You’re tired, you’re hot, you’re sticky. It’s summer and you just got home from work. Take a cue from your kids and use these four ways to relax, shed some summertime stress, and remember your kidhood roots:

1. Eat a popsicle. Seriously, when was the last time you had one? So what if they’re pure evil high-fructose sugar, you deserve one small cold sweet taste of childhood. Or make your own ahead of time from some yummy organic fruit juice. But don’t share if you don’t want to. And be sure to let some drip on your shirt.

2. Go barefoot. Remember summers when you didn’t wear shoes for three months straight? We all just ran around shoeless all the time, ow-ow-owing on the hot pavement, sighing with relief when stepping in shade or the puddle of someone’s lawn sprinkler. Kick your shoes off and step in the grass. Feel the earth’s living warmth on your feet.

3. Put your feet in the water. You know your kids go straight for the puddles, every time. Why not you? Your shoes are already off; just go for the water! Stomp in it. Make a splash! Better yet, haul out the kiddie pool, fill it up, and stick your feet in. Ahh. Get someone to bring you a glass of something with a little paper umbrella in it.

4. Just your feet?? We need some serious splashing here. Put the drink down, lure your kids close, and splash away. Or get out the water pistols (I know, I know, the gun thing, but go with me here…) and shoot everyone. So oddly satisfying, and it cools you off too. Don’t have water guns? I know you have a hose. Use it. Get everyone involved. Just be prepared for proper retaliation.

There. Feel better now? Repeat the process at odd times throughout the summer, and you’ll have a fabulous, cool, and childlike summer. Just like you used to.