Summer is fast approaching! Being that it’s a strange year/we are moving, our summer is a bit more open than in past years, which also means I get a bit more control over my kids’ days (wa-ha-ha). I mean, I also have to work throughout, so the summer could turn out to be complete chaos, but ideally I would like to create a nice, planned rhythm to our days and integrate some gentle learning and chore habits.
I’ll throw the completed version of this into the 2026 area of the site, but here are my initial thoughts:
Daily Rhythm
What Matters:
- Intentional screen time (vs out-of-control)
- Scheduled meals and snacks so the kids know what to expect/it’s not just a food free-for-all all day long
- Time outdoors
- Quick learning sessions each day
- Loads of open play
Proposed Schedule:
Wake up: Whenever/whatever. Do what you will.
8:00: Breakfast
8:30: Morning chores together
9:00: Mom starts work, kids do whatever
10:00: Kids’ screen time hour, Mom does meetings
11:00: Daily project time
12:00: Picnic lunch at the park/outdoor time
1:00: Quiet time in rooms
2:00: Kids’ work hour: 20 min. reading, handwriting pages, math
3:00: Snack time, afternoon free play
5:00: Mom done with work, eat dinner, quick evening clean-up
5:30: More outdoor play
Late/Bedtime: Final evening snack, read to kids before bed
This is a ton of free-play time for the kids, so I don’t know how it will actually work out.
Aspirational Chore Flow
What Matters:
- Kids are learning to keep their spaces tidy
- We are all learning to work as a team
- No one is being shamed or guilted for not doing their part
- We start small and then work up to being more and more helpful
Morning Chores:
- Make beds
- Breakfast dishes in the sink/dishwasher
- Dishwasher emptied
- Laundry dealt with
Evening Cleanup:
- Dinner dishes in sink/dishwasher
- Tidy spaces
- Garbage out, if needed
- Compost out
I’d also like to come up with small daily projects for them to do (fun experiments, etc.) but need to figure out where to get ideas for that. And I also need to come up with a list for when the kids tell me “I’m boredddddd!”
As for the rest of today, here’s the breakdown:
Listened To: Today was pretty busy, so I only had the chance to listen to the newest Bad Therapist episode about Dr. Phil.
Read: Again, busy day meant I didn’t get a chance to read Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family, but I am looking forward to at least reading more of The Eyes of the Dragon before bed tonight. (I started it last night.)
Wrote: Next scene to revise is the morning after the bonfire. I’m feeling crappy, so we’ll see how much I can get through. Honestly, it’s 7:30 now and I just want to go to bed.
Ate: I got some fresh “garbonz” beans at H-Mart last week and have been snacking on those. They’re a nice healthy way to keep my hands and mouth occupied when I am otherwise feeling snacky.