Navigating summer vacation with kids: survive or thrive?

Su mmer break is upon us. For parents, this means a much-needed break from cramming activities and school into a day that simply doesn’t contain enough hours, and a break from the school emails that add even more to your to-do list.

For kiddos, a break from homework and early wake-up times. However, the prospect of keeping kids entertained and maintaining some semblance of order can be overwhelming. Add in trying to navigate camp registration mayhem that rivals getting tickets to Taylor Swift, only to then have to put all of those moving pieces into one streamlined and efficient calendar — well, it’s a lot, and frankly doesn’t always feel like that much of a break. Ensure your family thrives this summer (not just survives) with the helpful tips below.

The power of routines

During the school year, kids thrive on the structure provided by their daily routines. Summer vacation disrupts this structure, potentially leading to restlessness and boredom — and I think it’s safe to say that hearing “I’m bored” from your kids can be triggering.

Start and end each day with a consistent wake-up time and bedtime. Keep hygiene routines the same. The more these routines stay somewhat similar to the school year, the less adjustment and struggles you’ll have getting back into the swing of things in the fall.

Divide the day into structured time blocks for various activities. is can include dedicated time for learning, outdoor play, creative activities, quiet time and family time. Setting aside speci c times for di erent activities provides a sense of consistency as well as regular scenery changes. Having these blocks doesn’t mean you have to have activities to ll every minute. Give kids some ownership of how to ll the time via a weekly family meeting to plan the upcoming week. Less mental load for parents and more engagement from kids equals a win-win.

Maintaining regular meal times is also a huge help in creating a summer routine. Meal planning can be a lot, even when parents aren’t having to plan three meals a day plus snacks, but giving your kids an opportunity to contribute to the meal plan is a great way to lighten the load. Tired of hearing, “I don’t like that?” Have everyone put their favorite meals in a jar so you can just grab and plug them in, depersonalizing the choice and minimizing disagreements.

Engaging activities for summer

Make the most of the warm weather by engaging in outdoor activities. Like recess, but different. Plan family hikes, picnics or visits to local parks. Encouraging kids to explore nature, go for bike rides, take ownership of daily dog walks, play in the water — anything to get outside and enjoy some Vitamin D. If there are struggles to decide what to do, using the same meal option trick works well as the element of surprise overcomes complaints — hopefully.

Summer vacation doesn’t mean learning should take a backseat. Make a bucket list of local museums, libraries or science centers to visit. Game nights for some quality non-screen time also keeps minds sharp. You’ve heard of chore charts, but reading charts in the summer are a great option, too. A throwback to Pizza Hut Book-It, anyone? I’m an especially huge fan of journaling to capture the day, and highly suggest making a point to capture some gratitude as well.

Set up a designated art area at home where kids can paint, draw or engage in crafts. We say the mess is worth it — mostly, unless slime is involved!

When it’s too much

We live in a world of doing it all at all costs, and the reality is we need to shift that narrative. Asking for help is OK. Taking a break is

OK. Not doing everything on your list is OK. Need a quick self-care moment or run errands sans kids? Form a baby-sitting co-op. Babysitters are saviors, but they also come at a cost and can be hard to find. One solution is to form a coop with friends or neighbors.

Reading this and still wondering where you’ll find all the time? We get it, we highly recommend checking out TULA — your personal assistant and/or personal chef at the touch of a button, ready to take over your to-do list so you can focus on the fun.

Survive or thrive?

There will be days, even hours, when it feels like you’re both surviving and thriving in equal, and sometimes less-than-equal parts, and that’s OK. Navigating summer vacation with kids can be a joyful and rewarding experience when approached with the right mindset, but it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed, too. Give yourself a break, give your kids a break. Giving grace, leaning into flexibility and shooting for a bit of balance will serve everyone well and make for a summer of fun and memories.

Megan Trask and Cody Galloway are Denver residents and co-founders of TULA Life Balanced. Learn more about their business at tulabalanced.com.