 The past summers I’ve had a babysitter come throughout the week to help me while I juggle work and kids. But, this year looks different. Summer 2022 is the summer I’m home and fully on mom duty. My work hasn’t disappeared. I just want time with my littles before my oldest heads off to Kindergarten. I don’t know about you, but I was overwhelmed when the last week of school hit. What are we going to do all day? How do I juggle it all.? “Okay, Kaley, breathe.” When I stepped out of the panic, I realized I wanted this next few months to be purposeful. A summer that’s intentional and fun. One where core memories are made. And, that’s not just going to happen by itself. So, here are three simple things I did to get a family plan together to have the best summer ever with our kids.  Summer days can all blend together. If we’re not intentional with our time, it can either blow us by or blow us over as moms with littles. The best way I’ve found to avoid this is creating a calendar and chore station in my home so our whole family can be on the same page and plan ahead.
 We’re out of school which means no teacher. By default, this makes me now the teacher for my kids. I’m a little intimated by that, but owning it. So, I’m making a “teaching plan” every week. It isn’t extensive or crazy. It’s simple. There’s coloring sheets and books. Really, I’m just handing them things to do instead of passing them the TV remote. Moms, we can do this! Here’s the process.
BAM! You have a summer with a plan.  As much as kids truly are wild and free, they also thrive in routine. They need us to say, “Here are the boundaries, now go be wild and free within those lines.” It gives them purpose, place and space. They feel safe. So, the last thing to really do is now create a daily routine. For an example, daily schedule looks like this: Daily Schedule 6:15- Mom wake up, quiet time, devotional reading, coffee in peace Kids wake up-9- Mom works while kids eat breakfast and watch educational TV (like PBS). 9-10- Complete morning chores, pack lunches, change and get ready for the day. Lesson prep and printouts. Free play if kids are ready but Mom isn’t. 10-11:30- Gym (kids are checked into childcare). Mom finish work for the morning on elliptical. 11:30-2- Pool and picnic 2-2:45- Showers and regroup 3-4:30- Lesson Time. Quote Bible verse of the month, share theme, book, learning activity, craft 4-Dinner- Free time! ABCmouse.com on iPads, play in room, quiet time, Mom revisit work and tie up loose ends. 6:30-8- Night chores, family time, wind down, book, bed. Do we follow this perfectly every day? No way! But, it gives us a basic structure to build our life off of. So, what does this look like for you? It’s ironic, but to have “spontaneous fun” you often have to plan and be prepared for it when you have a family with toddlers. So, make a plan so that you can be a little more free! There is a family calendar that you can fill in for your family in the Best Summer Ever Toolkit. It will appear right in your inbox when you subscribe to my newsletter! On the real... make this summer and your general life as simple as possible. Buy the lunchables, make sure “me time” and date nights get on the calendar too, create a weekly pizza and movie night where you can catch a break. We’re creating a summer our WHOLE FAMILY can enjoy here. I hope with all my heart that summer 2022 is our best summer yet as moms. That it’s full of memories with sticky popsicles, sun kissed toddler cheeks, laughter and joy with our spouses, and rest. Now, let’s plan for it!  This blog was written by Kaley Rivera Thompson. She is the owner of this blog, an author, worship leader and speaker. She's always down for a cup of coffee or a good hike. You can find out more about her on this website www.kriverathompson.com or on her instagram, @kriverathompson. 
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