Dear Storage Seeker,
My husband and I work from home, and with the school year coming to a close, we’re not sure how to keep our family organized and entertained. We have three children and signed them up for some mini-camps throughout the day. It is too expensive to have all of them all in camp full-time. We don’t have much family around to provide the help we need and appreciate any advice you could offer us. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Concerned Parents.
———————————————————————————–
Dear Concerned Parents,
We understand your plight (we are parents too)! No matter what your situation, consistency is key. Though schedules may be more relaxed with camp and some fun excursions, balancing the grind of responsibility and fun (though challenging) is possible if you stick to a routine. As you get started on your summer, consider these three simple tips to keep you and your family organized and entertained.
Declutter.
Before school lets out, we strongly suggest that you declutter your home to maximize space for items you need each day. Your mess will be less, and believe it or not, your children will play BETTER when rooms are neat and tidy. Take some time during the week to sort through each room at a time, deciding which items to keep, donate, and discard. If things are worth keeping but are too large for your space, consider renting a self-storage unit nearby. Some parents even opt to store toys within self-storage, rotating them every few weeks to keep playtime fresh and exciting.
Stick to a schedule.
Decide on a daily schedule to make your days run smoothly. For example:
Wakeup Routine & Breakfast: 7:00-8:00am
Summer Mini-Camp 8:30-12:30pm
Lunch & Movie: 1:00-3:00pm
Outdoor Play & Snack: 3:00-5:00pm
Dinner & Family Fun: 5:00-7:30pm
Baths & Bedtime Routine: 7:30-8:30pm
Make your evenings filled with something you can all enjoy, such as a swim in a community pool, bike ride, hike, or even a game night. Your kids will appreciate the downtime together (as will you!).
Play your part.
Create a chart that lists the kids in your family (and adults alike), detailing what responsibilities each member of your family has throughout the week (such as putting laundry away, dusting, vacuuming, etc.). If everyone completes their tasks, you can do a fun activity the whole family can partake in at the end of the week! Ice cream before dinner? Dinner and a movie? A trip to the drive-in? A visit to the zoo? The possibilities are endless (and will make for some great memories).
Summer is a time to wind down (for adults too). If you have some PTO, use it. Maybe make a few of your work weeks a bit shorter so that you can cherish the time with your kids. This season only comes once a year and is sorely missed when it ends! With some simple storage solutions, a schedule, and the divvying of responsibilities, your summer will be one to remember (for your kids and you)!
How to keep your home organized and your kids entertained this summer.
