{"id":5746,"date":"2025-04-29T04:06:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T11:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/?p=5746"},"modified":"2025-03-26T15:12:10","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T22:12:10","slug":"3-helpful-steps-for-planning-summer-break-free-pdf-printables","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2025\/04\/29\/3-helpful-steps-for-planning-summer-break-free-pdf-printables\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Helpful Steps for Planning Summer Break [+free PDF printables]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If I am NOT the one deciding what my summer looks like then it gets decided FOR me. I get peace and clarity along with my planning.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By the time April &amp; May show up on the calendar I am ready to start my summer planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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. It was effortless and free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But now I am a mom, homeschool mom, homemaker, cook, and the &#8220;planner of all the things&#8221;. Summer does not feel the same. It is a lot of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, for me, living a life with intention is at the top of my list. Even if it takes time and planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If I am NOT the one deciding what my summer looks like then it gets decided FOR me.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I get peace and clarity along with my planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By choosing to live deliberately, I make decisions about what my summer will look like and feel like for my family ahead of time. I want to step into our fall season rested and ready for the next school year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F52097ad0-0772-481f-b14b-d5ac33a83144_640x480.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F52097ad0-0772-481f-b14b-d5ac33a83144_640x480.jpeg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">photo from Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>So I spend a Saturday afternoon alone with my journal, my lists, our calendar, and a tall latte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I ask myself all the questions.<\/em> I make lists. I write out meal ideas and activities to try. I look up all the info on all the things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I usually forget my planning routine and it takes me extra time to remember. So I have written it all out here for you (and for my future self).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the steps that I go through to plan out the many details of our summer break. Some of these might seem simple or silly. But, hopefully, I am saving you time and mental effort. \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Planning Our Summer Break:<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1 &#8211; the family calendar and scheduled events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First, I place the big events and bookends of my schedule first.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When is the End of the School Year \/ Start of Next Year?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next, I block out all scheduled events.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Holidays &amp; birthdays<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Long vacations planned<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The homeschool convention (in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.afhe.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AZ it is AFHE<\/a> and it is awesome<a href=\"#footnote-1\" id=\"footnote-anchor-1\">1<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Summer camps for the kids (church, science camps, learning camps)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swim lessons<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sports \u2013 like dance classes or karate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdd5be5a4-2099-406c-bed6-18ba60da3157_640x427.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdd5be5a4-2099-406c-bed6-18ba60da3157_640x427.jpeg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:438px;height:auto\" title=\"\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">photo from Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Now I am ready to zoom out and ask some big picture questions&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2 &#8211; big picture planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do I want this summer to be about?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If I could pick a <strong>one-word theme<\/strong> what would it be?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Adventure \/ Relaxation \/ Sunshine \/ Travel \/ Hobbies \/ Friendship \/ Nature<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This becomes a filter for activities and ways to spend our time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71a78f5c-5115-4830-b7cf-cc7056542843_1024x618.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71a78f5c-5115-4830-b7cf-cc7056542843_1024x618.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:476px;height:auto\" title=\"\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">from Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#3 &#8211; evaluating our time &amp; our goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Then, I see where we are needing some structure or what we have too much of.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do we have space for free time?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can any weekend trips or short vacations fit in?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do I have a variety of activities planned?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When will I work on school planning and curriculum shopping?<a href=\"#footnote-2\" id=\"footnote-anchor-2\">2<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Will my kids have a chance to develop new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2021\/06\/14\/why-hobbies-matter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hobbies<\/a> and get bored?\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I fully believe that bringing up well-rounded kids involves boredom.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What kinds of meals do I want to make?\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Brainstorm my Summer Meals list for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2022\/04\/13\/tackling-meal-planning-1-the-why\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">easy meal planning<\/a>.(hot dogs, BBQ, pizza on the grill, pasta salad)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Summer-Meal-Planning-Printables.pdf\">free meal planning PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Summer book lists!\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Booklist for me, for each kid, for us to read together<a href=\"#footnote-3\" id=\"footnote-anchor-3\">3<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>audiobooks to listen to on road trips<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How can my kids keep learning fresh on their minds?\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Will I have them complete workbooks?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Should they keep working on math lessons?