#1-MAKE A CALENDAR
Summer is usually short on time, but tall on what it offers. Plan now by printing out a calendar and discussing as a family the things you want to take in. Ask, what are the top ten biggies for your family this year? In addition, I like to try and have at least one activity per day, just so that we aren’t faced with a completely unstructured day. It might be as simple as a library trip, but it just gives us something to plan the day around.
#2-BUILD IN R&R
Sometimes we over schedule summer, just because there is so much more fun going on around us. Try to be very deliberate with your planning so that you don’t over commit days or weeks.
Without a plan things can get away from you. You don’t have to have a rigid plan, but some loose traditions, like waffles on Wednesdays or take out every Thursday for lunch will ease the menu planning and also help your grocery shopping organization. Keep dinners simple, use your BBQ, opt for salads so you don’t heat up your kitchen, and who says you just can’t have sandwiches? Packing a picnic basket and heading to the pool for dinner is always one of my favorites.
#4-SET UP DESIGNATED MEAL & SNACK TIMES
It is easy to get away from the routine of meal times, especially snacks. But it is so essential since you will probably be spending more time at home. Nobody wants to feel like there is a revolving door going in and out of the kitchen. Also, try to eat at least one meal away from home during the day, rather at a restaurant or a picnic at the park.
#5-ASSIGN CUPS OR WATER BOTTLES
It will cut down on your dishes if you designate a cup or water bottle per day for each person in the family. I shared more about a simple system I use over here. Also, don’t be afraid to use some paper plates and / or cups now and then, summer is ALL about keeping it simple sister!!! *KISS*
#6-KEEP EVERYBODY WORKING
Just because it is summer, doesn’t mean the house is on vacation too. Summer is a great time to get your kids more involved in maintaining the home. Maybe assign dinner duty one night a week to one of your older children. Have them help you with yard work, or folding laundry. It might be a good time to teach and train them how to do more of the chores around the house. Many hands make light work!
#7-HOME LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Set up some learning incentives, whether it is a Summer Reading Program or watching an educational DVD series from the Library as a family. Summer should support what your kids have learned the last year in school. You can make your own incentives for the end of the summer, a special treat if they finish a workbook etc.
#8-GO AHEAD, MAKE A MESS
Let your kids play with shaving cream on the patio table, give them Popsicles while they play in the sprinkler, and if they want to paint, great! Just have them take it outside. That is the beauty of summer, you can take your mess outside and it makes the clean up usually that much easier. I serve a lot of our meals (lunches and dinners) outside for this very reason.
#9-HAVE LOTS OF PLAY DATES
To me having friends over keeps my own kids from fighting as much. Selfish maybe, but a win – win totally! Have them over, feed them outside and be the fun mom, start a dance party or something. Summer is a great time to foster new friendships.
#10-DATE NIGHT
Don’t forget to take time with just your spouse. Summer can be taxing in its own way, so build in some time for the two of you to get away and catch up. My parents have the tradition of taking our kids for a week in the summer, which is pure awesomeness, it allows us to just be a couple and go to dinner and/or movies, oh and wash the windows too! (Which believe it or not always feels so good to cross of the ole “To Do List!”)
My favorite memories of summer are the warmer nights, camping, lake/pool time, and lots of BBQ!
What are your favorite memories?
Happy Summer!!!
