{"id":3977,"date":"2022-04-09T15:53:59","date_gmt":"2022-04-09T22:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/?p=3977"},"modified":"2022-05-31T11:01:13","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T18:01:13","slug":"practical-questions-for-spring-reflection-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2022\/04\/09\/practical-questions-for-spring-reflection-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Practical Questions for Spring Reflection &#038; Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[Here is a favorite from the archive. I hope it helps you as we move through this season.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 24%\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/PXL_20210416_213702030-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-645 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/PXL_20210416_213702030-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/PXL_20210416_213702030-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/PXL_20210416_213702030-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/PXL_20210416_213702030-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/PXL_20210416_213702030-1560x2080.jpg 1560w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/PXL_20210416_213702030-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>It is spring.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.&nbsp; 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\u2019t want to even think about swim lessons\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:21% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"777\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/andrea-riondino-XXxqULHs19M-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1262 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/andrea-riondino-XXxqULHs19M-unsplash.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/andrea-riondino-XXxqULHs19M-unsplash-247x300.jpg 247w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a kid, summer vacation was full of so much freedom. No school! Backyard slip \u2018n slides and popsicles that stained my t-shirt. Reading all my favorite books from the library. Playing Mario Brothers on the Nintendo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was effortless and free.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But now I am a mom, a homeschool mom, a homemaker, the cook, and the planner of all the things. <strong>Summer does not feel the same. It is a lot of work.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I always remind myself that <strong>the first step is finishing the school year well.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><strong>Spring and summer do not feel carefree and easy. <\/strong><\/p><p><strong>As a mom it is a lot of work.<\/strong> <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/alexandru-tudorache-JdjdIjzJl94-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3984\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/alexandru-tudorache-JdjdIjzJl94-unsplash.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/alexandru-tudorache-JdjdIjzJl94-unsplash-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>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.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Homeschooling and Kids Activities:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What does our schoolwork look like?  <ul><li>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. <\/li><li>My goal is always to finish all the schoolwork by the middle of May.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>What end-of-the-year activities do we plan to attend or participate in? <ul><li>Graduations, performances, special events, showcases\u2026<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>How can we celebrate accomplishments as a family?<\/li><li>What supplies, stuff, school materials, and books do we no longer need? <ul><li>(see here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2021\/08\/26\/decluttering-my-home-school-space\/\">Decluttering My Home School Space<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>How can I declutter what was not used this year? <ul><li>If I declutter while it is fresh in my mind. Then it won\u2019t be in the way in August.  <\/li><\/ul><ul><li>(see this article for more ideas: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2021\/06\/21\/declutter-clear-mind\/\">Decluttering Clears My Mind<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. The Home:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What clothing will I not be needing in the coming months? What clothing am I looking forward to wearing this summer?&nbsp; What do I need?<\/li><li>What clothing needs do the kids have? What have they outgrown?<\/li><li>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?<\/li><li>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.<\/li><li>What is in my freezer that I need to get rid of? Roasts, casseroles, soup ingredients that need to be used up?<\/li><li>How can I organize the game closet so that it will get used this summer?<\/li><li>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?<\/li><li>Toy organization &#8211; What has been working? What needs to change? What toys can we get rid of to make more space for creativity and play?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Our Schedule:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>How can I enjoy the weather changing this week?<\/li><li>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?<\/li><li>What activities are ending? What are those dates?<\/li><li>What in our schedule has been difficult or not fun for us? Why?<\/li><li>What did we do this school year that we definitely want to continue?<\/li><li>Which type of event did we have too much of? What do we need more of?<\/li><li>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?<\/li><li>How much free time did we have? Can I make space for more next year?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"960\" data-id=\"3983\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/jessica-fadel-HjKAx1kTKsI-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3983\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/jessica-fadel-HjKAx1kTKsI-unsplash.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/jessica-fadel-HjKAx1kTKsI-unsplash-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whatever this spring brings you, I hope you can take some time for reflection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Happy Planning, April<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">                 To see how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2021\/04\/18\/my-summer-planning\/\">I Plan For Summer<\/a> check out this article.