Summer 2010!
I love the summer. I love the great weather, I especially love the sounds of summer. I have very distinct memories of summer when I was a child. I lived out in the country and I can still smell the mint fields, and the splash and clicking sounds of the sprinklers. I remember my mom’s awesome bbq hamburgers and pasta salad and the lazy days of playing in the sun! I hope I can bring the same kind of memories to my children as they grow up.
Planning for the summer can become overwhelming and a little stressful if you are not organized. I have a very simple system I use when planning out vacations and summer camps for the kids.
Here are a few tips to help you keep in order the events of the season, but also to remember to schedule those downtimes which really build the strong memories for ourselves and our children!
- Print out blank calendars for the months of June, July, August, and September. I simply do this with my calendar on my computer, however, there are several websites available where you can print blank calendars. Just google, Free Calendars and choose!
- Write down all of your pre-planned trips. I am visual person and I like to see when things start and when they end. Note important dates, like holidays, birthdays, last day of school, etc.
- Set a limit and budget on summer camps. These can become very expensive. Know your budget and plan accordingly. Ask your children what is most important to them. You may find events overlapping with each other, decide what is most important. You can’t do everything all the time.
- Schedule Free Days! Not every day or week has to be planned. Schedule days where you are just playing outside in the sprinkler and side walk chalk! Make the lazy days of summer a reality and take a step back and just watch and play with your kids!
- We set up a quiet time every day after lunch. This is downtime for the whole family. The kids know this is their time to play by themselves quietly!
- Have one library day every week or every other week. Make reading and learning a priority. Decide on a subject and research it with your kids at the library. Find a fun craft to do at home that relates to the research. Make it fun!
Happy Organizing!
