Happy summer! Simply Placed Professional Organizer (and mom of 3) Kelly here with your Monday Mom‘s Moment!
I don’t know about you, but summer vacation always seems to sneak up on me. Before I know it, the kids are out of school and the chaos begins. Don’t get me wrong, I truly love the childhood freedom summer break brings. Sometimes though, the lack of routine can become, well…challenging. Sibling fights are more frequent, the house is messier, and it can be hard to just “get going.” Yes, my kids are signed up for summer camps and we have a few vacations in the works but now and then, there is an unmistakable “mood” in the air. At my house this mood is referred to as becoming a “Summer Slug.” This mood breeds disorganization and stress!
So to ease the curse of the Summer Slugs, I have a few summer survival tips to share. If any of this sounds familiar to you, please, steal them all!
1. To charge up an otherwise uneventful day, start off the morning with a breakfast meeting. Let your kids take turns choosing a fun activity…the library, zoo, board games, etc. Jot down a loose schedule to follow for the day. It’s okay if you don’t stick to it 100%, the schedule itself can provide motivation and the daily plan satisfies young attention spans.
2. How many times have you heard summer is the perfect time to get your home in tip top shape? Yeah, right! It can be so hard to get kids to help out around the house but can be even more difficult in the summertime. At least when they’re at school they can’t make a mess at home during school hours! To combat this problem, create a chore chart with your kids…yeah I know you have probably heard that one before but I’m talking about a Super Star Summer Chart! Well, that’s what you can tell your younger kids anyway. Really, it’s a regular old chore chart that only lasts for the summer. Having an end in sight will help rally the kiddos. Have them decorate it and make it “theirs.” Be sure to have a reward system in place like a trip to the movies or a beach picnic when the chart fills up.
3. Have a yard sale. Yes, another no-brainer, but I’m telling you it can be a great way to clear the clutter and keep the kids busy. Here’s the trick: the kids get to choose what to do with the money earned. Huge motivator! Last summer, my kids worked their little tails off to afford a family camping trip. The summer before that, they chose to give the proceeds to Haiti after the tragedy. Get rid of old toys, clothes, furniture…anything that is bogging you down and taking up valuable space in your home. You’ll feel more relaxed, carefree, and just happy. Exactly how we should feel in the summer!
Goodbye Summer Slugs!
Do you have any summertime tips to share? If so, PLEASE send them our way. We’d love to hear them. REALLY…we moms need to help each other out!
