Three Easy Ways To Prepare For Summer Break

The unofficial start to summer is here. School is out for many students or in my case, will be out three days after Memorial Day. I don't know about you but I need some time to take a quick breath and get excited/prepared for summer. Summer is a new season of a more lax schedule- later bedtimes, more impromptu fun, and vacations. However there is still a need to prepare and view the whole season to maximize your family time. Let's walk through these 3 steps to help make summer more relaxing and enjoyable to all.

Prepare for the summer schedule:

This is the time to double check all of your plans for summer. Do you have the kids signed up for summer camp and/or activities? Are all the vacation details set in place? Are there times you need additional babysitters? Sometimes in the rush to sign up for camps before they close or take advantage of vacation deals, it is easy to forget some of the logistical details. Take this time to remove all of the moving pieces separately to make sure you have everything in place for each event. If  you realize that you still need some activities for the kids and the options for camps are gone and/or dwindling, here’s a link to how to create your own summer camp.

This is also the time to make a mental checklist of all the supplies needed for camps, vacation, etc. for the summer. If your child is attending soccer camp for the first time, you will need cleats, shin guards, a waterbottle, and soccer practice clothes. If you are taking the family on vacation this summer, trust me you will need packing cubes and clothes for the activities while on vacation. Packing cubes have changed my life! It's the one thing I never knew I needed. Create a list of all the items you need to purchase so you can sit down at a later time to purchase. Make sure you have gathered all of the schedules of camps, vacations, etc. in one place in order to begin mapping out the summer.

 Create a schedule for summer:

Once you have all of the moving parts in one space, now is the time to place it on an actual calendar- all in one space either digitally or on paper. This will help you in multiple ways.

At first pass, you will be able to quickly visually check for double scheduling. Did you accidentally schedule your kid for 2 camps that overlap for 2 days? Or if that was intentional, did you make note of the proper transportation needs, and which camp what day, etc.? If so write down what things are missing, and go back to step 1 to finish scheduling the missing details.

Next, when you look at the schedule, do you feel overwhelmed? Does it fill too much like the school year when you are ripping and running everywhere? Maybe you should consider eliminating and/or moving plans. At this point, many if not all summer camps may be paid for, but I would suggest checking their refund policy. Can you get a full refund? Do they have a waitlist that another parent could easily pick up the spot? Also, if it's a multi week camp, can your child miss a week (and you don't have to pay for that week)? Don't allow yourself to willingly go into an overwhelming summer without trying to fix it.

If you are unable to pair the schedule down, look at ways you can make free time easier. Maybe during busier times when the family gets home, everyone can have screen time for the night. Clear available days for relaxation-days where there are no specific assignments and everyone can enjoy a low key day. Or if there is one day where you are particularly worn out, all activities are canceled for the day and everyone just hangs out at home. Reading, napping or just lounging is all a part of relaxation and the fun of summer. It is important to be aware of your mental and physical health. Summer should be fun and not obligatory in any way.

Schedule a momcation:

Finally, don't forget to schedule a momcation! A momcation is a vacation just for moms. It's a time to relax, recharge, and focus on yourself. If you've been feeling stressed or overwhelmed, a momcation is the perfect way to take a break and come back refreshed. There are very few moms that are leaving this school year not tired so chances are you need one.

There are many different ways to schedule a momcation. You can go on a solo trip, or you can go with a friend or family member. You can stay at a hotel, or you can stay at a vacation rental. You can do whatever you want, as long as it's something that will help you relax and recharge.

Summer break is a great time to relax, have fun, and spend time with family and friends. But it's also a time that can be stressful, especially if you have school-aged children. By following the tips in this blog post, you can prepare for summer break in a way that will help you make the most of it.

What tips help you prepare for summer? Comment below⬇️⬇️⬇️