School's Almost Out! How to Prepare for Summer

No more homework, no more books -- the kids are happy, but are you ready?

Almost everyone enjoys a break from the school-year grind. But if you are an Introverted (I) type or Judging (J) type mom, the next three months may be more challenging for you than the nine-month school year.

Having children under foot all day makes it harder for an Introverted mom to find the personal space and quiet she needs to function at her best. Similarly, the lazy, unstructured days of summer may tax a Judging mom's flexibility to its limit.

What's a mom to do?

With a little forethought, you can make this summer vacation happier for everyone.

I moms: Make sure you have 30-60 minutes of uninterrupted solitude each day. With the kids' new summer schedule, you'll probably have to change your time-alone schedule as well. Think about starting the day with a sunrise walk or each afternoon, implement an all-family siesta.

J moms: Give you and your family some transition time to switch gears from school year to summer. Then after a week or so, put into a place a new structure. Keep it loose; only a few key rules. Just enough to give you and your family a sense of order. Not so much that you feel restricted.  For example:

1. No TV until after 4 p.m.
2. Do chores before going out to play in the morning.
3. Siesta time from 3-4 p.m.
4. Sunday is family outing day.

In addition, here are three helpful articles from my archives that you may have missed. 

Summertime ... And the Livin's Not Always Easy for Moms

Why Your Family's Dream Vacation May Not Be Fun For You

Personality-Based Vacation Strategies

Happy Summer to You All!

Janet Penley

Comments

[Susan Morrison]

I wanted to put in my two cents about a perennial summer problem that I have. My husband's family has been going to the same place in the summer for many, many years, in northern Michigan. It is very beautiful there and I struggle every summer with why I don't really like it. I am an INTP and it is a very E, very S kind of place. Everybody has known everybody else there whole lives and it is full of people who like to be doing something every minute. After a week I can't wait to leave!