My Best Secret For A Successful Summer With Kids!

May 23, 2022 | Baby and Kids, Lifestyle, Parenting, Productivity, Uncategorized

Let's talk about my best tips to set your kids up for a successful summer using the Capable Kids Planner Lite! This awesome new digital download will help you stay organized and on-track while still having loads of fun!

Image of child writing in his capable kids planner to create a successful summer routine. - Fun Cheap or Free

Summer is just around the corner, and we're all ready for some laid-back fun! Swimming, bike rides, friends, movie nights, sleeping in, and endless popsicles…what could be better?!

While it's good for the kids to have some down time after working hard at school, there's a fine line between relaxed fun and sheer chaos. No one wants to see those hard earned reading skills backslide, or a house turned upside down but never put back together. Now more than ever is a valuable time to set up routines and systems to ensure a successful summer for both kids and parents!

So, what's the secret for making this work? Freebs, I have just the thing!

Kids And Families Thrive On A Routine

One of the perks of the school year is that it usually naturally sets up a predictable routine for the family each day. Once that routine is taken away in the summer months, it's easy to feel a little lost. For a period of time it might feel liberating to break from the usual routine, which is great! But ultimately, kids and families do better with a solid routine in place.

There have been many studies about child development over the decades, and time and again it has been found that predictable routines are beneficial to children. A study done in 2016 found that kids who grow up with steady daily routines are less likely to have time management or attention problems as adults.

Experts also say that predictable routines provide children with a sense of safety and security, allowing them to flourish at home, at school, and in their relationships.

This is why we are such big believers in a structured summer! Providing kids with a daily framework that allows for both downtime and productive activities will keep them happy, healthy, and thriving…and that will do wonders for you, too! A structured summer is a successful summer!


Using The Capable Planner Digital Download To Create Structure

One of the hardest things as a parent is figuring out how to get kids to do the things we need and want them to do! Chore charts? Lists? Nagging? Trying to figure out how to organize and execute the structure we crave can be so overwhelming that it's easy to give up!

That's why we've created this amazing planner to help your kids learn how to be capable and independent! And even better, we now have a brand new digital download that you can print out and start using right now! We have two different downloads — one designed for kids, and another designed just for teenagers.

Successful Summer Ideas Using The Planner

Here are some of the ways I use the planner to keep our days running smoothly with a house full of kids:

  • Utilize the weekly block schedule – Block planning is where it's at, friends! Even for the kiddos. This planner helps kids organize their weeks by three different categories: learn, work, and play. It's flexible enough to customize for your own family needs, but also gives some guidance on a daily and weekly level.
  • Habit tracker – Want to build some good habits this summer? Maybe it's daily exercise, practicing a musical instrument, or taking vitamins. Whatever it is, your kid can track it and see their awesome progress!
  • Reading log – Every teacher knows about that dreaded summer slide where kids return to school having lost some of their knowledge from the year before. Help fight that by utilizing this amazing reading log included in the Capable Planner! Maybe set up a competition between kids to see who can read the most books. Or set a family goal to work towards with a fun reward at the end! A fun sheet that provides accountability will help keep them reading all summer long.
  • Bordeom buster – I LOVE that this planner has a fun section where kids can fill out ideas of thing they can do when they get bored! It encourages them to use their own creativity, and they can refer back to it any time.
  • Goal setting – This planner has been so helpful for setting goals with my kids! It gives them a place to write things down and be accountable. Plus, it has an awesome savings tracker that keeps them super motivated for reaching money-related goals!

Kids Feel Empowered When They Have Ownership

Image of a young boy slicing a red onion on a cutting board for a successful summer routine. In the background a girl is tasting food at the stove. - Fun Cheap or Free

One thing I've noticed time and again with my kids is that when they feel they have ownership over their responsibilities (and lives in general) they are much more motivated to stick with things.

It's easy for kids to feel like they don't have control over their lives when they have nothing to work toward to help them feel accomplished. Or, they might be feeling “bossed around” instead of like a contributing member within the home.

Utilizing a planner and a system goes such a long way in helping kids feel empowered! Something tangible that they can use on their own or with your help gives them ownership. Empowered kids are more happy and confident, leading to happier families overall.


Making This Time Count

Sometimes during hectic days when everyone seems to have so many different needs, it can become easy to feel overwhelmed. You're not alone, mama! Parenting is hard!

I try to remind myself that these days and years are fleeting. It won't be like this forever. As I look at my big kids growing up it seems like time is going even faster. I realize we really only have a few summers left until they leave the nest!

I truly want to make the most of this time together, and help you do the same! That's why I am so passionate about finding systems and products that will make life easier and more enjoyable for parents and families.

If you're looking to streamline your days and help your kids feel confident and capable, give these planners a try! I promise they will help. You can order one to be shipped to your door, or save a few bucks and download our digital version right now! You can find our planner for younger kids HERE, and a planner designed specifically for teens HERE.

Image graphic that says "Downloadable Capable Kids Planner" at the top with the image of pages from the planner underneath. - Fun Cheap or Free

I can't wait for you to get started! Happy summer!

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