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Will I have them write about what they are reading?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How can I reward them for keeping their brains from turning to mush?\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sticker charts, tickets, cash for a vacation, shopping trips at Target?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When can I take some time to myself this summer break?\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How can I schedule some time away to journal, think, and be alone? <strong>Moms are important too!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Summer-Planning-Printables.pdf\">free daily planning PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9cd44770-68ee-4119-a439-01a85774791f_4032x2416.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9cd44770-68ee-4119-a439-01a85774791f_4032x2416.jpeg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:467px;height:auto\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\ud83d\ude01look at these cuties! from Summer 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>I know. I hear you\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I can feel the eye-rolling and the questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Seriously? This is a long list of things to think about!<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Why do these things matter? Who cares?<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Do I really need to spend the time to think about this stuff?<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The answer is NO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Choose what is important to you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I personally do not want to stumble into August completely exhausted and worn out. I\u2019ve done that for years and it was not pretty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So I walk through these steps, and then I know that whatever this summer holds I will be ready. I have adjusted my expectations, thought about all our events, placed the important things first, and created a theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This planning process helps me feel settled and ready for the season ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Welcome Summer! Let\u2019s do this!<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9519b7c9-b1c0-4b49-b5cb-40f07806935d_1080x381.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9519b7c9-b1c0-4b49-b5cb-40f07806935d_1080x381.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:466px;height:auto\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The end of the school year has so much to think about. Let me help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Free PDF downloads for your Summer Planning:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/End-of-School-Certificates.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">End of the Year Certificates<\/a> (with ideas to fill them out)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Summer-Planning-Printables.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Daily Planner and 2 different Weekly Planners<\/a> &#8211; for organizing your schedule<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Summer-Meal-Planning-Printables.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Weekly Meal Plan<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33236b9e-fff3-4a05-be87-f690308c3e0d_1080x517.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33236b9e-fff3-4a05-be87-f690308c3e0d_1080x517.jpeg\" alt=\"green coconut trees\" style=\"width:457px;height:auto\" title=\"green coconut trees\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"true\">Kenrick Mills<\/a> on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#footnote-anchor-1\" id=\"footnote-1\">1<\/a> see this article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2021\/06\/23\/practical-tips-for-attending-a-homeschool-convention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Practical Tips for Attending a Homeschool Convention<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#footnote-anchor-2\" id=\"footnote-2\">2<\/a> As a teacher, this takes a lot of my time in the summer. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2021\/05\/26\/homeschooling-is-a-job\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Homeschooling is a full-time job<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#footnote-anchor-3\" id=\"footnote-3\">3<\/a> see these articles for more ideas for Summer Reading:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2021\/06\/03\/summer-reading-tips-ideas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Summer Reading \u2013 Tips &amp; Ideas<\/a>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2021\/06\/03\/how-to-revive-your-love-of-reading-this-summer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Revive Your Love of Reading this Summer<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2021\/06\/03\/quick-ideas-to-get-kids-into-summer-reading\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Quick Ideas to Get Kids into Summer Reading<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2021\/09\/14\/when-my-reading-plans-fail\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">When My Reading Plans Fail<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Photos by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@dakotalim?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Dakota Lim<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@philhearing?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Phil Hearing<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@pointblanq?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Point Blanq<\/a>, and others on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/collections\/1577330\/ziele%C5%84?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If I am NOT the one deciding what my summer looks like then it gets decided FOR me. I get peace and clarity along with my planning. By the time April &amp; May show up on the calendar I am ready to start my summer planning. As a kid, summer vacation was full of so&hellip; <\/p>\n<div class=\"readmore-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2025\/04\/29\/3-helpful-steps-for-planning-summer-break-free-pdf-printables\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read <\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stc_notifier_status":"sent","_stc_notifier_sent_time":"2025-04-29 04:40:21","_stc_notifier_request":false,"_stc_notifier_prevent":false,"_stc_subscriber_keywords":"","_stc_subscriber_search_areas":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[504,638,255,47,585,639,57,30,100,17,552,147,637,565],"class_list":["post-5746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-seasonal-planning","tag-free-pdf","tag-free-printable","tag-meal-planning","tag-mom-life","tag-planner-tips","tag-planning-tips","tag-productivity","tag-productivity-for-moms","tag-seasonal-planning","tag-summer","tag-summer-cooking","tag-summer-planning","tag-summer-plans","tag-summer-reflection"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5746","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=5746"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5747,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5746\/revisions\/5747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}