By the time April & May show up on the calendar I am ready to start my summer planning.
If I am NOT the one deciding what my summer looks like then it gets decided FOR me. I stumble into August completely exhausted and worn out. I have no energy to start the school year well. I am resentful that I did not get time to myself or enough time for school planning. I am frustrated that I spent my time driving around in a hot car. My kids are crabby and ungrateful. We are angry with each other and I am depleted.
I will not live that way anymore. I will choose a different path. I make decisions about what my summer will look like and feel like for my family ahead of time. I want to step into fall rested and ready for the next school year.
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So I spend a Saturday afternoon alone with my journal, my lists, our calendar, and a tall latte.
I ask myself all the questions. I make lists. I write out meal ideas and activities to try. I look up all the info on all the things.
I usually forget my planning routine and it takes me extra time to remember. So I have written it all out here for you (and for my future self).
Here are the steps that I go through to plan out the many details of our summer break. Some of these might seem simple or silly. But, hopefully, I am saving you time and mental effort. 😊
Planning Our Summer Break:
#1 – the family calendar and scheduled events
First, I place the big events and bookends of my schedule first.
- When is the End of the School Year / Start of Next Year?
Next, I block out all scheduled events.
- Holidays & birthdays
- Long vacations planned
- here is some help with that: The Secret to Planning Long RV Trips
- The homeschool convention (in AZ it is AFHE and it is awesome!)
- see this article: Practical Tips for Attending a Homeschool Convention
- Summer camps for the kids (church, science camps, learning camps)
- Swim lessons
- Sports – like dance classes or karate
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#2 – evaluating our time & our goals
Then, I see where we are needing some structure or what we have too much of.
- Do we have space for free time?
- Can any weekend trips or short vacations fit in?
- Do I have a variety of activities planned?
- When will I work on school planning and curriculum shopping?
- As a teacher, this takes a lot of my time in the summer. Homeschooling is a full-time job.
- Will my kids have a chance to develop new hobbies and get bored?
- I fully believe that bringing up well-rounded kids involves boredom.
- What kinds of meals do I want to make?
- Brainstorm my Summer Meals list for easy meal planning.
- Here is an article that will help: Tackling Meal Planning #1 (the Why)
- (hot dogs, BBQ, pizza on the grill, pasta salad)
- Summer book lists!
- Booklist for me, for each kid, for us to read together
- audiobooks to listen to on road trips
- see these articles:
- How can my kids keep learning fresh on their minds?
- Will I have them complete workbooks?
- Should they keep working on math lessons?
- Will I have them write about what they are reading?
- Fun-Schooling: Ways to Learn Without Math Worksheets
- How can I reward them for keeping their brains from turning to mush?
- Sticker charts, tickets, cash for a vacation, shopping trips at Target?
- When can I take some time to myself this summer break?
- How can I schedule some time away to journal, think, and be alone? Moms are important too!
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Now I am ready to zoom out and ask some big picture questions…
#3 – big picture planning
What do I want this summer to be about?
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If I could pick a one-word theme what would it be?
Examples:
Adventure / Relaxation / Sunshine
Travel / Hobbies / Friendship / Nature
#4 – Reflection
– Does that one-word theme match my plans??
– What needs to be adjusted?
– How am I choosing to make space for what matters to our family?
– What do I need to say NO to? What is not working anymore?
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I know. I hear you. I can feel the eye-rolling and the questions.
Seriously? This is a long list of things to think about!
Why do these things matter? Who cares?
Do I really need to spend the time to think about this stuff?
The answer is No. You do not have to answer all these questions I have listed.
Choose what is important to you.
As a kid, summer vacation was full of so much freedom. No school! Backyard slip ‘n slides and popsicles that stained my t-shirt. Reading all my favorite books from the library. Playing Mario Brothers on the Nintendo. It was effortless and free.
But now I am a mom, homeschool mom, homemaker, cook, and the “planner of all the things”. Summer does not feel the same. It is a lot of work.
But, for me, living a life with intention is at the top of my list. Even if it takes time and planning.
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If I am NOT the one deciding what my summer looks like then it gets decided FOR me.
I get peace and clarity along with my planning. Now I know that whatever this summer holds I will be ready. I have adjusted my expectations, thought about all our events, placed the important things first, and created a theme.
Then can move on to my other household tasks, or even relax on the couch with a book. I feel settled and ready for the season ahead.
Welcome Summer! Let’s do this!
Smiles and Love – April
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A few of the photos were taken by me last summer.
The other photos are by Dakota Lim, Phil Hearing, Point Blanq, and others on Unsplash
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