Planning For Summer

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The words “plan” and “summer” don’t seem like they go together. It’s every family’s biggest chunk of free time so it doesn’t seem like a plan is necessary or wanted. And maybe that’s the case. If so, consider yourselves one of the lucky ones.

For most of us, the hectic schedules continue—perhaps even increasing in severity. After all, now you have to fit in camp and vacation(s) and sports and… If that sounds like you, here are some hints on how to plan the summer.

Ramp up to school

If it’s possible, don’t schedule the major vacation or camp right before school starts. It’s too much of a shocking change to go from lounging by the pool or fishing at a national park to being confined in a classroom for eight hours.

Instead, schedule the big things in a way that gives some lead-time for the start of school, even if it’s just a week. That gives you an opportunity to adjust the kids back to a reasonable sleep schedule and perhaps prime their brains for the school year with some of the ideas we had about keeping kids sharp over the summer.

Do something new

If summer follows a predictable routine every year, eventually it doesn’t seem special anymore. Everyone just goes through the motions. It might as well be October!

Make it a point of trying something new every summer, whether that’s a trip destination or simply a new hobby. Maybe it doesn’t work out. Maybe it becomes one of your new favorite summertime activities. Either way, summer will feel fresh again.

Give everyone ownership

Schedules are sometimes dominated by one person’s needs or a particular aspect of family life. Perhaps you are locked into always going to see Aunt Edna every summer because she can’t travel to see you. Perhaps a kid’s swimming camp throws off the rest of the summer schedule.

Some of those things are unavoidable. For the rest of the time, give everyone a chunk to do with what they choose. Let the kids choose a trip. Give dad time for a golf weekend (the family can still come and hang by the pool). With this, there is less feeling that the summer got away from everybody and less resentment that someone always gets priority.

The plan is just a guideline

Some of the best memories are those that didn’t go according to plan. Yes, you might have something scheduled at the end of a long drive, but when is the next time you’ll have an opportunity to see the world’s largest acorn?

The beauty of summer is that there’s usually plenty of time for everything. Yes, plane schedules and other things just can’t be moved without penalty, but other than that the sweetest words on any summer day are “what should we do today?”

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