1. Plan a trip
This is anchor of our summer. Planning a trip in advance allows for work to be rearranged and coordinating with family schedules.
Think back to your childhood and tell me you don’t remember a family trip or two. THAT’s the stuff childhood memories and our memories are made of. Make time and save money to do the trip.
It can be ANYTHING. This summer we are visiting my parents in Washington and then taking an Alaskan cruise with my husband’s family.
2. Take a Class
One summer when I was 9, my best friend told me to bring my mom to the base pool (we lived on a military housing base in Japan) to sign me up for swim lessons with her. Now, my best friend was extremely active. She showed horses and I remember her pride in her defined leg muscles from all of her athletics. Um…I don’t think I would be in the same class as you. She assured me that it was for all levels.
My Korean mom accompanied me to the pool that morning. My permed hair was down and I was wearing my new favorite neon blue and green floral swimsuit. Shocking to me, everyone was diving into the pool lanes wearing TYR suits and swim caps with goggles.
Before I could protest, my mom was signing her check and back on her way home, down the street.
I told the coach that I couldn’t swim! She said, “Show me what you can do.” I did a couple of strokes that resembled freestyle and then clung to the wall. “Just keep doing that,” she replied and walked back to the other end of the pool to announce the 20 lap warm up.
I arrived to every practice early so I could get the lane by the wall and I basically drowned every 4 strokes until I became a pro swimmer by the end of the summer.
Anyhow, this summer our kids are going to take formal swim lessons so that they can get the strokes down. I want someone else to teach them and I’ll reinforce at home.
It’s relatively inexpensive and the lessons are quick. Plus you can choose your weeks so it’s flexible without crazy waitlists like a lot of the camps around us.
3. Set a Routine
It’s really important for me to set expectations for the kids and be really clear on those expectations.
It keeps things happy at our home! I don’t want the kids to assume I want the table cleared after dinner and then be upset with them if they didn’t read my mind.
There will be chores, 20 mins reading time, personal projects/goals, instruction and free play.
I’ll have a checklist on the fridge for them to keep track!
Grab my free chore charts here.
This sounds militaristic in some ways and it is but that’s because it keeps a busy house running smoothly. The structure creates a confidence and stability here.
The energy and momentum is strong with a solid foundation. There is a lot less whining too!
Personal projects and goals might be: learn some guitar chords on YouTube or practice sewing.
Instruction this summer is going to include some basic cooking classes given by yours truly. I want the big kids to be confident about a few simple meals as well as some healthy eating education like going deeper on our understanding of how to manage glucose levels.
The kids will choose their own personal goals too!
On weekends we will take a break from the “schedule” and it will feel a bit more free.
4. Free Play
There will be lots of time for free play! Our kids love video games. We have an XBOX and they like Minecraft. It’s a really cool game where they can build worlds and it doesn’t have pop up ads which is one of my favorite things too! HA!
It’s also not as addictive feeling like some of the iPad games I’ve seen them like.
We save iPads for vacations or sometimes sick days. Otherwise they stay in a drawer.
We watch one YouTube show on bugs. YouTube is another thing I really keep to a minimum but I do want to use it for learning this summer!
We will also have playdates! I like to get a bunch of toys together outside. When their friends come over, everything feels new and interesting again.
I’m really into obstacle courses too!
Here is our AMAZON kids faves if you want some fun things to spice up summer.
We do daily pool time as well.
5. Parent Time
This summer I will be having a babysitter a few times each month for Chris and I to go on a date with baby or for me to get time to step out on my own with baby on a weekday.
That way he can focus on his work and I get out (with only one kiddo which is a lot easier).
For my work, I fit it in during naps. When our baby and 4 year old are napping, that is house quiet time! I can rest or work. I also do a little work at night when baby goes down for her first nap. My work overlaps as a hobby for me so I am very fulfilled by it and don’t see it as a chore.
I’m breastfeeding exclusively still at almost 5 months and I may start pumping soon to get little outings on my own soon but no solid plan on that. I like having baby close! At this stage it’s truly easier for me to be with baby in lieu of pumping/cleaning parts/storing milk etc. I’d rather use that time to rest or do other chores.
In Summary
I think it’s really important to provide the summer that is right for YOUR kids! That’s the best summer!
You may want to be home all summer or camps all summer long! When you feel confident about your choices, you have the best time. Your kids may have strong opinions about what they want to do to!
Think back to what you loved about your childhood summers or what you would have loved.
Kids are so amazing and easy to please in a lot of ways (not talking about that crazy picky toddler eating phase).
Fun little events like ice cream dates, water park, mini golf or a children’s museum get them looking forward to something throughout the summer. Maybe you have a calendar where everyone can see when the next event is or maybe you like to surprise them!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.