Questions that might just save your summer
Before summer starts… read this!
I have lived many a summer and I can tell you right now, the ones with young kids were the sweetest longest hardest most fun but also most draining days ever.
Depending on where you are, summer might have already started, or you might be on the cusp of tasting its sweet freedom—or stress. I guess it depends on how you look at it! I wanted to create a worksheet that would help you think through your own summer and how to enjoy it, depending on your season of life. I have personally used these questions for my own summers for years and they really, really help me set a tone and get a game plan for what those long days will look like.
We are going to talk about summer as a season in two different ways:
First, summer is, quite literally, a season. It is one of four. Also, this is just one summer of, Lord willing, many you will enjoy. Your kids will not be doomed if there are reasons this summer has to be slower. Boredom is not a sin. The weight of the world does not hinge on June through August.
Did you get that? The weight of the world does not hinge on June-August.
Second, your family is likely in a specific season. Maybe you have a newborn at home. Maybe you’re tasting freedom for the first time ever with kids who don’t have to nap and can swim. Maybe all the kids go to sleep-away camp for a week. Maybe you have to work and the kids are at camp for part of the day. Whatever it may be, knowing your season can really help you plan for summer.
When I had a newborn at home, leaving the house was really hard. That summer I invested in some awesome water toys and a sprinkler for the big kids to play with while the baby napped. Now that the kids are a little older and three out of the four can swim well, we have invested in a pool membership. When I had three kids ages three and under, the pool really stressed me out. The beach, however, did not. I didn’t ever do the pool alone, but I felt like I could take them to the beach without an issue. Now, the big three can all swim and want to go deep into the ocean. The pool now feels like the more manageable option, and I want another person with me to take them to the beach. Whatever activities you are looking to do, naming your season can help steer your summer.
**This is also important because when you look online or see friends doing something different than you, they might be in a completely different season than you.
Each summer I try and come up with one or two words or a phrase to help me. Those words can be anything from “outside” and “flexibility” to “slow down” and “embrace the boredom.” It’s really just a simple way for me to remind myself of what season we are in. When I was pregnant with Alberta, I embraced the flexibility of a summer without a baby. The next summer was, you guessed it, “embrace the boredom.”
Lastly, having some semblance of rhythm and routine really helps my family. It doesn’t have to be anything strict, but even telling them, “This is when we will have a snack” or “This is when you can watch a show,” can really cut down on the number of times you are asked those questions in a day.
Below you will find a few worksheets. One to help you think through this summer as it pertains to your specific season. The second is meant to be a place for you and your kids to brainstorm some fun summer activities. This isn't meant to be anything crazy. Just jot down a list places to go or things to do. On a morning when you have no plans and are feeling stir-crazy, consult that list.
At the end of the summer you can look back and see how many things you did! Summer can feel monotonous, or sometimes the kids can complain and make you feel like you didn't do anything fun. That list can serve as a physical reminder that you did a LOT!
I sincerely hope this is helpful for you!
Lastly, here is a template for creating your own summer schedule in Canva. (Note: You will have to create a Canva account to edit this template. Once you create the schedule for yourself, download it to your computer to print. If you click “Print” on Canva's website it will assume you want their professional printing.) Don’t want to make on Canva? Grab a poster board and some painters tape and stick that baby on the wall!
Also, I love the worksheet. Great to write out what works and what doesn’t, as well as a bucket list. Writing is thinking, and can reduce the stress when you need to get out of the house now- and need to make a quick decision.
This is great! I live in Florida and am a SAHM but summer gets even hotter around here so we do have to reassess