6 Tips for Creating a Summer Schedule
As the school year winds down and the temperature goes up, parents may be both longing for and bracing themselves for the impact of summer vacation. Set yourself up for success by creating a summer schedule.
The 2013-14 school year was my son’s first venture in a seasonal school calendar (he’s in Pre-K). In just four days, his school year comes to an end. I’m cheering for the lack of school drop-off (and having to get dressed) and being able to put away the lunchbox. But, I’m also dreading the inevitable onset of “what now?” from his busy, always-on-the-go brain. Working from home means that I’m in a position to do be there to support him, but it’s going to take some planning and creativity on my part.
To that end, I’m working on our summer schedule and my research has turned up this six tips:
1. Give yourself a break.
Let’s be honest, it’s been a long year, and even I remember the joy of that first few days of vacation, knowing there was nothing immediate coming down the pipe. Start your summer with a little break. For us, my son finishes school with an early release on Thursday, so we’re giving ourselves an unplanned weekend. We’ll play it by ear and spend most of it watching the munchkin play with his boats in his backyard inflatable pool.
2. Think routine, not time clock.
When it’s time to get things back on a schedule (and make sure that the kids at least change their pajamas periodically) remember that a schedule can still allow for plenty of relaxation. Making a routine of things that need to get done each day leaves lots of room for fun while knocking out the necessities. Leave room in your plan for flexibility. For us, I’m planning our morning and evening routines while building in some dedicated work time. Big portions of the day are left open for whatever adventure we feel like exploring.
3. Make a plan for something new.
Summer is a great time for exploring. Your something new could be within your local community, the closest city, a new sport, or tackling a goal. Incorporating new experiences and challenges makes summer a powerful opportunity for personal growth outside the classroom while making wonderful family memories. This summer, I’m taking my son to the beach for the first time (that he’ll remember) in his short life and we’re growing vegetables together. We will also be watching Free Fun in Austin for cool new things to try.
4. Aim for easy planning with general themes.
If you’re like me, leaving room for flexiblity sometimes means a lot of watching the same movies over and over. (I’m beyond counting how many times I’ve seen Frozen or watched his interpretative dance to “What Does The Fox Say”). To keep from letting open equal boring, I can use general themes for activities. These would vary based on the age and interests of your child but could look something like this:
- Monday: Make something crafty
- Tuesday: Library
- Wednesday: Water Fun (splash pad/pool)
- Thursday: Take a trip (something within an hour so—museums, zoos, new parks
- Friday: Find a friend (play date or an activity where we might meet a new one)
5. Make a summer bucket list.
Creating this list could be a fun summer activity. Find out what your family wants to do. Do some googling and play tourist in your area—military life so often puts us in places we might never visit otherwise so we might as well enjoy it! Your summer bucket list will make a great place to start when you feel like you’re running out of ideas and might scream if you don’t get out of the house.
6. Don’t forget me time.
This is one that I struggle with, but I’m making a point to stick with it. I’m interviewing babysitters with the plan to schedule a once-a-week “me time” after my husband deploys. Mom’s sanity is awfully important part of my son having a fun summer—and I have to remember that it’s worth a little investment. I plan on using my me time for riding my horse, occasional long runs, and probably a visit or two thru the Chick-fil-A drive thru to enjoy a strawberry shake without the constant interruption of a very excited 4-year-old.
How do you avoid summer boredom (and insanity)?
