Summer has arrived.
Now what?
Summer planning, that’s what.
“I’m booooooored,” groaned some kid, just now, somewhere, to a parent. 😃
No matter how old your kids are, they likely need a little help or a nudge to get busy, active, or to try something new. Hey, we all do.
I want to share with you my method for Summer Planning. I posted about it a couple of weeks ago on social media and got great feedback so I thought I would write about it here so that more people could see it.
It’s easy I promise and doesn’t involve a gluestick or pipe cleaners.
Supplies Needed:
- A Piece of Paper
- Pen or Marker
- Piece of Tape
STEP ONE
Get a large piece of paper out for each person in your family. Bristol board, foolscap or plain ol’ computer paper will all work just fine.
STEP TWO
Put one person’s name on each piece of paper (each family member gets their name included … even Mom and Dad) and then write any of the following headings (you can choose the ones that would best suit your family):
- Friends I want to see/hang out with this summer:
- Books I want to read before I go back to school:
- Something new I want to try:
- I want to accomplish:
- A place I want to see:
- Foods I want to try or learn how to make:
- Movies I want to watch:
- Or make up your own …
STEP THREE
Everyone fills out their summer planning paper in private. No judging. No criticizing.
STEP FOUR
Find an open wall or door that you can use to stick all of the pieces of paper up. This is your ‘Summer Planning’ wall.
STEP FIVE
Each week when you’re planning out your todos or giving that nudge, look at each person’s page.
- Ask about the friends your kids mentioned, or call up and arrange a hang out if they are younger.
- Take a trip to the library and grab the books that are mentioned or bring the kids with you for a visit.
- Refer to your list when picking out your family movies or weekend adventures.
I love this method for SUMMER PLANNING because it includes EVERYONE’s ideas and it allows each person to have different goals and express unique things that they want to do. For example, last year I included on my list that I wanted to master a deep-water start while slalom water skiing, and my kids kept me accountable every time I was about to take a pass and sit my turn out. “Master” might be a strong word, but I did do it multiple times! 👏
By seeing what everyone else wants to do this summer and what is important to each member of the family, it allows everyone to encourage each other, celebrate victories, and best of all, ensure that EVERYONE is included and accounted for when choosing family activities and planning out your days.
What’s on your Summer To-Do List? Let me know in the comments. Looking for ideas to do with the family, check out my Deluxe Family Sanity Guide, filled with hundreds of movies, books, indoor activities, DIY projects, and recipes.
From my kitchen table to yours,
