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.

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

---

#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:
    • Summer Reading – Tips & Ideas,
    • How to Revive Your Love of Reading this Summer
    • Quick Ideas to Get Kids into Summer Reading
    • When My Reading Plans Fail

• 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!

---

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?

---

#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?

---

---

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.

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

---

---

---