3 Ways We Say Goodbye to Summer Break

Moving from our Summer Break into the busy Back to School Season takes some time. I want to provide a slow gentle transition during this season. So often our culture expects us to switch modes without on-ramps into the busy activity.

I want to do things differently. I want to take a slower approach letting the new season unfold naturally from the previous one. Here are 3 simple ways that I do that in that week before Back To School happens in our home.

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#1 – Fun activities for saying goodbye to Summer Break

Each year we set aside one afternoon to say goodbye to the Summer season. We go somewhere or do something special at home to set apart that day as unique.

Things to do at home:

• scavenger hunt with popsicles at the end – (here is a fun one: iMom printable)
• homemade pizza night
• color pages and fun music
• water balloon games in the driveway
• bubbles, chalk, and popsicles
• anything on our Summer Bucket List that we didn’t get to do yet.
  • see this article for ideas: My Summer Planning

Things to do out:

• donuts
• lunch out
• splash pad or swimming pool
• Dollar Store Scavenger Hunt from iMom
• meeting a friend at a trampoline park
• Back to School shopping – new outfits and school supplies

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#2 – Printables for Summer Break Reflection

Next, we talk about our summer break and what we did as a family. I often get out my phone and scroll through the photos I took. We look at the digital family calendar and see what we did.

Here are some printables I have created for my own family that might be helpful for you.

Included in the free printables are:

• Summer Break Guided Reflection Page
• My Summer Moments Page – draw in the photos
• Summer Reading Log
• Summer Acrostic Poem
• Writing Prompt page

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#3 – Changes in My Home

Making the transition from Summer Break to Back to School Season in my home requires some thought and planning from me. Before I have completed the process of saying goodbye to summer with the kids I have to make some changes.

• I work on cleaning up the school room and decluttering what we do not need.
  • See this article for the 5 steps I take: Decluttering My Home School Space

• And when I have time and ambition, I organize the kids’ bedrooms and living room spaces.
  • Here is what that process looks like: Why Decluttering Clears My Mind

• I want to start the back-to-school season with a solid meal plan and a decluttered work kitchen.
  • These articles explain how I get there: My Counters Affect My Productivity
  • Tackling Meal Planning #1 (the Why) & Practical Meal Planning #2 (the How)

• I also take the time to revamp the kids’ chores and look over the household cleaning situation.
  • What keeps getting skipped?
  • What do we need to do more often?
  • What needs to change?
• This article will help with those tasks: Household Chores & Cleaning the Home

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When I am pressed for time, energy, or motivation I just do the simple basics in each area (or skip things). And that is okay. Yes, this takes me some time. But I am always happy to put that organization in place before that school year begins. I enjoy taking the time for fun and reflection with my kids. I am also reminded of the fun things that we have done.

Each August I do what I can. Each year is different and has different needs. And I give myself grace to just keep moving forward, imperfectly, with intention.

The school year is coming and I want us all to be ready for it.

Let’s tackle this transition with joy, decluttering, and reflection. 🌺💙

🌞You got this! – April

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Photos by Molly Martirez / DESIGNECOLOGIST / Helena Lopes / Madalyn Cox and others on Unsplash