With a new baby and her children home from school on summer vacation, Mom will be trying to catch some time in the day to care for herself as she cares for everyone else. Family life is fun, but is a huge undertaking. That said, being responsible for your children day in and day out and still finding a moment for yourself can be done without having daily burnouts.
There are so many choices of activities in a child's world today that a mother can become confused as to how to schedule her family's summer afternoons. Having worked many years for families with school-age kids and a new baby, I've realized that structure in everyday life will help a mom avoid extra stress. I am going to give you some helpful tips to create the summer you wish to enjoy while caring for your family and yourself too.
Be Focused
The school year requires a different way of planning because you have some downtime in the afternoon for errands.When the kids are home from school, it changes the daily lifestyle. You will be exhausted by the middle of August if you don't make a summer plan for your family. Knowing that the next couple of months can be full of beautiful moments and great memories, be focused and avoid problems before they arise.
Be Prepared
Prepare bins of summer outdoor toys and summer clothes for everyone. Keep your workload simple by having extra sunblock, towels, and disposable utensils, plates, and cups available to your kids. Buy snacks and beverages in bulk.
Be Clear Yet Fun
Bring the family together by laying out a weekly plan of fun things to do and boundaries that are set. You will encourage your children to be thoughtful towards each other. Keep a bulletin board of activities so everyone gets a chance to have a "pick of the week." Some of your children may not be inclined to do what the others like, so keep them happy by letting them sit and play a game or listen to some music.
Be Playful
Instead of having your children just watch television or getting lost in their electronic gadgets, you should help make fun memories with them. Read a book to them and act out the story. Make up voices for the characters in the book. Your children will have so much more fun as they see you bring out your inner child and get silly too. Run with them, play tag, jump in the pool, and create beautiful summertime memories that they will never forget. Kids love parents to be a part of the summer fun.
Be Vigilant of Your Self Care
Mothers are focused on taking care of their families because they want them to have a great summer. It's easy for a mom to overdo her job, leaving no time for her own self care. Each day, choose an hour where the kids will have quiet time. This is when you can meditate, exercise or do whatever else nourishes your soul.
Be Well-Rested
Being busy all day will take a toll on your energies. Make sure you get some extra hours of sleep a few nights a week to prevent burnout. Remember to take your vitamin supplements daily and only do what you can because it is an exhausting time of year. Call a family friend or neighbor if you feel like you need a little support or a helping hand.