The Reverse Summer Bucket List: Fostering Gratitude in Kids

Last Updated on April 4th, 2019

{Most summer bucket lists focus on packing in as many exciting activities as possible. This reverse version helps kids focus on gratitude}

I realized the other day that I have about 10 summers left with my oldest son before he’ll be off on his own (or at least partially). Ack! That really puts things in perspective.

On the other hand, I do not want to feel pressured to create 10 magical summers filled with awe and wonder. I just want us to enjoy the time we have together. As a stay-at-home mom, I have the luxury to have the one thing that can never be replaced–TIME.

So how do you balance the desire to make summers fun, but not overscheduled, overpressured and overdone?

The Value of Boredom

I have written before about the value I see in kids experiencing boredom. Summer is prime time for boredom. We have loads of free time, few scheduled activities and the weather is nice outside. I want to allow my sons time to just BE. Just to hang around the house, tinker in the yard, dig in the garden or build something out of a cardboard box.

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Getting them past the uncomfortable feeling of boredom is often a struggle. There is usually whining; perhaps some begging for a new book or toy. I have to remember to push through that feeling and let them work it out on their own.

However, this feeling bears down on me too. I sometimes feel bored and want to take them to do every activity or camp that’s available. Slow down, mama, I have to tell myself.

We often feel the need to entertain, direct, organize and otherwise “enrich” our kids’ lives.

This year I really want to focus on nurturing a sense of contentment…in my sons and myself. Compared to much of the world, we live in such luxury. We have healthy, beautiful food, comfortable homes, and an almost endless assortment of entertainment options.

Contentment Over Consumption

In such a culture, consumption has become a lifestyle. I feel this type of lifestyle breeds ungratefulness and that is one thing I do not want my kids to absorb from culture. As this author points out, “If your brain is focused on what you don’t have, then you’ll be unhappy.” At some basic level, we all want our kids to be happy. I’m hoping that focusing on gratitude instead of consumption will help them develop a sense of deeper happiness that is long-lasting and meaningful.

I want my boys and myself to feel like it’s just ENOUGH. It’s enough to just enjoy nature or a good book. It’s enough to just go for a morning walk and find a new bug that we haven’t seen before.

Many summertime posts are filled with ideas for new and exciting places to see or things to do. All these things that we “must” do before summer is over. This year, in lieu of the summer “bucket list” I’ve decided to put together something different.

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Based on an article I read that involved a reverse bucket list, this year I’m going to help my boys create a reverse summer bucket list. The idea is to list activities that we did in the past that brought us joy and contentment. I’m hoping just the conversation itself will inspire a sense of gratitude. Then, of course, if we feel like doing these things again, that’s great.

Here are a few things we came up with on our reverse summer bucket list:

1. played in the sprinklers until we got too cold and had to come inside

2. had a lemonade stand

3. went for a ride on paddle boats