When summer hits and school lets out it’s easy to let go of all routine and normalcy. Some tricks to keeping summer relatively normal with some spontaneity thrown in.
Keep Your Routine
Whatever your routine is, keep it. Wake up at the same time, go to bed at the same time give or take an hour, eat dinner at the same time. Keeping a good rhythm in your home gives peace of mind to everyone.
Continue Meal Planning
Summer is the perfect time to get your kids involved in cooking. Maybe they even have some ideas for the meals too! Get them involved in the meal planning, budgeting, and shopping. They will love it!
Plan Fun Days
School kids go from super scheduled lives to three months without routine. Planning “fun days” like this gives them something to look forward to.
Make Work Fun
I remember growing up we would make our own popsicles with kool aid. That page in the cookbook is stained red from overuse. We would fight over who got the popsicle without the broken handle. Those were some of the best days. Create fun memories by making popsicles then knocking out some chores i.e. spring cleaning a room, while you wait for them to freeze. Getting the kids involved with housework with a reward at the end makes it fun for everyone.
Let Go of Your Routine. . . . Just A Bit
I know I just said that you should keep you routine as much as possible, but allow for good old summertime fun. Relaxing on the front porch on hot days, swimming in the pond, running through the sprinklers, camping, eat popsicles. After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
