Summer is here, are you ready?
You still have plenty of time to make plans for Summer if you start soon.
When you do take a moment, think about what you really want from this summer break.
Do you want to spend more quality time with your family, try new adventures, or simply unwind and recharge your batteries?
What are your main goals for the summer?
It’s important to know what you want so you can genuinely enjoy summer.
I know you have a lot on your plate, juggling work, family, and a million other things.
You might feel the pressure to do so but Summer doesn’t have to be packed full of things to do if that isn’t your thing.
It can be simple but it’s still a good idea to do a little bit of planning, so you don’t have to scramble or stress too much.
So, when planning your summer break, there are a few important things to consider.
Here are some tips to follow to create a simple plan for a stress-free summer break.
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1.Brainstorm ideas with your family.
Ask them for ideas and what they would like to do. Make it a team effort. Let other family members do research, arrange and schedule activities and events along with you.
When everyone is on the same page, it’s so much easier.
If you have difficulty coming to an agreement, try agreeing on a theme for the month.
For example, June can be an outdoor-only activities month where you and your family make it a goal to do at least one outdoor activity a week that you wouldn’t normally get to do.
July can be a creative month filled with arts, crafts, and theatre. August can be a country travel month where you pick your own produce at local farms, explore markets, etc.
It can be hard to decide on what to do, try a theme for the month and see where it takes you.
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2.Set expectations.
Because summer vacation is supposed to be enjoyable and relaxing rather than demanding, it is a good idea to not have too high of expectations.
It might be tempting to make summer magical for everyone but at what cost? It might be at your expense so be careful not to overdo it so you can truly enjoy the opportunity to recharge.
If going above and beyond during the summer break brings you joy, do it! But, if you would prefer to keep it low-key, that’s okay too! Do what aligns best with you and your family.
This a gentle reminder to not compare yourself to other moms too. If you don’t have a bunch of travel plans lined up already, don’t sweat it.
Focus on the opportunities that you will have this summer for yourself and for your family. If you do this instead, you will not care what other families are doing. You will truly enjoy the season as intended!
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3. Establish Guidelines for structure
During the summer months, it’s important to maintain a sense of structure and order even though the usual routine might be different. With the kids at home more often, setting some specific rules for the summer can help maintain a harmonious atmosphere.
By establishing and ensuring an understanding of these rules, you reduce the need for constant enforcement. The aim is not to be overly strict, but rather to create a structure that promotes a balanced and enjoyable summer for everyone.
4.Don't be afraid to delegate tasks and ask for support.
The summer break isn’t going to magically make everyday tasks disappear, so delegating is still a good idea. Figure out what you can delegate so you can enjoy the summer break more.
Delegate tasks and responsibilities whenever you can. Engage your children in age-appropriate chores and involve them in planning and organizing activities.
Simplify meal planning by opting for easy and healthy recipes or even considering meal delivery services like Gobble.
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5.Stick to your daily routine.
While the summer break is a time for relaxation, maintaining a daily routine can help establish a sense of structure not just for your family but for you as well.
Maintaining your daily routine will help you manage your time better too.
This is not just about setting rules, it’s making sure that your routine helps you maintain a sense of normalcy. It also makes transitioning back to school easier too!
Set consistent wake-up times, meal schedules, work-related tasks, and designated periods for activities or quiet time.
Back to school will be around the corner soon, if you want to get ahead of the game, read my Back-to-School articles here so you are ready.
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6.Be mindful of your online consumption
Summer doesn’t last long so you want to enjoy as much of the beautiful summer weather as you can. If you’re not aware, online media consumption can steal a lot of your time.
Use social media mindfully and set designated times to check email being careful not to use up too much time on non-urgent/important messages.
Let your family know that you will be intentional with your online consumption and encourage your family to do the same.
Running late organizing your summer break? No worries, I’ve got you covered! Get organized with my Free simple summer planner printable. What’s included: Summer season at a glance, June-September monthly calendar, weekly planner, Trip Planner, Memories, Books to Read, Summer Shopping List, and additional notes.
