Happy Summer

With summer holidays just around the corner, I have to admit I am feeling a bit anxious about the whole thing … the lack of structure, more meals to prepare, increased conflict among the kids, more messes, and the like.

In an effort to keep myself sane and to ensure that the we make time for the most important things, I’m going to “loosely follow” this structure for our home days …

6-6:30 – Mom & Mackenzie Time
6:30-7:15 – Mackenzie Listens to Book (Mom exercises & gets ready for the day)
7:15-7:30 – Mackenzie Reads to Mom
7:30-8:00 – Breakfast
8-8:30 – Crafts
8:30-9 – Daily Chores
9-9:30 – Mom & Madilyn Time
9:30-11:30 – Free Time / Morning Adventure
11:30-12 – Music & Lunch Prep
12-1 – Lunch & Clean Up
1-2 – Quiet Time (TV, Movie or iPad)
2-4:30 – Free Time / Afternoon Adventure
4:30-6:15 – All Things Related to Supper & Clean Up / Family Time (and/or Dad time)
6:15-7 – Getting Ready for Bed

Notice I’ve scheduled in time with each of the big girls? This is something I’ve been yearning to do for a long time, but I just can’t seem to get it together (or make it a priority). I do believe (and it was pointed out to me after my last post) that many of my oldest daughter’s issues come from a lack of positive attention and one on one time with her parents. She is definitely one of those “quality time” people … and she doesn’t always get it, especially being in school full time now and having two little sisters.

Beyond our daily special time together, I do want to incorporate one on one adventures with each of the older girls each week too. I attempted to draft a list of some special things we could do together. Here are some ideas I’ve come up with so far …
– reading
– bedtime math
– puzzles
– write a story together
– clay
– kayaking
– play a game
– lego
– online card shop
– go to the dam
– go for a bike ride
– go for a walk
– watch something together
– playdough
– go for lunch
– baking / cooking
– “school” stuff / homework
– go to the library
– make a craft
– picnics
– go for ice cream
– visit a farm
– horseback riding
– random acts of kindness
– colouring
– picking ditch flowers
– listen to music
– tackle a project together
– nature trails at Regional Park
– browse Pinterest
– write letters back and forth

Despite my niggling anxiousness about the potential madness of summer holidays, I AM looking forward to many things and TIME WELL SPENT with my family. Will it be complete chaos at times? Undoubtedly! Will I be overwhelmed on occasion? You bet! Will we build some incredible memories? I sure hope so!

Happy summer, Everyone!