Probably the only thing I really love about summer is that the days are long. Yes, I’m clearly not a summer person. However, while longer days means more time, it also means putting systems and routines into place to make that time intentional and productive.
Here are some simple routines for the summer to keep you and your family organized, easily and effortlessly:
Wake Up Early
Yes, the summer is the perfect time to start waking up early. Even 30 minutes will make a difference to how much you will be able to achieve in a day. For instance, if you wake up at 6:30 AM instead of 7 AM, you’ll have a full half hour to shower, dress, meditate, drink your coffee in peace before waking up the rest of the household. If, like me, you work out of home, waking up early can also mean crossing off important work-related to-dos before getting on with the day.
Plan Hearty Breakfasts and Light Lunches
When you sit down to plan your menu for the week, try to make lunches as light as possible to prevent the post-lunch lethargy and sluggishness. Also, start your day off right with a nice, hearty breakfast that would keep everyone active and alert and high on energy.
Do a Load of Laundry Every Day
Long hot days mean frequent changes of clothes, at least here in India. My daughter, for instance, wears a school uniform in the morning. When she returns in the afternoon, that goes into the wash and she wears her play clothes. Sometimes, if she has a splash fest or an ice-cream session, she needs to change out of those before she heads to the park in the evening. And when she returns, she takes a bath and changes into her night clothes. That is, a total of 4 (four!!) outfits in one day.
Yes, doing laundry every day during the summer is a must if you’re in a hot and humid environment. Trust me.
Plan Indoor Activities for During the Day
Since hotter days mean heading out less during the morning hours, try to keep house-related chores and indoor activities for the day. For moms, it can mean finishing work, household chores – laundry, dishes, cleaning and maybe, getting in that much-needed aerobics session. Keep the kids occupied and engaged with books, crafts, music, movie DVDs and of course, toys!
Make the Evenings Outdoor Family Time
Since you would have spent most of the daytime inside the house, let the evenings be for outdoor time together. Head to the park, play ball or walk down to the grocery store to pick up the next day’s supplies or simply, go cycling or running together. Not only is this a great way to unwind and spend quality time together, it is an easy way to enjoy the cool summer evenings.
Spread Household Chores Through the Week
Not only should you try to finish chores during the day, try to spread them through the week. Doing so will not only give your summer routines and schedule some breathing space but will also make it easier for you to finish more without getting exhausted in the heat.
More Tips on Routines and Schedules for Busy Moms and Homemakers
- Five Things to Do Every Sunday
- Simple Daily and Weekly Routines for an Organized Home
- Organized and Happy Morning and Evening Routines
- Tips for Rush-Free School Mornings
- WAHM Systems for Summer
What summer routines do you put in place to enjoy the season?
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Photo Credit: eyeliam
[...] Summer months are a great time to start kids on learning new skills. Being away from school helps them focus on a new skill with greater enthusiasm and focus. Our 4-year old has just started tennis lessons and is keeping a keen eye on the French Open. **laughing** [...]