring to internal distraction like pressure for things to look or be a certain way, thoughts of inconvenience, fear of messes, and guilt over past mistakes and lost opportunities\u2014all things that prevent us from living in the moment and grasping what really matters.<\/p>\n

    But when I compare the distractions in my life to the things that matter to children, it quickly puts my distractions in their proper place on the priority list.<\/p>\n

    So based on this newfound knowledge, I\u2019ve decided exactly what I want my summer to look like. Because the simple fact is this: I hold the power to determine what my family\u2019s summer will look like based on the choices I make. But be warned, some of it may not look pretty.<\/p>\n

    This summer there will be \u2026<\/p>\n

    Less clean surfaces and more projects that reach across the table for hours \u2026\u00a0 maybe even days<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Less drawer usage and more piles<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Less keyboard typing\/online activity and more old-fashioned notebooks\/face time<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Less treadmill running and more unconventional forms of exercise<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Less hours spent in the kitchen and more casual picnic dinners on the patio (popsicles included)<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Less baking perfection and more helping hands<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Less formal sheet music and more playing of the tunes within our heart<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Less watching of Netflix and more watching of the storms roll in<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Less \u201churry up\u201d and more \u201ctake your time\u201d<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Less time spent on appearance and more hats on unwashed hair<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Less sitting on the side and more jumping in to the action<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    As you can see, living Hands Free is not always pretty. It\u2019s not always organized. It\u2019s often not efficient or productive, and it\u2019s definitely not perfect, but I can breathe; and I can laugh, and play, and feel joy\u2014which are impossible to do when I am tethered to my device, constantly trying to pick up the mess, and stressing out over details that won\u2019t matter 10 years from now.<\/p>\n

    Now at this point, I could wrap this post up in a warm and fuzzy bow and have every intention of following through on my summer vow. But I promised to be the real deal<\/em> when I write in this space I call \u201cHands Free Mama,\u201d so let me give you some realness.<\/p>\n

    I know me.<\/p>\n

    I come from a long line of overachieving workaholics. I have a tiny drill sergeant in my head that tends to drown out my Hands Free inner voice with demands of productivity and perfection.<\/p>\n

    So what I need is a little accountability. And I happen to know two summer-loving people who can hold me accountable.<\/p>\n

    So I wrote a contract\u2014a Hands Free Contract\u2014<\/em>and presented it to my kids. I explained the situation of a published book coming close to fruition, but also my deep desire to keep my Hands Free priorities in check. (update: book is now published<\/a>!)<\/p>\n

    And just as you would expect from the true experts on grasping what matters, the ones who taught me everything I know about living Hands Free, they looked the contract over carefully.<\/p>\n

    And with every Hands Free summer goal my children read, the wider their smiles became. \u00a0They even whole-heartedly agreed to do their part to help me to be Hands Free (such as, helping with household chores, meal preparation, having positive attitudes, and cooperating with each other).<\/p>\n

    After we all signed the contract, I felt it was important to post it in a prominent location for us all to see. And when I stood back to view it, I got a glimpse of the future.<\/p>\n

    I envisioned a wise teacher asking my beautifully grown daughters what they remember about their very favorite summer.<\/p>\n

    They didn\u2019t say the summer they went to Disney World.<\/p>\n

    And they didn\u2019t say the summer they got their ears pierced or got the latest and greatest\u00a0electronic device.<\/p>\n

    It was the summer we played countless games of Euchre, visited with elderly folks at the nursing home, and made fresh squeezed lemonade despite the mess it created. We caught lightning bugs on our fingers and had perpetual grass stains on the bottom of our feet.<\/p>\n

    It was the summer their mama could have spent hunched over the keys of her computer, but she didn\u2019t. Instead she chose to live, laugh, and love her family through the unforgettable gift of her presence.<\/p>\n

    ******************************************************************<\/p>\n

    Update: After reading this post, many people asked to read my \u201cHands Free\u201d summer contract so I've included it below the photo of the contract. Keep in mind this is based on my family\u2019s interests\/goals, as well as my personal areas of distraction weaknesses that need accountability. Every family\u2019s contract will look a little different based on their own individual circumstances. (Also, if your children use electronic devices and you'd like them to have a ‘hands free' summer,\u00a0you may want to read my post, “An Invitation to Save Summer From the Screens<\/a>.”
    \n<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

    \"The<\/a>

    The “Hands Free” Summer Contract<\/p><\/div>\n

    My \u201cHands Free\u201d Summer Contract:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I want to do more\u2026<\/h5>\n
    -fun projects (science, arts & crafts, gardening, jewelry making)
    \n-exercise together (tennis, kickball, walks, swimming)
    \n-picnics & easy dinners that we make together
    \n-practice ukulele in nature \u2013sing to the birds
    \n-watch the weather, storms, rain, rainbow spotting
    \n-sit down and relax\u00a0more – have “do nothing” moments
    \n-get rid of excess \u2013 buy less, give away unneeded things to charity
    \n-play on the floor –\u00a0Barbies and board games
    \n-think of others \u2013 make cards, bake goodies for people, pray for people in need
    \n-remember things don\u2019t have to be perfect!<\/h5>\n

    Other goals \u2026<\/p>\n

    -when I get lost driving \u2013 stay calm
    \n-get a good night\u2019s sleep (7 hours goal)
    \n-be patient\/cheerful\/thankful
    \n-be spontaneous \u2013have fun, not so serious<\/h5>\n
    (adult signature here) ________________________________<\/h5>\n
    In order for me (parent) to be \u201cHands Free\u201d and meet my goals, I need you (the kids) to \u2026<\/h5>\n
    -have positive\u00a0attitudes
    \n-help with household duties (be specific here)
    \n-follow directions first time asked-cooperate with me and each other
    \n-be grateful and\u00a0thoughtful
    \n-play quietly when situations arise that I do need to get my adult duties accomplished<\/h5>\n

    (both children initial here) _____________________________________________<\/p>\n

    *A word of warning:<\/strong>\u00a0The minute your child signs the contract, you may have a request. My younger daughter\u00a0said, \u201cI don\u2019t want to wait for summer. Can we start now?\u201d<\/h5>\n

    *The book\u00a0I\u00a0referred to in the post\u00a0is\u00a0HANDS FREE MAMA<\/a>, which went on to become\u00a0a New York Times Bestseller. It describes\u00a0all the steps I took to transform my distracted, hurried, perfectionistic life. I have also written a second book, HANDS FREE LIFE<\/a>\u00a0which details 9 doable daily\u00a0habits that bring more presence, peace, and acceptance into your heart and home.\u00a0Thanks for being part of\u00a0The Hands Free Revolution<\/a>!\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"Books<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    When I started writing this blog, I made a promise to myself. I vowed to be the real deal\u2014meaning whether I am being Hands Free or writing about being Hands Free, I promised to be open, honest, and authentic about my successes and shortcomings on this journey to grasp what really matters. Simply stated, there […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6704,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[229,18],"tags":[573,771,13,249,769,772,770],"gutentor_comment":194,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0839-e1451697257323.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1fUJF-144","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4096"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4096"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4096\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}