4. Pick one epic thing you’ve never done before. Have you ever camped out in the backyard? Have you gone to the zoo? Have you hiked all the trails in your area? Pick one thing that will make you child say, “Oh, that was the summer we…” This defining moment will make this summer stick out in their minds as one of the best ever. Need some ideas? Visit a nearby waterfall. Try out a trampoline park. Give ice skating a whirl. Host an incredible sleepover. Find a local carnival or festival. Search for free outdoor concerts. Watch a drive-in movie.
5. Don’t throw away your routines. Sure, you can adjust for summer and be a little more lax, but if the routines just disappear completely, you may see more meltdowns out of your kids. Dr. Laura Markham of ahaparenting.com says that routines give children a sense of security and help them learn self-discipline. Setting up a good summer routine will help you and your child feel more structured and allows you have a little more control over the chaos of summer break.
The best tip of all is to just enjoy your summer with your family. We don’t get that many, so cherish this time and dwell in gratitude.
