Summer often arrives with high expectations—vacations, camps, barbecues, and endless activities meant to squeeze every drop of fun from the season. But in the rush to make it memorable, we sometimes forget to make it meaningful. What if this summer, instead of packing the calendar, we focused on setting gentle intentions?

Setting an intention is different from making plans or a summer bucket list. It’s not about checking off boxes but about choosing how you want to feel and experience the season. Maybe it’s connection, like more dinners on the porch with family or patio time with friends.  Maybe it’s calm, like taking walks in the morning before the heat rises or kayaking down a lazy river. Or maybe it’s presence in putting the phone away during playtime or truly tasting the first ripe tomato from the garden.

When we over-schedule, we trade spontaneous joy for structured obligation. Kids (and adults) don’t need every hour programmed. They need space to be bored, to rest, to imagine. Intentional slowness invites deeper moments of joy that aren’t captured in photos but remembered because of how they made us feel.

This summer, try asking: what do I want to carry with me into fall? Then let that guide your choices. Say yes to what aligns with your intention and allow yourself to say no when necessary.

Let this be the summer of less hustle and more presence.