How to Enjoy Summer Vacation Without Losing Your Mind, Part 1
The new Mighty Mommy has 5 expert tips on how to keep your kids happy and busy during their summer vacation, while keeping your sanity.
Summer vacation should be a relaxing time for families. After months of heavily-filled schedules, stressful school days, and hardly any time to connect as a family, the 10 weeks of summer should bring lots of carefree fun. Instead, however, those carefree days usually turn into a free-for-all, especially when routines go out the window and kids rely on their parents to keep them entertained all day long.
Before you take your beach chairs out for the season, take the time to put a few strategies in place so that you and your family can focus on enjoying the lazy days of summer rather than trying to survive them.
Here are 5 tips to help you have a lot more fun in the sun during summer vacation:
Tip # 1: Outline Your Summer Expectations
School-aged kids are used to following rules throughout the day. They know what is expected of them from their teachers and coaches. By setting up some straightforward guidelines for your family at the beginning of summer vacation, you can save yourself a lot of grief when things don’t go your child’s way. Successful summer expectations can be simple and tailored for each child. Emphasize in writing how your kids are expected to contribute to the household during the summer months and what the consequences will be if they don’t do their part.
These contributions can include household chores, summer reading, how much electronics time will be allowed, and how much money they can expect you to contribute to outings like the movies or the mall. Ask for their input so they will feel that they have a say in how they spend free time. For example: If you expect your son to take care of his own laundry this summer, let him decide the day and time of this chore. Print the list of expectations, have your child sign it, and keep it posted in a high-traffic area as a constant reminder.
Tip # 2: Establish Firm Summer Bedtimes
Depending on your children’s ages, bedtimes will vary. But just because school is out for summer doesn’t mean bedtimes have to be extended. Kids still need their sleep even when their days consist of going to the beach or playing at the park. They also need consistency with a non-school bedtime routine. Decide what your new bedtime will be for the summer and discuss it with your kids right away. Just as you have your list of summer expectations from Tip #1, your summer bedtime routine should be set and non-negotiable, preferably in writing. After all, overtired and cranky kids are just no fun!
See also: How Routines Will Simplify Your Life
Tip #3: Create a Summer “To Do” List
During the last week of school, my family creates our Summer “To Do” List. I design a page on the computer with seashells, beach umbrellas, and anything else that means summer.
Then everyone in the family (including Mom and Dad) lists at least two fun things that they’d like to do. Items this year include white-water rafting, strawberry picking, and repainting bedroom walls. The object of the list is to make sure each family member gets to do a couple of things that they really want besides the usual going to the beach or pool, seeing movies, etc.
See also: How to Pick Paint Colors
Tip #4: Prepare “There’s Nothing To Do” Activity Bins
What parent hasn’t heard their child say “I’m bored! There’s nothing to do!”? As a proactive approach to prevent this refrain from echoing throughout your home this summer, you can prepare activity bins filled with fun and creative activities for your kids.
Put a variety of things into each bin like coloring books, construction paper, crayons, puzzles, books, and more. Label each bin and have your kids rotate through them when they run out of ideas. Not only does this prepare you for boredom, but it encourages kids to use their imagination.
Tip #5: Schedule Family Days
When summer vacation rolls around, family schedules often become chaotic. In order to maintain family connections and provide your kids with the opportunity to bond with their siblings, I suggest scheduling family days. These can be once a week or even every other week. Family days can include a fun outing to the beach or a trip to the museum, or even a day at home cooking together and watching movies.
Plan for it, write it on the calendar, and enjoy being together as a family. Kids thrive on family togetherness, and parents love it too!
With a little planning, this summer vacation can be an enjoyable one for everyone. Happy summer!