It’s been almost a month since my kids have been out of school.
For years I’ve been dreaming up ideas of how to structure our summer so I don’t lose my ever loving mind. I tend to get as far as making a giant bucket list and then end up completely forgetting about it. Summer just happens. And because I’m in the season of little ones, it wasn’t much different from the school year.
But not this year. Oh, man. Mama was struggling with the adjustment to having all. that. energy. back in the house 24-7.
Here’s how we are attempting to THRIVE instead of SURVIVE the summer:
1. CHORE CHARTS!
When I watched Jordan Page’s YouTube video on how she balances her summer, I felt like someone had given me the keys back to my sanity.
We don’t do her version exactly, but this has been so helpful for me! Even my two year old likes to check things off her list…and my house is cleaner than usual! (Thank you child for dusting the plants. And thank you child for wiping the entire bathroom down with Clorox wipes…even the mirror.)
2. QUIET TIME
The extrovert in me never knew that quiet time was a necessity. I’m usually filling every empty day with people or activities. But this last week I had some open space in my schedule. My husband was away for work and I knew I was going to lose my mind if I didn’t take some time for myself, even if I couldn’t physically get away. (By the way, I love my kiddos. But I know myself, and to best care for them, I need time to recharge myself. And if I don’t have that in some form on a weekly basis, mama’s patience runs dry.)
So in those empty moments, I chose to chill. I made myself a pot of tea and dove into a novel. I stopped trying to come up with projects or calling people or keeping my mind busy. Some days I just sat and stared out into our backyard and let my mind wander. Oh, and I left my phone plugged in by my bed. It was so freeing.
Maybe the way you’re wired quiet time comes naturally. I wish it did for me. I was asked recently what thoughts pop into my mind during those quiet moments when I’m trying to fall asleep. “What quiet moments?” I asked. And the person said, you know when your mind wanders and thoughts just float into your head?
“Oh. Hmm…” I realized then that I tend to keep myself distracted until I’m ready to pass out. Whether it’s talking to a friend, watching TV, reading entertainment news online or even playing crossword puzzles until my eyes are tired, I fill my quiet moments to distract my brain.
If you’re like me, I want to challenge you to take a couple days and be still. Put your phone away for a few hours and let your mind wander. Allow yourself to process old hurts. Be present to the beauty in front of you. Dive into a good book guilt free. And enjoy your cuppa tea.
3. STOCK TANK POOL
Do yourself a favor and buy one of these bad boys. Originally used for holding water for animals, it’s the perfect size for small children to enjoy and IT WON’T POP/CRACK! I think ours is about 6 feet in diameter. We just keep our pool covered with a tarp to keep the bugs out and drain it every so often and refill it with clean water. I’m sure I could chlorinate it somehow, but we are fine with our method right now.
We bought ours from our local building supply store on sale. Here’s the one we have: https://highcountryplastics.com/collections/water-tanks/products/350-gallon-w-series-water-tank
4. PRE-CHOPPED VEGGIES
So the kids want a snack…but I don’t want to spend money on junk food or pre-portioned snacks, and I’m lazy and don’t want to prep something for them every. time. they. ask. This is where I’ve found joy in food prep. I just take a few minutes while getting lunch ready a day or two a week and chop a ridiculous amount of carrot sticks, peppers, cucumbers, and/or radishes. Then I stick it in a visible spot in my fridge for the kids to find when I tell them they can actually have a snack. I can still be mostly lazy. It’s great.
5. LOW EXPECTATIONS
We did make a summer bucket list this year. When I make one, I’m usually writing down things that require time, money or extra effort. I asked my kids what they would like to put on it and here’s a sample of what they said:
- Go to splash pad
- Go on bike ride
- Have a picnic
- Make lemonade
- Have a water balloon fight
- Swim in the pool
- Visit grandparents
- Swim at the lake
- Go to a park
- Ride scooters
- Play in the sprinkler
- Bake a treat together
- See fireworks
- Visit cousins
- Go to the beach
Nothing they suggested is outside of the realm of possibility. They just want to enjoy the simple things. We’ve done at least three of the things on their list without even being intentional about it. It’s been fantastic.
I’m a dreamer/anticipator/more-is-better kind of person. But I’m also easily distracted, so if something doesn’t happen, I don’t care too much. But I hate doing that to my kids: raising their hopes and expectations only to not follow through.
Simple, I have found, is better. Enjoying a summer day while pushing my kids on the swings; those of the memories I want to create. I’ve found with some low expectations and a little grace, we’ve been enjoying our summer so far. I’ve heard my girls say a couple of times that they are having the “best day ever” when we are just doing our regular thing.
House of Dreams 