Summer! With only two weeks left of school, it is probably time we start thinking about summer. For most of us, the calendar pages of June-August are looking a little empty. We are heading into an unprecedented summer where the majority of our traditional ways of spending time have been canceled or are currently in limbo. Today we wanted to offer you an idea that won’t necessarily fill your calendar with events, but will hopefully help you stay a little saner as we continue to spend a lot of time at home — Lists! Now, making lists may not be your thing, but hang in for a bit and we may convince you that they have the potential to be magical.
Why Lists?
Have you found yourself suffering from decision fatigue lately? When you think about what to make for dinner is your mind a complete blank? As your kids float about your house with nothing particular to do, are you at a loss to offer some constructive activities? Lists to the rescue! With so much to remember and keep track of on a daily basis, we shouldn’t be surprised when we struggle to recall things. Let the lists do the remembering for you. When you have options and suggestions written down on an easy to consult list you no longer have to be the keeper of all the ideas. So before the school-free days are upon us, take some time to make a handful of lists that will help you and your family keep track of what’s important to you. Here are a few ideas of the types of lists we are talking about.
A List of Lists:
- Family Summer Bucket List — You’ve probably heard of the traditional Summer Bucket List. Set aside time as a family and brainstorm what you would like to do this summer. The ideas can range from activities as simple as “have breakfast for dinner” or “pick blueberries” to ones that require more planning and effort, like “landscape the backyard”. You don’t have to get to everything on the list, but it is fun to dream big together and when the summer comes to a close you’ll have a snapshot of all that you did. As a lot of the standard summer activities might not be options, this is a chance to get creative. Need some help — check out these links for 2020 specific suggestions:
- Individual Summer Bucket List — Sometimes what one person wants to do or accomplish over the summer doesn’t really pertain to the rest of the family. Make individual lists as well. i.e. Mom — reorganize the kitchen, write a book, take a daily nap, teach kids to do their own laundry, etc.
- Meals — With all this time at home, a good portion of our days may revolve around keeping our family fed and all that goes along with it. Here are some ideas for lists that can simplify feeding your family.
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- Make a list of the food you have that needs to be used up.
- Post a list on the fridge or freezer of what’s inside. (Food has a way of hiding in freezers.)
- Make a list of meals that are easy to prepare or that you know are always family favorites, aka. go-to meals.
- List meals your kids can make with minimal to no assistance.
- Snacks — post a list of snack options that the kids can help themselves to.
- Restaurants — when you decide that you are going to let someone else make the food, it’s best not to draw a blank on restaurant options when everyone is on the verge of hangry. Have a list of restaurants that work well for your family or make a list of places you have always wanted to try.
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- At-Home Activities — Let’s face it, kids forget that they have so many options. When they come to you bewailing their boredom, rather than rattling off to them all the possible ways they can spend their free time, send them to consult a list.
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- Arts & Crafts — Compile a list of all the art mediums available to them, preferably ones that require little adult assistance. If possible, put all the options together in an easy to access location.
- Games — Make a list of games they can either play by themselves or with siblings. Board games, outdoor games, puzzles, etc.
- Toys — Put together a list of toys that might not always be played with or that have been tucked away for a while. Out of sight, often means out of mind.
- Outside — Just saying, “Go outside” can often be received by your kin like you are banishing them from the kingdom. However, if they have a list of possible activities to do outside, they are more likely to stay out longer in the fresh air.
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- Chores — Summer is the perfect time to get the whole family helping out. Make a list of chores that the kids can do with minimal help. Also, consider making a House Summer Bucket List to keep track of the projects you want to accomplish this summer.
- Books — Reading together or individually can be such a sweet part of summer. However, when you send your kids to go read, a shelf full of book spines may feel overwhelming. Put together booklists to make selections easier and have fun keeping track of all your summer reading.
A Few Notes About Lists:
- If they are to be used by everyone, keep them somewhere visible. Lists won’t work if you can’t refer to them.
- If they don’t need to be posted, try a list app on your smartphone to keep them in all one spot.
- For kids that are unable to read, consider making lists that have pictures or recruit siblings to help them.
- Make them editable (not edible) so that you can easily add new ideas or take away ones that didn’t work. i.e.
play with glitter. - Be flexible. These are not necessarily “to-do” lists but suggestions, ideas, and options; some items on the list will be favorites and may be repeated multiple times, others may be completely ignored.
- Involve your family in the creation of the lists. Let them offer input. Just making the lists will most likely lead to excitement about the options on the list. And chances are they will have tons of great ideas!
- Pace yourself. You don’t have to write 20 lists in one day. Start with making one that would be the most impactful for you and your family.
- Don’t know what to put on the list? — consult the internet. You can search for things like “age-appropriate chores” or “meals kids can make” or “easy backyard activities”.
- Lists are not meant to suppress spontaneity. Consider them as a tool to be used when needed.
We hope that these list recommendations will help to keep you from a listless summer! Share in the comments some of your summer ideas!
