We finished our “scheduled” schooling right about the end of April. In the weeks since we finished, I’ve been pretty laid back about having any kind of routine. I think it’s nice after having nine months of order to kick back and just do whatever, whenever.
The weather has been absolutely gorgeous. We sleep in…we play outside…we work in the garden…
But somehow, the lack of routine doesn’t set well with me after a few weeks. I don’t feel quite as productive. I don’t want the boys to get into a “what? you want me to actually do a chore?” mode. I don’t want the summer to go by and find that we didn’t really accomplish anything.
I need a schedule. I need some routine. I need productiveness. So, pardon me while I kind of think out loud here as I try to create some sort of organization for our summertime. It may not be pretty. Feel free to tune me out.
Projects I want to get done (with the boys help) this summer:
- Clean out the house and have a yard sale. (Guard your favorite action figures carefully…I’m in a “get rid of stuff” mood.)
- Clean up our storage room.
- Organize books in the school room.
- Paint the bathroom trim. (oh, I am so not looking forward to this one…)
- Paint our porch (?) (four boys with paint brushes? I don’t know)
- Teach Malachi to write his name. (more on this another time)
Projects I’m working on for Heavenly Homemakers:
- Gardening and Canning ebook (really, really want to have this one finished soon…I’m pretty sure it’s going to happen) :)
- Early Learners curriculum/ebook (really, really want to have this one finished soon…don’t think it’s going to happen) :(
- Oh so many more ebooks started and half finished
- Continue with Eat More Fruits and Veggies Challenge
- Catch up on emails and answering questions (does this ever really happen? That’s okay, bring on the emails!)
Stuff we need to work on every day:
- Keep up with the garden. (I won’t let the weeds get out of control…I won’t let the weeds get out of control..I won’t let the weeds…..)
- Keep up with the housework.
- Read the Bible and work on memory work.
Activities we can be involved in:
- Library summer reading program (definitely doing)
- Wessels Farm Life programs (local farm holding special classes for kids…teaching history…checking into)
- Science Museum summer classes (checking into)
- Wednesday dollar movie at the theater (every once in a while when there’s a good movie we want to see)
- Farmer’s Market (not selling baked goods this year…just selling shaved ice!)
Okay, here’s what I think we’ll do:
- Wake up whenever (hopefully I’ll wake up an hour or two before the boys so I can get computer work done) (actually, as it gets hotter, I’ll need to work in the garden during the earlier morning hours instead of working on the computer)
- Eat breakfast/read Bible together
- Do some daily chores before we start playing (we as in the boys part of we)
- Boys play/Mom does more housework…probably in the kitchen…or we all work in the garden together
- Lunch
- Work on projects mentioned above with boys
- Boys play/Mom works on HHM projects
- Mom exercises on mini-trampoline (gotta put that into the schedule because I won’t make myself do it otherwise)
- Dinner
- Straighten up the house
- Play or help Daddy with chores he needs help with/more garden work
- Bedtime (whenever that is)
Okay, well thank you for putting up with that. Even though it’s a loose schedule, I feel better now.
What do your summers look like? Do you try to keep a schedule?
Michele says
We do need some sort of schedule but I don’t like to go crazy with it during the summer. I actually wrote about this Friday on my blog. I want my kids to have a great summer and me to stay sane!! LOL. So some things are scheduled but for the most part we will have some random things going on! Makes it fun!
Danielle says
Since both my husband and I work outside the home, our children will be going to day camp. They love it, and they get to be around other children their own ages. Most of them are children who they see in school everyday.
We do have a few family vacations planned this year, we can’t wait!
Pam says
I was just thinking about this last night. I too am scheduled during the homeschool year and enjoy no schedule for about the first 2 weeks during summer break. Well, we’re in the 3rd week now and we’re needing some type of loose schedule. I’m going to think out loud here:
My projects: organize pictures & memoriabilia, organize/declutter each room in the house (I’m also in a “get rid of it” mood), make 1 WDW digital scrapbook (I have 3 trips worth of pictures), if I thought long enough I’m sure I could come up with more
Every day: housework/chores, reading the bible & Bible Study pages, cooking (I have a tendency to be lazy and not prepare ahead of time so we end up with whatever we can find)
Activities: play dates, movies (free Tu & Th from June-July), library summer reading
OK, you’ve convinced to make up our own summer schedule. I better get a move on. Thanks!!
