Maybe it’s the teacher in me, but every year I enjoy looking ahead to summer and having a basic game plan. I’m a big believer in having a plan so that you can flex and deviate but still have something to come back to when everyone needs a little normalcy. It also helps so much in the summer because there are just so many fun things to do!
I’ve done summer with up to 5 kids (and their friends) and have written about it several times. Visit the posts below for more!
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This year, it’s just me and Logan until little lady arrives in mid-July so things will look a little different. No matter what your circumstance, summer can be such a wonderful time to prioritize family and fun. Here are my top tips to thrive with your kiddos this summer!
Prepare ahead of time
Think about what you’d like to do, where you’d like to go, things you’ve already committed to. Get things on paper and into the calendar. Grab some basic art supplies, replenish the chalk supply, make a sunscreen/bug spray/first aid bucket, and double check that everyone has the water gear they need to enjoy the warm weather.
Don’t overdo it
Pinterest is great…until it’s not. Pick a few fun activities if that’s your thing and purchase supplies for them. Don’t feel pressured to have a pinterest-perfect summer – what fun is that?! Allow time in your days and weeks to just be – it’s really good for kids (and you – whether you’re at home full time or not!) – to learn to just be still, to enjoy what’s in front of them and to find ways to entertain themselves. Work in learning activities if that’s a priority for you and your kids or just set up a 30 minute quiet reading time. Whatever it looks like, don’t overdo it or overthink it.
Find free activities
Every area has free activities. Try out new parks, go to free movie days, check out local museums for free admission days, etc! Splash pads are also a great typically free activity to look for in your area and they work for a variety of age groups.
Get in community
Typically Bible studies and the like pause meeting during summer because there is a lot of travel happening. Find a friend you love spending time with and schedule one or two coffee dates throughout the summer. Get together with a friend with same-aged kids and commit to a playdate every other week. Connecting intentionally is so important to thriving and it sets a good example for your kiddos.
Decide to enjoy it
No matter if you work outside the home or from home or in the home – summer can feel overwhelming. Especially when your kids are typically at school! Choose to look at it as an opportunity to spend time together and make memories. Decide to enjoy it instead of dread it and you’ll be on your way to thriving.
Have a rhythm and be willing to be flexible
Develop a rhythm that works for you and your family in the summer. Typically summers tend to be less structured, which can be great. But kids still need to know what is expected of them in order to thrive (as do you!). If you’re home with the kids all day, having a general idea of how your day will flow will make your life much easier. If you’re home with the kids mostly in the evenings, knowing the priorities for your family will help you be intentional with the time you have. I’ve written about this before, so check those posts out here.
This year, I’m working on a few areas of our daily rhythm to make sure they are in place when baby comes. Nap/quiet time and morning/evening rhythm are both something that has changed a little now that I am at home full time instead of working.
I also love using the word rhythm instead of routine because it feels more flexible. It gives me something general to go by, fall back on and come back to when I start to feel crazy or sense that Logan needs more consistency.
Have markers in your day
When you’re home with kids full time, having markers in your day helps it move along. This is true not just in summer, but is especially helpful in those less structured times (and when you have littles AND school aged kiddos home).
Rest/Nap time
Quiet time is something that was always a non-negotiable for me when I was a nanny and it hasn’t changed as I’ve become a mom. Having quiet time in the middle of the day gives everyone a chance to refuel and refresh – including you! This will look differently depending on your kids, but I worked very hard to line up my littles naps so that everyone had at least an hour of overlapping quiet. In the past, I’ve used the rest time for daily reading, daily learning work, technology time post-chores, quiet time bins for toddlers, and of course naps for the littles. This is also the time I typically read a book, rest, do a quick chore, or get some computer work done.
Outside time
Outside time is major for kids in my opinion. We have so many indoor, technology options that some kids have forgotten how to use their imaginations and play outside! Take advantage of cooler mornings and go on a family walk each day. Head out to the pool at a certain time as often as possible. Set up a water table and encourage outdoor play for your toddler after nap (after the hottest part of the day). Set up an open ended game or activity and just let the kids run with it. It will help them rest better mid-day and in the evening, give everyone a chance to “get their crazy out” plus give them the benefit of fresh air.
Quiet Time Bins are something that I am still developing for Logan because his naps are getting shorter and I’m in the process of training him to play better alone for when baby comes. Here’s my pinterest board for some ideas!! Just remember, you can’t just give your kiddo the box and expect them to go to town. You’ll need to spend some time introducing the concept, the box, and the activities inside.
Meal times
Meals don’t have to be the exact time every day, obviously, but knowing about what time you want to have each meal will help you divide up your day and the prep work required. They also give you a time to tell your kids when they inevitable ask if they can eat…again.
Fill in time slots with what is fun for you and your kids! Something along the lines of … breakfast/outside time/activity/free play/lunch/rest/free play or a show/outside/activity/dinner
- Crafts
- Library
- Outside play
- Free play in rooms
- Water games
- Pool time
Decide to thrive this summer! Take some time to prep and you’ll have a great time with your kiddos. I’d love to hear your tips and tricks for thriving with your kiddos this summer, so comment here or send me a DM on Instagram!
I’ve done summer with up to 5 kids (and their friends) and have written about it several times. Visit these posts for more!