7.Keep your schedule flexible.
Save space for unplanned adventures. Too much rigidity can really zap the fun out of the summer season.
Maintain a healthy balance between structured and unstructured time. This allows for creativity and flexibility, making the summer break more enjoyable for both you and your kids.
Embrace a “Plan B” Mentality for the days when things just don’t work as planned.
Accept that plans may change and have a backup where possible. If a scheduled activity or outing doesn’t work out, be prepared for an alternate plan. This mindset allows you to adapt quickly and find other ways to spend quality time with your family without feeling discouraged.
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8.Prepare for rainy days and heat waves.
Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, but it won’t always be fair skies. Figure out what you and/or your kids will do if they are stuck indoors.
Will you plan some activities at home? Maybe watch some movies, play a board game, or head out to an indoor play space?
It will make life run a little more smoothly when you have a backup plan for bad weather or other changes in schedule.
Need some ideas for activities for the kids? Check out 23 Easy and Fun Indoor Activities for Kids at Home (ages 2-16)
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9.Maintain daily self-care
Find activities that make you feel good and feel restored. You choose what that means to you which might be a good book, yoga, nature, or learning something new.
For some moms, summer is not a break at all but a continuation of stress and overwhelm. Don’t let that be you!
If self-care is a stranger to you, please grab my free mini self-care guide to discover how you can start taking care of yourself every day (even if you don’t have that much time to spare).
10. Make family time a priority
If you have older children, it might be harder to arrange a time with them. Share a summer calendar with dates for family time. Have a family meeting to discuss which dates work best for everyone and schedule it.
You only get a few summers with your kids until they’re adults, so make time for family time!
11.Embrace downtime: Unwind and stay present
For many families, the summer break is a whirlwind crammed with activities, events, and travel.
Downtime is essential and allows you and your family to savor the season and appreciate the time you have with them.
Give yourself time to unwind and be present. It gives you the opportunity to recharge and reset your mind. Make sure to put away distractions like your phone, so you can focus on being fully present.
If being present is a struggle, try using slower times of the day to practice mindfulness.
Mornings are a great time for this since for most people, they can be slower and less rushed during the summer season.
Yoga, deep breaths, journaling, and/or a morning walk can help you focus on being more present. All these activities and be done as a family too!
Even the small act of choosing to drink your tea or coffee more slowly instead of guzzling it can be a great start.
Another thing to consider that can help you focus on being present is setting boundaries and communicating them to key people (family, coworkers).
Designate a time during the day or week when you dedicate your attention to work, your family, and other tasks that might pull you in different directions.
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To make Summer break a lot more enjoyable and running smoothly, start creating your simple plan to enjoy the season without the stress.
Take some time this week to map out some activities and downtime for you and your family.
The key is to not overcomplicate your plan, simplicity is good! Focus on what matters to you and your family.
Don’t forget to recharge this summer. Take this opportunity to fill your cup so that when it’s time for the kids to go back to school, you will be physically and mentally prepared. Never underestimate how important it is to recharge your batteries.
Whether it be a low-key summer plan like picnics and walks in the park or something more fast-paced whatever it might be, always choose what’s best for you and your family.
So, get your calendar out, get excited, and plan your amazing summer break. Simplify your summer planning even more with my free summer planner.
Embrace this chance to recharge and connect with your family.
Running late organizing your summer break? No worries, I’ve got you covered! Get organized with my Free Simple Summer Planner. What’s included: Summer season at a glance, June-September monthly calendar, weekly planner, Trip Planner, Memories, Books to Read, Summer Shopping List, and additional notes.
Hi, I’m Melanie. I’m the woman behind Mommy Life Strategies. Here you will discover ways to manage your time more efficiently, how to create positive daily habits that stick, mindset exercises that energize, and health & wellness tips that work even for the busiest moms.