This post is sponsored by Red Baron but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
I can totally understand how a new study says parents are fed up with kids’ summer vacation after just 13 days. So far this summer I have had between 3 to 7 kids home with me during my work day (I work 8-5 from home) and the kids range in age from a 1 year old to a 14 year old. Not gonna lie guys, it’s crazy up in here! Especially having meals ready on time and enough for all the kids! Todays how-to is simple, let’s figure out how to not lose our minds this summer – deal?! How to survive summer with kids, because we’re in this together right?
HOW TO SURVIVE SUMMER WITH KIDS
You’re reading this post because you have kids home with you this summer and you might be over it already.
Okay, let’s be honest. You’re totally over it and you need some fresh ideas.
Maybe I can help you….
TIPS FOR KIDS AGES 1-2
- Act like a dog. Don’t look at me like that, this works….when my 2 year old niece was mad at me and hiding under my table I got down on all fours and barked like a puppy. She thought I was hilarious and popped out from under the table!
- Hop like bunny and bark like dog. Again, this works. It worked for me with my 1 year old nephew. Isn’t he so cute!!
- Have appropriate snacks ready. Kids this age get hangry! I like the idea of keeping a bin of snacks in the fridge, ready to go.
TIPS FOR KIDS AGES 3-5
- When they’re throwing fits and you reach your breaking point start meowing like a cat. Yes, you read that right. Meow. Like a cat. For some reason THIS WORKS! The kid is so thrown off by your crazy cat-like behavior that she stops her fit throwing and laughs at you. Yes, you’re welcome, you ended the fit!
- Have play stations set up around your house or outdoors. You can do a Jenga station – my daughter loves using jenga blocks to build. Or set up a mini water station with measuring cups and things you planned on recycling anyway. Place them all in a large container and add a bit of water. Perfect for summer fun.
- Fairy gardens. We planted fairy gardens with our girls during the spring (it’s not too late to make one) and now my 4 year old will go out with her Shopkins and play with the garden.
TIPS FOR KIDS AGES 6 AND BEYOND
- Keep game time in control – nowadays kids just wanna Eat, Game, Sleep, Repeat. So make sure you set boundaries for game time. My kids have to take breaks from games every few hours, some days the whole afternoon or morning is considered game-free time and they have to play outside, swim, play board games, read a book or just be bored.
- Keep snacks simple. My kids can make air-popped popcorn for snack. We also have fruit and sometime boiled eggs and sandwich fixings in the fridge. This makes it easier for me because I don’t have to get up and make something each time the kids get hungry.
- Don’t feel like it’s your duty to keep your kid happy and entertained all summer long. It’s totally okay for kids to be bored. I feel like it’s our duty to keep them healthy, safe and fed. It’s up to them to find things to do.
BONUS TIP
Do you remember your summers as a kid? I remember staying up late watching I Love Lucy on Nick at Nite. Snacking super late. Waking up on summer mornings and walking to McDonald’s with my grandma. Just her and I. I remember being bored, lying on top of a picnic table, staring up at the sky. I would make up songs and poems and spend the whole afternoon trying to remember them. 🙂 My sisters and I played outside for hours. And there were no worries. Just seemingly endless summer days filled with zero obligations. OMG. I WISH I COULD GO BACK IN TIME!!!
Anyway. My whole point was this: summers are fun! Even though I said it’s not your job to entertain your older kids – you can still make it fun.
Take a break from the world and play games with them. Don’t be quick to yell (something I’m working on) because this summer will fly by. So stop and enjoy them while you can.
And make lunch or dinner easy on yourself. I love meal planning and home-cooking. But some days that just doesn’t work.
Know what does work? Pizza! It’s universally loved by all…and you don’t really need a plate. Bonus! Less dishes for me.
We tried Red Baron pizza together and we agreed it’s good! I loved the crust, my kids loved the cheese. I don’t mind making pizza for lunch or dinner because I know everyone in my family will eat it, no complaining. And it’s quick & easy. What I strive for in life, ’cause when you’ve got 3 – 7 kids at home with you, you don’t have time for complicated!
You’d think I’d pitch a fit when one kid wants to eat with no pants on. One kids wants to eat on the patio. And one kid is still sleeping at lunch time.
But I’ve learned to choose my battles wisely. So you wanna eat with no pants on, fine with me.
And the kid who wants to eat outside? Sure! Less mess inside for me.
Do you need some peace of mind during mealtime? You can find out more about Red Baron HERE.
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- Handy tips for focusing on positivity throughout your week.
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What do you recommend when boredom for a bunch of boys means getting into fights?
Omg my goodness .. your babies are too cute! I don’t know how you handle it but you have some great tips!!! P.S. I loved your summer memories!! I think we grew up in the best time!!! Happy Summer!
Oh man, when I was a kid my parents just threw me in camps! LOL! That’s how they dealt with me 😉
I remember Nick at Nite!! And I’m working on not being quick to yell too. Luckily my husband and I both work from home so we can tag team when we need to!
Lots of great tips – I will definitely be using some of these ideas… and the summer holidays are almost upon us!
I would throw in another tip…get away for a few days without the kids! I just had a long weekend sans kids and it’s done wonders for my ability to deal!
I just got a bunch of popcorn for my kids. They need to scale back on the snacking. They are going through so much food.
I dont have kids, but I can only imagine the potential of summer stress and a depleting bank balance – so top tips x
The hardest part of summer for us is my 1 year olds nap schedule getting interrupted by my older children being home and it being more noisy that usual.
Haha love this. I’m already counting the days till summer is over
I love hearing your thoughts on parenting since I’m not at that stage yet. And that’s too funny about the eating with no pants!! Seems like the key is balance and not sweating the small stuff 🙂
Girl I have 4 kids and need all the help I can get! Thanks for these ideas/tips!
April