This summer I compiled a list of things we do in our home, and ways we are making this summer fun and peaceful. Here are a few of our ideas.

Make a “summer bucket list”!

We got together and made a list of things we want to do as a family before the summer is over. We thought of small, simple things, as well as vacations and big ideas, experiences, and more! We’ll check them off as the summer goes on.

I’ve found that making a master list like this cuts down on boredom, and helps me as a mom intentionally plan fun things without the days just passing me by.

Create a chore/responsibility system.

When it comes to helping out around the house, we keep it simple, but take it very seriously. Since I’m not the only one living in our home for the summer, I won’t be the only one caring for our home this summer. 😉 We make messes together, we pick up together… We eat dinner on the patio together, we clean up together… We change in and out of our swimsuits all day, we tend to our laundry together… and the list goes on!

Our little system comes from a tradition that is used at the kids’ school. We work together to earn “house points”. As a family we’re working to earn enough house points to go on a trip. For us, it’s 10,000 points. Individually, the kids are earning house points for the family, but also want to be the “weekly winner” to choose the restaurant where we eat during that weekend.

I don’t assign them specific chores or tasks, I just ask them to help with what needs to be done at the time. “House points” are earned by completing your task WITHOUT COMPLAINING! So simple, but so effective! Giving them the control over what we’re already doing, is gold!

5-minute-pickup

This is nothing new if you’ve been a around here a while, but I had to mention it! At least once, sometimes twice a day, we do a 5-minute pick up, all of us together. We set a timer for 5 minutes and everyone picks things up and puts them away. We start by taking care of our own stuff that we left out, and then help each other as time allows. We usually do this quickly before we leave the house, or before we start something new for the day. (Quiet time, board game/puzzle, screen time, etc.)

Make snacks accessible.

When I make things safely accessible in my home, my kids need me less, and feel empowered to make their own choices. Snacks rule the summer at our house, so I make them “healthy-ish” and accessible! A low pantry basket and a designated fridge drawer is all it takes. Sometimes I have to repackage things for easier access, but it’s that simple!! If you’re concerned about too much snacking, set a snack alarm on your phone or Alexa to let the kids know when they can get one.

Limit cups!

Ok let’s talk cups! During the summertime, cups show up in places all over the house! Every time I turn around there’s another cup… it adds up to so many dishes! This summer each kiddo has been getting one spill-proof thermos to refill water throughout the day. ONE! At meals they have a milk or juice option, but one thermos full of water works for the day!

Schedule alone time and/or date nights.

Getting time alone as a momma, (or as a couple), isn’t as easy to come by in the summer, but it’s just as important. Taking time to choose dates and schedule family or babysitters ahead is a great way to navigate tons of time spent with the kiddos. For me, it gives me something on the calendar to look forward to, which helps me to appreciate and enjoy the time I DO spend with my children during the long summer days. I recommend one afternoon per week alone, and a couple of date nights a month.

If we were chatting over coffee I know we could think of more ways to help keep summer enjoyable for everyone, so send me some ideas! Comment below and let me know what you and your family do, I’d also love to hear your “bucket list” ideas as well.

Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xo

The five steps to success are:

1. Get their attention!
2. Model the skill.
3. Use a hands-on activity to help them connect.
4. Work independently to apply what they learned.
5. Check for understanding.

In this post I’ve included a free downloadable template for you to print and use to stay organized.

The most important thing to remember is that you’ve always been your child’s most important teacher. Don’t overwhelm yourself or your kids with rules and schedules. If that’s not your jam, then make a plan that works for you. In our home we all thrive on consistency, and this is how my brain works, but you have to do what works for you and your family! You got this momma!

Here is a link to a complete list of free resources that are being made available specifically for home learning during this time.

Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xo

A few tips:

As a former teacher, I want to offer a few tips if you haven’t ever taught children, especially your own.

1. Dedicate a space. kids need a separate space that is free of clutter and distraction to work. This can be a folding table and chair, a bean bag with a clipboard, a floor pillow and the coffee table, or a desk in their room. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but keep it neat. The more easily distracted your child gets, the more structured their environment needs to be. It’ll minimize frustration for both of you!
2. Make a work sandwich! This simply means to sandwich a short time of work with a short time of play or reward. I recommend no more than 10 minutes of work for Pre-K, then a 5 minute brain break. Add 5 minutes of work time as the grade increases (e.g. 15 for K, 20 for 1st, 25 for 2nd, 30 for 3rd and up) I wouldn’t expect any elementary child to sit and work for more than 30 minutes without a short break. I’ll give some brain break examples on a separate post.
3. Stay on schedule. Don’t be crazy and don’t let it stress you out, but try to stay on a predictable schedule. I’m including our schedule in this post. I’ll include curriculum ideas including PE/recess, brain breaks, activities, lunch/snack ideas on a separate post.

Our Tentative Schedule

8:00 Breakfast I don’t plan to wake the kids at a certain time, but I will wake them for breakfast at 8:00 if they aren’t already up, also we plan to stick to our breakfast menu Monday through Thursday.

8:30 Dressed The kids will get dressed in play clothes each day. I know I am more productive when I change out of pajamas, so I’m assuming the same will be true for them. I feel like it will help them to get into a good mindset.

9:00 Schoolwork This part will be totally specific to your child. I’ll share ideas on a different post, but this time will consist of discussion, probably a simple activity or two, a brain break or two and independent work (worksheet).

10:00 Snack These snacks will be decided on the night before (just like we do now) and will be laid out after breakfast.

10:15 Schoolwork continued

11:00 PE/Recess At this point it would be easy for me to banish the kids to the outside to “play”, but the truth is, with a little effort from me, I predict it will become our favorite part of the day. I plan to choose 4 or 5 activities and just rotate through them each day. I’ll include my ideas on a separate post.

12:00 Lunch Lunch will be packed/prepared the night before (just like we down now) which will make it convenient and help keep the kitchen stay clean during the day. If I’m cleaning the kitchen and doing chores, we’ll get off schedule.

12:30 Quiet Time This will be when Daisy (our toddler) will lay down for nap and my big kids (8 and 4) will go to their rooms for quiet time. Clark usually reads and Penelope typically draws. I set a timer for 30 minutes. We do this in the summer, so they’re accustomed to it.

1:00 Arts & Crafts/Games Quiet activities will continue, but they’ll come downstairs and we’ll play together. I’ll get some ideas together in a separate post.

2:00 Snack These snacks will be decided on the night before (just like we do now) and will be laid out after lunch.

2:15 Done for the day!

As they’re working and having quiet time I’ll check over their work and make plans for the next day depending on how well they’re doing with the current skills being taught that day. Prepping things ahead will make the day run smoothly and help me keep my sanity!

I hope this little schedule helps when you’re planning your weeks ahead. Message me with any questions and be sure to follow along on stories for updates throughout the week.

Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xo