Hey Momma, I know the summer can seem overwhelming. Your kiddos are now out of school and it’s all on you to figure out what the summer will look like. I hope this inspires you, and gives you some ideas and easy tips to make this the best summer.AND I just want to remind you, if you are sitting down and feeling totally defeated and like you need a minute to yourself. That you are not alone, as a Mom, we have ALL been there. I pray in this very moment…. that you can look for Gods presence in the very small and ordinary details and feel His presence surrounding you.

TIP #1: Get a Pool

This is no joke Mommas, kids LOVE water. It doesn’t really matter if it is a garden hose, sprinkler or pool. GET OUTSIDE! Let the kiddos splash and cool off! Below is the pools I recommend if you have kiddos under three and then some fun options for sprinklers. This is a great easy tip and inexpensive one. This one is great for littles under 4—> Check it out!

TIP #2: Create your Summer Bucket List

This easy tip takes not much time but gives you a roadmap for your best summer. To have a great a summer, you have to be intentional. The days go by slow but the summer goes by so fast, make sure to be intentional with your time you have with your kiddos. Now listen, this doesn’t mean jam packing every day, but it does mean coming up with a plan of what you would like to accomplish this summer to make it the best summer. As soon as school gets out for the summer, we sit down with our kids and talk about what they had fun doing last year and what they would like to do this year. Now, I want to say, we stress that these can’t be big expensive trips and lavish things. They need to be realistic things like go to the zoo, go to a swimming pool in a different community, make dirt pies, have a water balloon fight, etc. These ideas shouldn’t break the bank, but should give you ideas on what you want your summer to look like.

TIP #3: Figure out a Routine

Figure out a routine!! Okay, before you go saying summers are not for routines and so on, listen up! I completely understand that summer should be more relaxed for everyone. However, my personality needs some type of routine so currently this is our routine and it creates enough structure without to much!

• 7am-8am Kids Start Waking Up and Eating Breakfast
  • They can eat breakfast and play or watch cartoons during this time. They all wake up in this time frame by themselves!
• 8:30am All Screens go OFF and it is time to do our Individual Helper Tasks
  • Whenever all their Helper Tasks are complete they can go outside and play or stay inside and build legos or play with toys.
  • Click here for more information on Helper Tasks and how to Implement a Ticket Reward System.
• 10:00am- 10:15am SNACK TIME
• 10:20am- 11:00am- Free Time to Play
• 11:05am- 11:25am- LUNCH
• 11:30am- NAP TIME/ QUIET TIME
  • My older kiddos can read or play quietly in their beds while the younger ones take a nap.
• 12:00noon- 2pm- This is time for me to catch up on housework, blog post, and anything else that needs attention.
• 2pm-4:00pm We spend a lot of time outside watering flowers and the garden, playing in the pool, playing baseball and things of that nature.
• 5:00pm Start cooking Supper
• 6:00pm EAT DINNER
• 7:00pm- 8:00pm BED TIME

TIP #4: Take Family Camping Trips

They say that a family that camps together, stays together. I think there is a lot to be said for this! Camping is a great way to get everyone out of their routine and spend some time enjoying Gods Creation and each others company. Camping is not always the most glamorous thing but it is a ton of fun and an inexpensive getaway for a weekend.

TIP #5: Relax and ENJOY the Moment

Most of all….. which seems like such a silly (easy) “tip” but drop your expectations of what you want summer to look like. I am telling you Mommas, this easy tip to have the best summer is super important. Our expectations can often lead us to disappointment! Instead, just be present in the moment this summer. Those little moments that you are sitting outside in a lawn chair watching these little miracles live their lives and live in the moment. Don’t hold such high expectations for your summer that you end up being frustrated and angry because you didn’t accomplish everything you wanted to. Dont live so far in the past or so far in the future that you miss the here and now. Take the moment for what it is and ask God to open your eyes to the blessings right in front of you. I have learned it isn’t about creating the perfect moment, its about the little moments when your little one runs up to you to tell you he’s been working on learning how to swing and wants you to come watch, or the morning you give into letting your kids have a sweet treat for breakfast instead of something nutritious and they are over the moon filled with gratitude telling you how much they love you and that you’re the best Mommy ever. Don’t let those moments pass without taking a breathe and being present.

In closing, take a breath Momma and realize that you are loved, you are cherished, and God hand-picked you for a time such as this. I once heard that we only have eighteen summers with our babies. Go make it one worth remembering, but keep in mind that you being present…. is the best gift of all!

xoxo- Mikala Mae