Step says
Well, I need to think about this quickly since the last day of school is this Friday — yikes!!!
Actually, I love summer vacation because I get to have the kids home with me, the busyness of school is over, and we can do some great fun and educational things. We like to keep it flexible over the summer. Here’s what we’ll likely do:
* 2-4 camping trips to various parts of Michigan. We live in SE lower MI, so we like to travel to the upper peninsula or the west side for a change.
* gardening. We have a good sized garden in our yard and the kids like to help tend it.
* outings. We always go strawberry picking in June, raspberry in July and then can some into jam and freeze some. We’ll also go to the farm, museums, zoo, amusement park and beach.
* activities. VBS is one week in July. Eldest son will go one week to a hockey camp. Daughter will go to a dance/cheer day camp in June. Middle son will do swim lessons for a couple of weeks.
* projects — haven’t even thought about this yet.
* every day chores and housework. I like to take the summer to build the kids’ skills in this area. I teach them how to cook some simple things and what it takes to run a household.
* areas for improvement. Middle son needs some work on his fine motor skills, so I plan to have plenty of modeling clay around, weaving kits and such. My eldest needs to memorize several Bible verses for his Sunday school class (we’re changing churches and he’s a bit behind the rest of the boys in his grade level). My daughter could use some work on her math skills. I don’t get too crazy about this — it is summer break afterall.
Well, as I look at this list it seems like we’ve got summer covered and fall will be here before we know it!
Jamie says
I feel the same as you in regards to a schedule. The lack of a schedule makes for unproductive days or less productive. I try to make a summer schedule for me & our 3 children. My 2 boys require a schedule to keep them from fighting d/t boredom.
Sherry says
I have a few things that I’d like to get done including a summer cleaning frenzy deep cleaning one room a week. Still tending my garden! :D We’re looking forward to summer reading and hopefully some other activities. :D
Kelly says
I’m a routine-keeper too! Since this is my first summer of NOT working (yay!) I’m especially concerned with keeping a routine. I fear that if I don’t, it won’t be long before I start living in my pajamas & stop brushing my teeth!
I’m still working out the details of our routine, but I’m careful to call it a ROUTINE, instead of a SCHEDULE (sine to me, the latter indicates that bad things will happen if we don’t eat lunch by 11:32… or whatever).
I like your routine, & might borrow it as the foundation for mine… since at the moment I’m a little overwhelmed & have no idea where to begin!
Kari says
I’m a new stay at home mom and have realized the importance of a routine/schedule! If I don’t write down what all needs to be done I just feel so absent-minded and lost!
I was one of the winners of the DigiScrapChat and was wondering how to claim my prize…I didn’t know if I overlooked something. Thanks so much!
Jennie says
I learned a couple of years ago that 4 boys with nothing to do is fine for about 1 week, then chaos sets in. So now, like you, though we are finished with our homeschooling, routine still reigns! We still do a little math and reading and have projects to work on a little each day. It cuts down significantly on the “Can I play on the computer?” or “Can I watch TV?” or “Moooooooooom, he’s picking on me!” Everyone enjoys our days off even more!
Amber says
Right there with you, sister. After a week or two of glorious what-evering ……..mom need schedule!!!
Our seven little ones nine and under do to. While it is not intense, all chores, very miner math and piano practice, and social/service engagements are scheduled. It makes for happier children who know what to expect asnd keeps me from what-evering myself into a nervous wreck!!!!!!!!
Alison @ Hospitality Haven says
I’m excited about your gardening/canning eBook!!
Amanda (Crunchy Christian Mom) says
This is so funny… I’ve been working on a schedule for summer all week — preparing for my husband to be home for the summer! I’m going to post about it soon — I created a little something to make a visual, flexible family routine.
But after a busy weekend, and a Monday full for errands and chores, we’re starting off the summer with Pajama Day tomorrow!
Joi says
I am not going to be keeping a schedule, but we will work on a routine. Your routine looks great!
We are going to be taking part in our library’s summer reading program, a county farm program, and of course going to the beach. We will also be going to the free movies that are offered at a local theater and bowling at the local alley. :)
I am going to be working on the final ideas this week.
Joelle says
I can elate to so much of what you just said. I could use a handed out schedule! Probably won’t last long, but I definitely to be working harder on this. Love your posts.
Elaine says
I use the book Sanity in the Summertime by Linda Dillow. It has great tips on planning an INTENTIONAL summer.