Summer Rhythm

It’s December which means it’s time for our summer holiday from school! (Bet you never thought you would read that sentence!) For those of us in the southern hemisphere, that’s how we roll. I’ll admit, I’m not sure that I’ll ever get use to having a hot Christmas, but I do love that the school year lines up with the calendar year! The kids have worked so hard this year and so has their mama! We are all looking forward to days at the beach, the park, the splash pad, the zoo- all the fun summertime places!

But there will also be days of down time spent at home. As a mama to five littles ages eight and under, I have come to learn that if we want our home to run smoothly, we have to have rhythms in place. That doesn’t mean that we don’t break away and live on a whim from time to time, especially during the summer. It just means that as a general rule, we have a certain order to our days.

This summer, I have made simple charts for my oldest two children for the days we spend at home. The tasks on this list only take 1 1/2 hours of time. This is a perfect fit for us. It gives plenty of freedom to their day allowing them to enjoy the free play and sunshine of summer. But for those long days spent a home, it gives direction to a portion of our day. It also is a designated time that I set aside from my tasks to focus in on the children and spend quality time with them.

What is Our Summer Rhythm?

-Practice Piano (30 minutes)

-Read (30 minutes)

-Math Review (5-10 minutes)

We rotate through these Math Flashcards from Think Tank Scholar.

-Activity Time (25 minutes)

See below.

-“How Can I help you, Mama?”

The kids are to ask me this question and are challenged to have a heart ready to serve. I give them one task and try to keep it simple and quick like putting their dirty laundry in the washing machine or wiping the kitchen table. It is an opportunity for me to train them to serve with a joyful heart as well as to be one who is quick to ask others how they can be a help.

Activity Time

Each of these activites are written on a popsicle stick that I keep in a mason jar. The kids alternate turns choosing from the jar. Whatever activity is chosen is the one we do together for 25 minutes. These are fun things that each child looks forward to doing together! I enjoy the quality time I get to spend doing the activity alongside them.