Summertime and the living is … hectic. Either you have scrambled to secure some alternative daycare now that school is out, or you are sole camp director for the summer, in charge of organizing your kid’s entertainment from dawn to dusk. Either way, you will be most likely spending more time with your tots—to the point, possibly, of family fatigue. Here are some ways to keep it fresh and pack structure, fun, and downtime into your summer.
1. Avoid overscheduling
One of the biggest pitfalls of summer is trying to do too much. Perhaps the greatest joy of the season is leisure: lazy mornings, languid afternoons, long, slow evenings. Make sure you’re not always rushing out to some activity, playdate, or chore, and schedule in at least a few stay-at-home mornings or afternoons, when your kids can just do the hokey pokey, run around in their diaper (also a serendipitous time to potty learn), or dive into imaginative play.
2. Tune into natural rhythms
Find ways to structure your day that honor your child’s rhythm and need for, if not naps, at least some quiet time. Alternate between goal-oriented activities that require a lot of focus, and more expansive activities that are self-directed. If your child is a morning person (aren’t they all?) do the high-powered stuff when he has maximum energy, like going to the pool bright and early and then being more mellow the rest of the day.
3. Strengthen the bond
The dog days of summer are an opportunity to relax into each other as family. Make whatever time you have together, whether staycation or vacation, quality. Try to be as much in the present moment as your children are. Find activities that you both enjoy, such as bike riding, kite flying, walking, or crafting. Develop special mealtime rituals, such as a blessing you can all say, that delineate family time as sacred. Invent rituals that mark the beginning and end of summer, such as taking your kids to an art supply story and letting them choose some materials, or getting a bunch of summer-themed library books. “Relish in the ability to be outdoors and not have such a tight schedule,” advises mother-of-three Cindy Kaplan, of Waban, Massachusetts. “Let the strict adherence to naptimes, dinnertimes, and bedtimes slip a bit.”
4. Chip away at chores
All that family time can turn daily and weekly chores into a log jam, so be creative about making housework a family affair. You might be surprised by what even your 18-month-old can do. I was visiting my son at his daycare and was shocked to see that every day after lunch he carried his own bowl to the sink; a few months later he started helping me load the utensils into the dishwasher. Teach your kids early to be little helpers, and integrate them into the gardening, laundry, meal preparation and cleanup, and sweeping. Don’t underestimate their abilities, and know that it feels good for them to have tasks they can accomplish.
5. Dedicate some downtime (to yourself)
The quickest way to burn out is to not give yourself breathing room. Schedule some time when neither you nor your partner is taking care of your child by working out trades with your friends, establishing a babysitting co-op, or finding a hip, educational program to enroll your toddler in. Depending on what’s available, you might find a month-long session, or have to piece together several gigs. The advantage of the longer program is continuity, but shorter programs have their own benefits, giving your child a sampler in which to explore what really knocks his socks off.
Here’s a motherlode of our favorite summertime fandangos.
- Science museums often have programs for little ones, and they are packed with experiential learning activities that sound appealing even for adults. They make botany, anthropology, and geology rock!
- Zoos provide tons of summer fun. Who could resist a class called “Grunts, growls, and giggles?” As if our kids needed any more instruction in animal behavior.
- Children’s museums are an obvious target for creative child’s play. Some programs teach your kids to cook and compost; others, like sculpting, painting, and tie dying, tap into your child's inner artist.
- Botanical gardens and public gardens often offer fun garden adventures that include crafts, songs, and games. Your child will love getting down and dirty with bugs, insects, and flowers.
If you do enroll in a class, visit the venue once or twice before the class starts to get your child familiar with his future environs. And don’t forget about libraries, rec centers, rock gyms, and art museums, which usually have some sort of offering for kids under five. Many summer camps also have an early childhood program. Do some serious sleuthing, find the golden mean between too much and abject boredom, and remember to barter, beg, or buy yourself some time alone or as a couple. With some careful planning, plenty of patience, and staggering endurance, this could be your very own summer of love.
Dish with the Mindful Mama community! Add to your stress free summer by discuss stress-free baby travel.
Elizabeth Marglin, contributing editor to Mindful Mama, is planning a summer of adventure and leisure with her son Jordan.