Summer break can be a challenging time for moms, with kids home all day and various responsibilities to juggle. I still remember feeling stuck inside; hours would turn into days, days would turn into weeks, and I still had not enjoyed a single day of summer! I learned quickly that I needed a plan.
As a stay-at-home mom, I was determined to find the perfect balance of fun and relaxation not only for my kids, but for myself as well. Here are five summer break tips that will keep your kids active (and keep you sane!) through the summer!
Explore the outdoors.
Being outdoors definitely helps us get through summer break. Make the most out of the nice weather by visiting local parks, going on nature walks, or exploring bike trails. When my kids were under five, I would turn on the sprinklers and that would entertain them for hours!
As my kids get older (hence, easier to get out the house), we love walking to our local park, bike riding, and having beach days! Outdoor activities offer opportunities for exercise, quality family time, and socialization. Whether it’s engaging in playground activities or organizing a beach day, connecting with nature and enjoying the outdoors can be therapeutic for moms and kids alike.
Let go of perfection.
Stay-at-home moms have very high expectations of themselves, and this comes from societal pressures to be perfect. During the summer you can definitely let go of these ideals. Our home is made to live in and enjoy; being able to enjoy the summer also means we have to let go of the expectation of perfection.
Let’s face it: the house will not be perfect with the kids wanting to be involved in crafts and activities and be in and out of the house all day long. Take a deep breath, pause, and try to remember that this summer is short and soon things will go back to a regularly scheduled routine. For now, give yourself the permission to let go of perfection and be more present!
Plan play dates.
Let’s face it: coffee dates are probably not going to happen very often during summer vacation. My way of still having my coffee dates with my girlfriends is by scheduling play dates. This helps me look forward to meeting up with my friends, as well as having our children engaged and enjoying themselves. Double whammy!
Now, I know that play dates are not an ideal form of self-care–but they definitely help ease the nerves as you catch up with a friend and are able to engage with another adult using adult language (whew)! Either way, it gets you out of the house and keeps the kids occupied and happy!
Reduce the noise.
Trust me on this: invest in some really good wireless headphones or noise reducers to survive summer break. You will need them! Being at home 24 hours a day with littles can definitely become overstimulating for us moms. One way to tackle this is by plugging in some headphones or noise reducers.
I suggest putting on some meditation music during those high-traffic times, like during dinner prep or while the kids have their technology on. This gives you a moment to unwind and stay sane in order to push through!
Don’t wait until you’re burned out to take action, though! If you find little moments throughout your day to regulate, you will be more likely to stay out of “fight or flight” and be able to bring yourself to a state of calm instead.
Schedule some summer camps.
Summer camps are a great option to keep the kids entertained and give you a break. Struggling with sending your kids off to summer camp? The way I resolve this is by opting into summer programs that offer shorter times. I enrolled all three of my kids (ages ten, seven, and six) in a three-day soccer camp that runs for a few hours each morning.
Shorter summer camps are the perfect amount of time for the kids to be out of the house and get all their energy out! It also gives me time to take a walk, run errands, and prepare for my day.
These summer break tips have helped my family and I stay connected and enjoy the summer! Although there will always be some challenges, remember to take lots of pictures to have memories of the good days. I hope these tips will help you get through summer break on those challenging days!