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/source.unsplash.com\/FHnnjk1Yj7Y\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Photos from &nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@khurtwilliams?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Kh\u00fcrt Williams<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@jessicalfadel\">Jessica Fadel<\/a>, &nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@andurache\">Alexandru Tudorache<\/a>&nbsp; and others on <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Unsplash.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">(Check it out this amazing creative resource!)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-5691 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-mom-life category-writing tag-april-edwards tag-substack tag-subtle-resistance tag-writer tag-writing-updates\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2025\/02\/21\/join-me-on-substack\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1560\" height=\"1040\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSC05179-1560x1040.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Join me on Substack!\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSC05179-1560x1040.jpg 1560w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSC05179-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSC05179-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSC05179-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSC05179-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSC05179-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1560px) 100vw, 1560px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2025\/02\/21\/join-me-on-substack\/\" target=\"_self\" >Join me on Substack!<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Hey! Hello! \ud83d\ude01 I am so glad you have found my blog! This is my home place where I test out writing work, post weekly articles, and share updates on my books. I love having my own corner of the internet that I can call my own. Unfortunately, because of bots and ugly internet trolls,&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-6286 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-my-reading-stack tag-book-recommendations tag-book-recs tag-books tag-communication tag-my-book-stack tag-my-personal-curriculum-plan tag-personal-curriculum tag-personal-learning tag-writing\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2026\/06\/16\/5-min-reading-10-non-religious-books\/\" target=\"_self\" >5-Min. Reading: 10 Non-Religious Books<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">A recording from April Edwards&#8217;s live video I love starting my day with a few minutes of reading. I pick books that will be friendly companions to my tired and slow moving brain. Often what I am looking for is something structured in a way that it is easy to read in short 5-10 minutes&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-6293 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-intellectually-alive category-mom-life category-sabbath-living tag-books tag-growth tag-june tag-june-reading tag-learning tag-monthly-curriculum-recap tag-my-book-basket tag-my-book-stack tag-my-learning tag-my-personal-curriculum-plan tag-my-reading tag-new-hobby tag-personal-curriculum tag-personal-curriculum-planning tag-personal-growth tag-personal-learning tag-productivity-for-moms tag-reading-stack tag-recap tag-spring-curriculum tag-summer tag-summer-curriculum tag-summer-planning tag-summer-reading\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2026\/06\/09\/my-1-tip-for-personal-curriculum-progress\/\" target=\"_self\" >My #1 Tip for Personal Curriculum Progress<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">An overly busy and exhausting schedule will leave you with nothing but recovery needs. Because I am anti-gatekeeping and I love to be highly practical here is my main point right away\u2026 If the goal is adulthood where you feel alive, present, creative, and fully yourself\u2026 then you must make space for learning, reading, new&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-6313 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-intellectually-alive category-my-reading-stack tag-books tag-growth tag-june tag-june-reading tag-learning tag-monthly-curriculum-recap tag-my-book-basket tag-my-book-stack tag-my-learning tag-my-personal-curriculum-plan tag-my-reading tag-new-hobby tag-personal-curriculum tag-personal-curriculum-planning tag-personal-growth tag-personal-learning tag-productivity-for-moms tag-reading-stack tag-recap tag-spring-curriculum tag-summer tag-summer-curriculum tag-summer-planning tag-summer-reading\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2026\/06\/04\/my-june-personal-curriculum-plans\/\" target=\"_self\" >My June Personal Curriculum Plans<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">what&#8217;s in my reading basket this month Every summer has it\u2019s own unique story and it\u2019s shaped by who is in my home, what activities we commit to, and what trips we have planned. Some summers become very academic with added school subjects, classes at the rec center, and museum trips. Other summers look more&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[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.&nbsp; What will this&hellip; <\/p>\n<div class=\"readmore-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2022\/04\/09\/practical-questions-for-spring-reflection-planning\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read <\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3982,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stc_notifier_status":"sent","_stc_notifier_sent_time":"2022-04-09 17:07:30","_stc_notifier_request":false,"_stc_notifier_prevent":false,"_stc_subscriber_keywords":"","_stc_subscriber_search_areas":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,37],"tags":[266,26,80,47,18,267,57,21,100,16],"class_list":["post-3977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mom-life","category-seasonal-planning","tag-end-of-year","tag-home-management","tag-homeschooling","tag-mom-life","tag-planning","tag-preparing-for-summer","tag-productivity","tag-reflection","tag-seasonal-planning","tag-spring"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3977"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3977\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3995,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3977\/revisions\/3995"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}