I don’t know any kids that don’t love summer. The
break from school, camps, vacations, baseball, swimming, popsicles, fireflies…there’s
just so much fun stuff going on. But for parents, it’s not always sunshine and
roses. Summer can be a chaotic time, the school routine is gone, the excitement
of being home more often has worn off and the words “I’m bored,” have gone on
repeat.
Here are 5 simple tips to calm the summer chaos.
1) Cut the screen time.
Everybody goes through some binge time when it comes
to the television, computer, video games, and cell phones, but it’s not healthy
for us. Think about the last Netflix binge you had and how it felt when you
finally crawled off the couch. I’m betting you felt kind of cruddy, I always
do. The same thing happens to our kiddos' bodies too when they spend too much
time in front of a screen. Encourage your
kids to cut the screen time and get up and do something. Send them outside to
play. Go on a scavenger hunt. Go catch fireflies. Read a book. Play a board
game. The possibilities are endless.
2)Stay Healthy
99% of families are on the go go go through the
summer. Late night ball tournaments, summer camps, and swimming lessons often
mean quick on–the-go meals that are prepackaged or fast food. Your whole
family will feel better with bellies full of nutritious foods. Take the mess
out of the kitchen and use your barbecue grill for quick and healthy options. Utilize
your slow cooker. Make ahead meals and freeze them. Here in North Missouri,
many Hy-Vee’s offer Freezer Meal workshops and for those of us unsure where to start a guided class can be a great option.
3) Set a routine.
While kids may initially enjoy the freedom of
being out of their school routine, after a while it can become detrimental.
Kids thrive on routine, being able to know what is going to happen and planning
for it can help them feel safe and able to take care of themselves. Summer time
allows for a looser routine, but try and keep some things constant, especially
bedtime.
4) Make the kids help with the chores.
Having the kids home more means more snacks, more
meals, more laundry, and more messes. Have your kids help with the daily
chores. It means less work for you, which equals less stress and it teaches
them responsibility. Keep the chores age appropriate, but remember, even small
children can help clean up their toys and messes.
5) Schedule in "me" time.
This point is the last on the list because it is the
most important for everyone in your family. Make time in your schedule for
everyone to have some time to themselves. Siblings spend more time together
over the summer break than usual and often start to drive each other nuts.
Making sure that everyone has a little time to themselves can help ease the
fights and the whining, which can definitely help calm the chaos.
Do you have
any other tips for managing the summer chaos? We’d love to hear what works in
your house.
