Intentional Summer Days

Because we start our school year in August, we are finished with our school year at the end of May or beginning of June depending on when our testing schedule works out.  What's fun about that is we're done in early June! What's not fun about that is we're done in early June.  It really doesn't take more than a few days for the kids to start with "I'm bored" and me to yell back "If you're bored then you're boring" and then I start singing Green Day, and it all just goes downhill from there.

Especially with a middle schooler.  He doesn't appreciate me singing Green Day. 

So, how do we avoid this problem? We plan our summer days with intention.  That means that we start with a list that has to be accomplished before anyone is allowed to ask me to take them somewhere, call a friend, or turn on an electronic device.  There are a couple of online lists you can print out, but I like to write mine on a white board so I can change it if there are fewer or more things we need to accomplish.  For example, if the basement Lego situation gets real and we need to clean that up.  

Our list might look a little shorter than yours, but that's because we already have "start the day" sheets that include things like musical instrument practice, laundry, and bedroom cleaning. 

If you don't have schoolwork to do, things like summer reading, scout achievements, online math practice, music practice, cooking, or really anything at all can go on your list.  

In addition to having our list so that we intend to get something done each day, we also plan to have weeks where there are things to do.  For us, that means a combination of camps we pay for and VBS, which is free. That gets a little bit harder with Middle Schoolers, because there's not a ton out there for them in the summer as far as freebies like VBS- but there are a few options, and Middle Schoolers are always great voluntolds volunteers.  Our biggest expense is sleep-away scout camp for our rising 7th grader, so if he has less to do, it evens out.  

By alternating weeks of activities out of the house with weeks of at-home relaxing and having friends over, I'm able to keep our summer fun budget in check, and I'm able to keep the kids from telling me they're bored.  I'd love to hear your tricks and tips, too!! 

You can find more summer fun ideas on PwcMoms by clicking here.