Summertime Advice Makes Fun For The Entire Family
“Summertime may have a reputation for being a season of lazy days, relaxation, and bottomless glasses of ice-cold lemonade, but for many parents, the season is chockfull of family fun, children’s activities and travel adventure,” according to “The Epoch Times.” “Managing all of that while still keeping the gears of life moving can create a season that’s busier than expected.”
The news outlet offers several tips to help parents save valuable time this summer.
Wake early up. Set your alarm and enjoy quiet mornings with a relaxed cup of coffee, a good book or journal, and time to breathe and slowly begin your day. It’s amazing how rejuvenating and inspiring this can be. To make the most of it, be sure to keep your phone far away.
In-between time. As you go about your day, take advantage of tiny pockets of “in-between” time. You can make the most of these snippets of time. Small bursts of productivity throughout the day can add up significantly.
Summer chores. Encourage your children to contribute to the household by assigning summer chores. One child may be in charge of taking out the trash, another may be in charge of loading and unloading the dishwasher and another may be responsible for dusting. Teach them how to successfully complete their chores and clearly explain your expectations.
Tidy as you go. Always leave a room better than you found it, and get into the habit of tidying as you move about your home. Before going to bed each night, do one last tidying blitz, and encourage your family members to do all they can to clean up after themselves.
Batch-cook. Once a week, prepare the basic elements of multiple meals, such as protein, vegetables and snacks. The grill can be a great tool to prepare chicken. Later in the week, that chicken can be added to a salad or topped with cheese and marinara. Stock your fridge with ready-to-go items that you can enjoy throughout the week.
Block-schedule. Although events may vary more widely in the summer than they do during the rest of the year, putting daily time blocks in place can be beneficial and reduce decision fatigue. The key is to keep them simple and consistent. For example, time blocks could include an early morning routine, free time, afternoon activities and errands, dinner time and a bedtime routine.
Minimize to-do lists. It can be tempting to think that now that it’s summer, you’ve got extra time to get things done. Rather than setting yourself up for frustration, pick three top priorities to tackle each day. If you check off three things each day, you’ll be amazed at what you accomplish during the entire summer.
Have fun. Enjoy this special season with your family, be sure to pencil in the rest you need and soak up the sun. Each summer has its own character, and each year your children are in different stages. Enjoy it.
–Alan Goforth and the Epoch Times
