Summer is quickly approaching, my kids get out of school this month. To help ensure our summer can be the best it can be, I am sharing some tips for planning the Perfect Summer Bucket List.
What is Summer?
First figure out what summer means to you and your family. Does it mean days at the beach? Lots of lazy days in pajamas? A day of kids just being free? A few activities now and then or constantly on the go? For each of us it will be different, but stop and figure out what would be the best for your family. If you are just copying someone's list on Pinterest, it really might not be the right fit for your family.
The One Thing
What is the one thing everyone really wants to do? Try if possible to get that one thing, big or small scheduled during your summer. This means sitting down with everyone and getting their ideas and input.
Tradition
Don't under estimate the power of tradition. Sure you might have done it last year, but kids thrive on routine and consistency. There might be some things they anticipate will happen; don't neglect those things in the hopes of trying to plan the perfect summer. Every year right before we go back to school, we have a YES Day, a day where the answer to every question is yes (don't worry there are some rules).
Plan for Messes
Your nice clean house, the neatly folded laundry- realize some of this might slip a little. Now I am not saying to never clean your house or do any laundry, but realize that in your fun there might be more messes. There probably will be more time spent playing than cleaning, but that is okay! The memories, this time, is much more important.
When it is time to clean it is a perfect time to get the kids involved, they have the time now. Don't forget to find products that make your life easier, like all free clear laundry detergent. Our summers involve a lot of water days which means wet bathing suits, piles of towels and sand in everything, the beach likes to come home with you.
I love that I can use all free clear and know that not only will it fight those stains (hello Popsicle drips), but it is also safe and gentle on the skin. It is the #1 recommended detergent brand by dermatologists, allergists and pediatricians for sensitive skin. I love that I can feel safe using it for my whole family.
Schedule It
After you figure out your list, make a general plan or schedule of your events. If you just leave it as a list, you will either rush through the list and do it all at once, or put things off until it is too late. Make a schedule!
Forget Perfection
Yes the title of this post says planning the Perfect Summer Bucket List, but there is no such thing. Nothing will ever be perfect, there will be amazing days and some down right awful days; but if we just step back and look for those good moments, remember the good days and realize we it is okay if we don't accomplish our whole list, then we can truly enjoy summer.
Need some ideas? Here are some of the things that made our Summer Bucket List
What are your summers likes? Do you like to have a big plan or do you just go with the flow?
I am excited to create our summer bucket list with me kids! My oldest starts Kindergarten in the fall and I want to soak up all of his summer! We use All Free and Clear too and I love it!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome summer!
ReplyDeleteOur summers are super messy and fun too. Thank goodness for my massive washing machine...now only if I had a laundry fairy to put it all away!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
www.queenofthelandoftwigsnberries.com
Your list looks like so much fun! I am going to come and play with you this summer!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving reading everyone's summer to do lists, I might just have to make one myself!! Thank you for sharing! Please link up and share this as I know others will love it, over at http://www.wrightsimply.com/2015/05/wordless-wednesday-linky-giveaway.html
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful night! xx Ashleigh @SimplyWright
Great post! Like when you say don't plan for perfection and figure out what works for YOUR family! I find it's a balance...some days are jammed packed and then others we stay in our pj's all day! Thanks for sharing! xox Christine | Amidst the Chaos
ReplyDelete"Forget Perfection" was my favorite section! :) Thanks for sharing! I have a little one who is too small for a lot of the "summer bucket list" ideas, but I'm brainstorming a few for us!
ReplyDeleteWe have a vacation coming up, but we are a more of a play it by ear family, so I never make a list. We just take it a day at a time :)
ReplyDeleteThis is my first summer at home and I am beyond excited to spend it exploring with the kids. We are working on our bucket list now and it's getting longer by the day lol!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tip is to forget perfection. We're really relaxed and spontaneous during the summer. I tried to plan all sorts of things, but then got stressed when they didn't work out. Now, we just do whatever we think of doing that day!
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to the summer! I love letting the kids sleep in (because they actually do that now!), play outside all day and get dirty. We also do alot of day trips, picnics at the beach, and always one big road trip. We try to get all we can out of the summer!
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ReplyDeleteI love your first statement "First figure out what summer means to you and your family." I think that is a great guide to go by and keep everyone on task and having fun. This summer I am taking my grandkids separately and spending a week with each so I need to get some All detergent to get rid of all the dirt that comes from our fun weeks.
ReplyDeleteThis bucket list sounds super fun and a lot similar to mine still at age 26 and with no kids, ha! I used to love when my mom took me to the library during summer, it's the reason I still love to read to this day!! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI like the comment on tradition. I cannot let a summer go without a least a couple of days at the beach. Those days have to have the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! Will have to make a list with my old and some new activities on it..
ReplyDeleteSummer takes on a bit of a different meaning once you become an empty nester like us. I enjoy watching my daughters develop their own family traditions. My daughter with children has their summer planned in advance every year with all the details. I enjoy watching them enjoy their summer.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun bucket list. Too bad our summer is only three weeks, and Ethan will be gone on trips and camps for two of them. boohoohoo. Oh well. We have off-track bucket lists. ;)
ReplyDeleteWe have started mapping out our summer! The kids have so many camps and clinics, but they have narrowed down some things they want to do.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you and your family are going to have the best summer ever-doing what you all like doing best!
ReplyDeleteGreat bucket list. I don't have children but y fiance and I will plan a few things to do.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun list of summer things to do! It's so easy to get the days get away from you if you don't have a plan. This list is a perfect way to try to not let that happen.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are having a ball with your kids. I love the list of things to do. May need to take part.
ReplyDeleteWe spend our summers in Italy so the bucket is almost always the same-go to the beach, eat gelato and pizza, get a tan, visit family and friends...;-)
ReplyDeleteYour list is just wonderful. I like the FORGET PERFECTION idea. SUMMER can be VERY messy and I love that
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun Summer Bucket List you have planned! Thanks for sharing it today and remember the times of childhood , fun, freedom and play!
ReplyDeleteLast summer was all work and no play. We didn't go swimming ONCE! That is going on our bucket list for this summer. I am also thinking a trip over the weekend somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for all of the summer activities! I also cannot wait to create our own summer bucket list :D I love the things you added on yours, especially having a beach day, having an outdoor picnic, and the yes day!
ReplyDeleteWe love Summer Bucket lists!! SO fun!
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