Stress-Free Summer Break
A stress-free summer break seems to be in order after this last year. Most parents pulled double or triple duty, working from home while also supporting their kids who were learning at home. This is, of course, on top of all the normal household obligations. Any other summer, we might suggest ways to avoid the summer slide and suggest activities to keep your kids learning. This summer? We suggest nothing but finding ways to relax together as much as possible. But because we don’t want your stress-free summer to create clutter or organizational havoc, these ideas are all clutter-free!
BACK YARD MOVIE NIGHT
There’s no reason you can’t enjoy a night under the stars with your family while sharing a great movie. Whether you have a projector that allows you to put the movie up on a screen, sheet, or the fence or you just gather around the laptop with the fire blazing in the fire pit, movie night gives you something to look forward to every week.
CONTAINER GARDENING WITH THE KIDS
Putting in a full garden might be a lot to manage, but letting your kids build and care for a small container garden can be a delightful experience. You can purchase container garden kids or build one; be sure to choose a rich, nutritious soil, and let the kids plant a few vegetables of their choice.
STRESS-FREE SUMMER BREAK ROAD TRIP!
Whether you stay within the range of where you can drive in a day or get back on a plane for the first time, the travel season has definitely started. Get your kids in on the planning, whether it’s helping to choose the destination or helping to pack the suitcase. Not the right time for a trip? Try a staycation instead. Take time away from work, have a campout in the backyard or living room, and plan fun activities throughout the week, including local adventures around your town.
START A FAMILY EXERCISE HABIT
Buy bikes or skates or just start taking an after-dinner walk. Exercising together can not only build stronger bonds but also helps everyone release stress, get healthier, and enjoy the summer weather.
The last thing you should worry about this summer is a learning slide. Now is the time to relish in the time you get to spend having fun with your family, doing the things you might not have been able to do in the last year, and seeing the people from whom you had to remain socially distanced.
What do you have planned for this summer?