Set Sail Smoothly Into Summer!
How are you adjusting to the shortest school year in history? Are your rays of hope being dimmed by the fact that another summer of mom-inspired, home-all-day activities is looming? Moms have kept the world spinning this year, and most of us still haven’t recovered from our vertigo. If you are secretly still unsatisfied with the climate in your home, or even in your own heart, you are not alone. Don’t let summer stress sneak in just yet. You can make a plan.
Set expectations: Kids need to know what to expect, in fact, so do you. Have a family meeting this month to let everyone know in advance that you will be planning summer together so everyone knows what to expect!
Take suggestion cards: Allow your kids to give requests for things they would really enjoy. Maybe someone wants lazy reading by the pool scheduled once a week, while your youngest might be hoping for an ice cream date with dad. Be age appropriately honest with them about budget or time constraints so they don’t just full on demand a “Yes Day” every M/W/F.
Less is more: Choose three family values or basic priorities for the summer. Try something super simple like, “Every day we will feed our bodies, feed our minds, and feed our souls.” Place those activities on the schedule and then fill in as needed with the requests mentioned above. If you accomplish your basic tasks each day, consider it a splash hit!
You don’t need to be a cruise director: Remember, you don’t need to run your summer household like a cruise captain with endless entertainment to give your children an enriching three months. In fact, kids thrive in atmospheres that are a little more self-empowering and a little less magical kingdom.
So, set your simple intentions, sketch out a schedule until everyone’s vibing it and slather on the sunscreen. With a little bit of self-talk, and some personal space all around, this might just be the best summer ever.
xoxo,
MOPS
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