Why Kids Need a Simple Summer Schedule

As my kids have grown older, the pressure to make every summer “the best summer ever” grows, too. This pressure comes from social media, society itself, and even from my own mom guilt. Instead of planning every moment of summer, kids might actually need a more simple summer schedule.

“Enjoy every moment.”

I scroll social media and see influencer parents taking their kids on elaborate trips all summer, and I start to think that my kids are missing out and I should also book such a vacation. Society tells us that we only have so many summers left before our kids become adults, so we should “enjoy every moment.” While it’s true that kids grow up so quickly, “enjoying every moment” looks different for every family. And that mom guilt? Even though it comes from inside of me, it’s a loud voice that tells me I’m not doing enough for my kids, and I should sign my kids up for every class, lesson and program I can find, so they won’t be at home all summer watching TV. 

When I start to feel crushed by all that pressure, I stop and take a deep breath. I remind myself that I know my kids best. I know what they really need: quality time with their parents, good books to read, time to play outside, a few playdates with their friends, and even time to be bored. Vacations are awesome, but it’s okay if a big trip isn’t part of our plans this summer. Programs are awesome – but it’s okay to have a laid-back, take-each-day-as-it-comes approach to summer. I don’t need to plan every hour of every day of every week of summer break.  

A Simple Summer Schedule

This summer, I am sticking to a simple schedule. I want my family to stay active and get out of the house most days, but I want to leave room for rest and boredom – the kind of boredom that inspires my kids to use their imaginations. Our schedule looks something like: 

• Sunday: Family time  
• Monday: Stay home to catch up on chores and do crafts 
• Tuesday: Library day (we plan around story time and summer programs)   
• Wednesday: “Whatever” Wednesday – we’re going to be flexible this day 
• Thursday: Park day – maybe we’ll visit new parks this day, or just walk to our neighborhood park for a picnic 
• Friday/Saturday: Adventure days. When we’re up to it, we’ll use these days to go on “adventures.” Whether it’s going to the movies or the zoo, we’ll save these days for our bigger summer activities. 

Last summer, I made an entire calendar and filled it with activities. We did most of the things we planned, including a big road trip with family. It was the best summer we’d had as a family. My only regret was that I didn’t plan any “do nothing” days, when we could relax at home and just watch movies or read books. By the time the new school year started, my kids said they had “the best summer ever.” Surprisingly, it wasn’t the many activities and fun adventures we went on, though they loved every second of our crazy busy summer. What my kids remember most about our summer last year is how much time we spent together as a family.