Booking Time with Our Kids this summer can be natural and simple….and impactful.

Have you heard the acronym KISS, which stand for Keep it Simple, Silly or sweetie or whatever “name” you prefer :)? It’s become a mantra in our home…trying to keep things simple and not over-complicate! Life itself is complicated; “simple” is something we may have to intentionally seek and plan. We also like “less is more” but that’s a topic for another day!

We can create simple, uncomplicated moments with our littles by building in reading or quiet time for a few moments each day. Let’s give this time a simple name. Then, we can shut out the noise of the world and provide precious moments of peace.

We can create a little reading corner with pillows and blankets. Plopping together a summer “fort” may be added fun! Let the kids place their favorite books and puzzles inside. Suggest that they have quiet reading time each morning or afternoon, whatever works best with the schedule. We can crawl in with them, of course!

Evening stories could take place inside by flashlight. Fun, special, and yet so simple.

As we spend time time with our kids, whether it be reading or just enjoying outdoor adventures, we can use these simple moments to point them to the Creator. This too can be simple. We don’t have to over-complicate teaching our littles about Jesus. We can look at the sky and talk about God the Creator of the sun, stars and clouds and we can watch a lizard and talk about God’s cool design. We can hike through the woods and marvel at all the kinds of “life” we see- mentioning God’s purpose for each living thing. When we read bedtime stories, we can read simple Bible stories, exposing our children to truth and wonders! We can teach them from an early age about who Jesus was and is….and how each of them is “wonderfully created” and loved.

I was recently challenged by an author about the idea that our children are far more capable of understand spirituality than we give them credit for. If we start modeling prayer and showing them how to talk to Jesus, the spirit will lead. If we read stories of truth and hope, their hearts will understand. The gospel itself is simple, right? We complicate it with our own pride and opinions, but the grace that is offered to us through Christ is beautifully SIMPLE.

The older I get and get to live in this “Nana space”, I am craving sweet, simple, and peaceful. The grands love to swim, wrestle, build and create….but they also like to read. And the books they repeatedly seem to like the most are actually quite simple.

Simple moments in a simple nook with simple books….talking about Jesus, might provide the sweetest summer moments of all. As we Book Time with Our Kids this summer, let’s implement KISS and invite some “simple” into our lives.

Matthew 19:14: ¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

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