5 Ways to Set Yourself Up for a Successful Summer

Summer break is here! With Spring concerts completed, final projects turned in, and the last of the school library books fished out from under the bed, it’s time to turn our sights to summer. Whether you’re ecstatic to have the kids home or not quite sure how you’re going to fill your days, these 5 activities will set-up your family for a successful summer.

You may have high hopes or deep fears for the summer. Either way, you want it to be a fantastic season with your Littles. The best way to make that happen is by being intentional. Decide what you want to happen and create a plan to make it reality. Include these five things in your plan for a truly successful summer. Use the accompanying Free Printable to get started.

1.  Reflect

Reflection is a habit of the wise. And now is the perfect time for parents and kids to synthesize the past year before moving forward. What were the highs and lows? What do you want to remember or learn from? Here are a few ideas for meaningful ways to reflect on the school year.

• Parent-Child Interview
  • This is my new favorite! My parents held interviews with us kids when we were growing up. It was always meaningful one-on-one time. I created this interview to have with my kids at the end of each school year. I love that the questions show more depth about my Littles than things like, “What’s your favorite food?” After the kids answered the questions, I went through and answered the same questions about their year from my perspective. The kids loved hearing my ideas, especially about their strengths and how Dad and Mom can better help them. 😉 The time was wonderfully spent together reflecting and then looking toward the future as we discussed their goals. We will save these interviews in the kids’ scrapbooks, and they will be fun to look back on in years to come.

• Scrapbook
  • Spend some time gathering special school papers and pictures and putting them in a scrapbook for the year. Don’t worry about being too artsy or creative if that’s not your thing. Simply having them together in a binder works well.
• Memory List
  • Write a list of all the favorite memories from the year. Go one step further and use this Free Printable to make several memory lists.
• Reflection Art
  • Create a piece of art that represents how you feel about the year.
• Journal
  • Write a journal entry about the year.

2.  Prevent the Summer Slide

Each summer, children around the nation loose academic skills. The loss is especially evident in reading and math and accumulates over time, affecting these kids into their futures. Be proactive with your children during the summer. Plan how you will keep your kids reading and thinking during their break from school, as well as developing socially and spiritually. You are also more likely to keep everyone off screens with some kind of summer plan in place. The following are several things we have done with our Littles that have worked well.

• Daily 7: These are 7 daily habits for the whole child. They will keep your kids active, thinking, and serving. The post includes Free Printables to quickly get you started.
• S.M.I.L.E. Goals: This approach is less structured and more child-led. Help your kids develop their passions this summer.
• Summer Reading at the Library: Most libraries have great programs for kids and adults. If there is no official program, schedule a set time each week to visit the library.
• Read, Read, Read: These 14 ideas will keep your kids turning to books this summer.

3.  Schedule One-on-One Time

Time spent with individual children is precious. That alone time has several benefits. We can get to know our kids better, allowing us to understand how to communicate with and teach them. Our children can feel the truth that they are loved as individuals, which can go a long way in helping them develop self worth. This time is also super enjoyable!

Read this for more about why one-on-one time is important and how to rock it.

With fewer time constraints and often more lax bedtimes or wake-up times, the summer is a wonderful opportunity to increase one-on-one time. Maybe you will have One-on-One Mornings, where you play or talk with one child while the others read or listen to audio books. Perhaps you can put a few special outings on the calendar or keep one child up later than the others once a week. Make a plan so the summer doesn’t pass you by!

4. Create a Summer Dream List

Write down everything you would love to do this summer. Include fun outings and activities, as well as projects around the house. Ask the kids to add their own ideas. I like to make our long list and then have my kids tell me the one thing they would like to do most. Form a plan to accomplish as many of those activities as you desire. It’s really fun to do the things the kids are excited about, especially when they are simple, enjoyable outings like “ride scooters to the park”. Writing your hopes makes them more likely to happen. It’s also great to have this list on hand just in case the kids start slipping into that “I’m bored” place.

Related: Summer Family Bucket List: 25+ Boredom Buster Ideas to Laugh, Learn, and Love

5. Plan to Serve

Service is an incredible way to help each of us develop important skills, strengthen relationships, and increase joy. It is all too easy to get wrapped up in our own lives. Plan ways to consciously get your family focusing on others. Try to incorporate service into your summer “norm,” as well as scheduling one or two bigger service projects.

If you’re looking for service ideas, you can get a free download of my ebook Raising Compassionate Children in a Conceited World, which includes 101 Service Ideas for Families.

These service experiences may be the highlight of your children’s summer.

Wishing You All the Best

This summer will fly by! They always do.  I hope these 5 activities set you up for a fantastic summer. Do them now before it’s time to send the kids back to school!

May you accomplish all you hope to and create lasting memories with your Littles this summer. Wishing you all the best for a joyful summer!

What summer plans do you have for your kids? What are your biggest summer challenges? Share in the comments.

Was this post helpful for you? If so, please share it on Pinterest!