There are so many ways to make summer successful for the family. From packing the perfect family pool bag to keeping their minds engaged with podcasts and puzzles, we work hard around here to shape a childhood summer in a way we love.
But, then, of course, those kiddos can also drive us crazy at times. “I’m bored,” they whine, while still in their pajamas at lunch.
This summer, though, we figured out a system that has been working so well for us the past three weeks, we had to pop on here and share. Bear in mind, we don’t do a “summer bucket list.” We treat summer as a time for creativity and flexibility, following our hearts and family needs. Another “to do list,” even if it is one of fun, feels more like a burden than something to revel in. (We are nearly all Type A here and do not like it when items on a checklist aren’t checked off.)
But here is what we call our “quadrant project” for mastering summer with kids.
We took one large piece of blank paper and folded it into four squares.
The top left square is first and is called “Things We Must Do Every Day.” This is our checklist of daily items. These include:
- Brush teeth
- Make bed
- Get dressed
- Straighten room
- Brush hair
- Read
- Play outside
- Practice piano
- Do one Question a Day (the Easter bunny brought this book and we love how it encourages creative thinking and writing)
The top right square is our “Things We CAN Do Every Day.” The process is that once that first quadrant has been followed and checked through, only then can you move on to the next box.
These items include:
- Tablet time
- TV time
- Phone moves for the Garmin Fitness Watch
- Write a blog post (our 4th grader started a blog posting reviews of books for kids, with the goal of starting an online book club)
The bottom right square is called “Instead of Saying I’m Bored, Try…” Parents, I know you understand why this quadrant is needed.
We had a family meeting where we agreed that if we hear “I am bored” three times in one day from one child, that child gets a chore. Because mom and dad can always find something for them to do, am I right? To help, though, we came up with this list, a visual reminder of things the kids already own and can do without assistance.
These items include:
- More reading
- Play a board game
- Do a puzzle
- Take a nap (wishful thinking!)
- Build a fort
- Go back outside
- Get the microscope
- Listen to Brains On on the iPod
- LEGOs
- Circuit board
- K’nex
and so on.
Then the bottom left square is our list of “Adventures We MAY Take.”
We were clear that this is not meant to be a checklist, we most likely won’t get through them all. But it is a great spot to look when we have a day meant for exploring. We have some agreed-upon ideas already in the bank. This our “dream box.”
These include:
- See a baseball game
- Blueberry picking
- Mini-golf
- Ferry Ride
- Visit the turtle hospital
- Batting cages
- See an outdoor movie
Not all of our crazy ideas here with our kids work, but this new system has been absolutely successful. Not all kids and families are a one size fits all situation, but with our children, understanding and organizing expectations and possibilities for the summer has helped. Seeing what is expected and what is a fun non-requirement has helped manage the begging and nagging. Which, in our books, is a big win.
Will this system be tired and stale by the end of August? Perhaps. But we’ve had nearly a month and we’re still going strong, so the four weeks we’ve bought thus far have been worth it.
If you try this out, drop us a note and let us know. If you have any other ideas for how to conquer summer, send it our way!