My Secret Tool for Ensuring a Great Summer with the Kids

Now that summer is just around the corner, are you prepared for it? While most of us hope our summers will be filled with long days languishing in the sun, the reality can often be quite different.

My biggest tip going into my 10th summer as a mama (whaa?!!)- and having 3 kids who are still relatively young- take a little time to throw together a general daily schedule.

I’m not gonna sugar coat it… Finding a way to occupy the kids all summer is always challenging.

I know I sure found the loss of elementary school hours and preschool three mornings a week to be a bit unsettling the first time it happened to me.

By summer schedule, I’m not talking about jamming your day with summer camps and swim lessons – just the opposite, in fact. On the days when it’s possible, I think it’s vital for children to be allowed plenty of free time to explore, especially outside, and stretch their imaginations.

All you have to do is build in learning time to help beat the summer slide and you can feel great about letting them play, play, and play some more.

Here’s a preview of my ideal summer schedule for this year…

3 East Steps to Making a Summer Schedule that Works

Step 1 – Start with a pen and piece of notebook paper. On the paper make three columns:

Things that need to get done
Experiences and activities you’d like to provide for the kids
Activities you’d personally like to pursue this summer.

Step 2 – Break up your daily schedule into chunks of time (morning, lunch, naptime, etc.).

Step 3 – Take everything from your columns and use them to fill in your schedule.

Our Summer Schedule:

8:30 – 11:30 Playdates / Day Camps / Outdoor Time

11:30 – 12:30 Lunch

12:30 – 2:30

Dinner Prep w/ Kids Help

Other Household Chores

Learning Games & Activities via ABC Mouse.com

2:30 – 4:30

Art Time or other Creative Activities

Running Errands

More Outdoor Time

4:30 – 5:00 Reading Time

5:00 – 6:00 Dinner Prep / Kids’ Screen Time

6:00 – 8:00

Dinner

Baths & Showers

8:00 Bed Time / Me Time!

This is, of course, only a general (and optimistic) outline of our days. There will be plenty of times we hit the beach all day with friends, go on vacation, etc.

But I’ve learned those days are always pretty easy – it’s having a plan for the days we have no plan that’s vital!

I hope this gets your wheels turning and helps you make a plan for your best summer yet!

Psst – As you can see from our schedule, one way we’re planning on tackling it is by using ABC Mouse.com with my preschooler and 1st grader.

With that in mind, I wanted to give you a heads up on two things:

They’re having a Secret Memorial Day Sale (not currently advertised on their site) – now through Monday you can get a full year of the #1 online educational program for kids ages 2-8 for 63% off... That’s a full 7 months for free!

I’m offering an exclusive FREE BONUS Just for MPMK Readers…

Just this week I graduated our very 1st class from our brand new mini-course called Plan Your Summer Like a Boss. In a nutshell, it’s a 5-day email course that’s basically a roadmap for being intentional about your summer while filling it with healthy eats, bonding time, and tons of helpful hacks to keep your days flowing.

The course is still in beta phase, though, and not yet for sale.

That means I’m only allowing in those folks who grab a year of ABC mouse for $45 (62% off!). All you have to do to get your free course access is email me your ABC Mouse receipt at [email protected]!

But hurry- the huge sale (and free bonus) ends on Monday!

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