[Here is a favorite from the archive. I hope it helps you as we move through this season.]
It is spring.
The Palo Verde trees are blooming and it is heating up during the day. As I rummage for my flip-flops in my closet, I begin to think about our summer plans. What will this summer look like? What adventures will we have? What kind of camps are in the budget this year? Have we finished that history textbook yet? I don’t want to even think about swim lessons…
The questions start rolling in. In rapid-fire with stress and excitement. I quickly shove the flip-flops back into the depths of that basket and escape to the kitchen to make blueberry muffins.
As a kid, summer vacation was full of so much freedom. No school! Backyard slip ‘n slides and popsicles that stained my t-shirt. Reading all my favorite books from the library. Playing Mario Brothers on the Nintendo.
It was effortless and free.
But now I am a mom, a homeschool mom, a homemaker, the cook, and the planner of all the things. Summer does not feel the same. It is a lot of work.
I always remind myself that the first step is finishing the school year well.
When the month of April rolls around, my focus is looking at where we are right now. I force myself to slow down and do some reflection.
Spring and summer do not feel carefree and easy.
As a mom it is a lot of work.
I look at these 3 areas to know where I have been and where I am going. Some questions I can answer easily, others take some time.
1. Homeschooling and Kids Activities:
- What does our schoolwork look like?
- Since we homeschool I also wear the teacher hat. I have to think about how many lessons we have in each book and if we will finish all our curriculum.
- My goal is always to finish all the schoolwork by the middle of May.
- What end-of-the-year activities do we plan to attend or participate in?
- Graduations, performances, special events, showcases…
- How can we celebrate accomplishments as a family?
- What supplies, stuff, school materials, and books do we no longer need?
- (see here: Decluttering My Home School Space)
- How can I declutter what was not used this year?
- If I declutter while it is fresh in my mind. Then it won’t be in the way in August.
- (see this article for more ideas: Decluttering Clears My Mind)
2. The Home:
- What clothing will I not be needing in the coming months? What clothing am I looking forward to wearing this summer? What do I need?
- What clothing needs do the kids have? What have they outgrown?
- What foods are in my pantry that I need to use up? What baking goods do I need to finish before that summer heat rolls in?
- Are there any potatoes, fresh pumpkins, or onions that I need to cook? Those are all items that get rotated into my Fall and Winter cooking but not as much during Summer dinners.
- What is in my freezer that I need to get rid of? Roasts, casseroles, soup ingredients that need to be used up?
- How can I organize the game closet so that it will get used this summer?
- What are the activities that the kids can do when they are bored? How do I organize those things and where do I keep them?
- Toy organization – What has been working? What needs to change? What toys can we get rid of to make more space for creativity and play?
3. Our Schedule:
- How can I enjoy the weather changing this week?
- Can we go hiking to see the wildflowers blooming? What parks should we go to? What outdoor places do we want to visit before it gets too hot?
- What activities are ending? What are those dates?
- What in our schedule has been difficult or not fun for us? Why?
- What did we do this school year that we definitely want to continue?
- Which type of event did we have too much of? What do we need more of?
- How often did I host parties, out-of-town guests, and playdates? Is there something that I need to do more often or maybe cut back on?
- How much free time did we have? Can I make space for more next year?
Reflecting on our current school year is helpful in many ways. It informs my decision-making for our summer vacation and for the next school year. I can make a list of ideas while it’s fresh on my mind. Each year is unique and requires adjustments. There are some events that are in my control and others not so much.
After I have spent some time going through this reflection process then the month of May is close and I am finally ready to plan for summer.
Whatever this spring brings you, I hope you can take some time for reflection.
Happy Planning, April
To see how I Plan For Summer check out this article.
Photos from Khürt Williams, Jessica Fadel, Alexandru Tudorache and others on Unsplash.com.
(Check it out this amazing creative resource!)
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