Schools Out for Summer!
Summer is finally here and my children are so excited! Every year as summer approaches, I start to overthink it a lot! Scheduling out every moment. Planning out various summer camps and vacations. Deciding if we should do summer school work to avoid the “Summer Slide.” Do we keep a bedtime routine? What snacks to have on hand for my children’s summer stomachs? New Swimsuits, beach towels, pool toys, goggles, and sunscreen – must remember to buy sunscreen!
I thought about what kind of summer I wanted us to have this year. We are a two-parent working household, so weekly summer camps are a must. But, I am determined to have a Cool Fun Mom Summer and make lasting memories with my family!
Cool Fun Mom Summer Checklist
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Plan on playing hooky a day or two from work. Use a few PTO days to do something as a family that normally would have to wait until the weekend. Picnic and pool day, spa day, zoo day, or take a long weekend for a quick family vacation.
The Chores Can Wait. Entire weekends will not be for cleaning the house or trying to play catch up with all the laundry. Friday nights will be designated for that, leaving the rest of the weekend open for fun.
Weeknight Fun. Plan on taking full advantage of the sun going down later. Jam-packed weeknight playdates, such as an evening at the neighborhood pool, cookout in the backyard, afternoon bike rides, chalk murals, and snowballs.
Summer Loving. My oldest is almost 13, so needless to say she isn’t interested much in what her 5-year-old sister wants to do. Taking the time to plan one-on-one weeknight or weekend dates with each of your children. Get with them and plan an activity to do together. Summer bonding activities can be as simple as going to get ice cream, throwing the baseball/football in the front yard, or heading to the library.
Soak. Up. Every. Second. In theory, this seems so simple. But it takes work to not over-commit by thinking that every second has to be scheduled. Instead letting yourself just go with the flow, enjoying the summer break. Soon enough it will be back to the hustle and bustle of school buses, homework, and after-school activities.
