SALT LAKE CITY — With school just a few weeks away, moms can make the most of the remaining summer with recharged energy and meaningful connection.

Recover the Energy of Our Daily Routines

As mothers, we may not be aware of the day-to-day energy required to negotiate specific children’s emotional and physical needs, as well as run a home and family. Wonderfully, we can acknowledge and adjust it! Just for today, ask for one thing you need. Whether it’s 15 minutes to rest, help with dinner or running an errand.

The other day, three of my children had three different activities. I enlisted my oldest son to do the chauffeur drop for one, as well as two errands, while I focused on the other two and the baby. Rather than attempt to run everyone around, this way made it simpler and more enjoyable, and I only had to ask.

Another great recharge is to add on just a little sleep consistently rather than try to catch up in one big power nap during the week. Lifestyle coach and author Debi Silber, who wrote "A Pocket Full of Mojo: 365 Proven Strategies to Create Your Ultimate Body, Mind, Image and Lifestyle," suggests going to bed one hour earlier. She claims that makes a huge difference in waking with energy. For me, summer isn’t conducive to that, but on the few days that I tried bedtime of only 15 to 30 minutes earlier, I woke with more clarity and energy.

Connect with Peers

Moms need "playdates" in summer too, and those are usually the first to go in family functions we love. But the research on the positive effects of female friendship, makes it clear that we need to make the time. About this, an article on WebMD shares that female friends help women take better care of themselves, have higher self-esteem, feel more control over their lives, and experience lower cortisol (stress hormone).

VIDEO:

Studio 5: End of Summer Re-Charge

For an enhanced discussion on this topic, watch Connie Sokol's TV segment from Thursday's episode of "Studio 5 with Brooke Walker."

Recently, a friend invited me and my kids to a nearby splash pad. Though time was relatively short and our conversation was threaded with the usual children requests, we sat with our babies and chatted about topics ranging from daily life to spiritual progression. Both of us left recharged and ready for the rest of the week. Whether it’s a phone call or face to face, time with friends is key.

Create Conversation Through Reading and Sharing

About half-way through the summer it hit me that while my children experienced a power hour of intellectual stimulation, I was cleaning the house. Instead, during their reading time, I attempted to take some reading time too (with my baby helper). It wasn’t realistic to read a beloved biography, so we checked out children’s simple biographies, which are way more fun to read.

In the middle of reading about Maurice Sendak or Ella Fitzgerald, I found myself sharing excerpts about their lives: how Ella’s first big performance was a contest and there she stood, in army boots and a borrowed dressed, a homeless girl, with her voice cracking and the emcee begging the audience to give her another chance (which they did, and the rest is history). These “sharing” moments maybe aren't exactly as stirring to my children, but I love the joy of connecting with them through people's life experiences.

Use Daily Situations to Finish the Summer “To-dos”

Talking with other women I hear a familiar refrain of "Oh, it’s the end of summer, so we need to pack it in/get it done/check it off." But the ending/starting transitions can make us feel unnecessarily stressed. If you had projects or plans that didn’t pan out, well, there you are. There’s always next summer.

Meanwhile, enjoy the moments that come to complete the to-do lists. The other day I was sewing a ripped shirt when I realized I had wanted to review sewing skills during the summer but hadn’t. My girls happened to be in the room at the time, so I called them over. I reviewed with them how to sew a stitch and they helped me finish the shirt. It took all of 10 minutes but we enjoyed the spontaneous time and they gained a better life skill.

Hopefully, one thing on the to-do list is to soak it in. The other morning my baby slept later than usual. My first thoughts ran to the projects that I should be doing, all very productive and helpful for our family. But just then he roused from sleep and reached out his arms to me. I was undone. Within seconds I curled into his warm little baby body and we settled in for another 30 minutes of heavenly rest.

Vive le summer!

For an enhanced discussion, view the TV version of this article on www.studio5.ksl.com or www.conniesokol.com.

Connie Sokol is an author, speaker, TV contributor and mother of seven. Contact her at www.conniesokol.com.

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