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Enter to win one of three Soft Glow Silent Timers and Lights (a $19.99 value each) — a peaceful approach to time management — by answering this question below: What does a successful summer schedule look like in your home?
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A summer schedule with planned events but allows time for spontaneous activities.
A successful summer schedule, for us is making sure that fun activities include learning. Balancing outdoors, electronics, school review and calming activites is an everyday requirement. We also need room for flexibility as things don’t always go according to plan.
A successful summer with a Grandmother with ADD and three Grandchildren would be to wake up to a nutritional meal that we all help prepare. The youngest sets out the bowls , the middle child helps pour the drinks, and the oldest pours the milk on the cereal. Just like the Three Little Bears, teamwork is essential to our story! Our Motto this summer is, “Sharing Is Caring. In our activity centers we try to catch each other doing a good job , sharing. With a high 5 , a pat on the back or a smile is a signal that we did a good job sharing. Exersize time is next! Two kids have bunny legs while grandma is the turtle. They win when we hop into the pool. Remember the Motto when there is only one red ball! Two chairs to face each other when conflict occurs to discuss why a bebop to the head just wasn’t good for a friend’s head. Next is muchy lunch and a book or two. [email protected] gmail.com
A successful summer schedule looks like me having things prepared ahead of time to help my grandson daily. Everybody gets up on time and is working together to make sure that the academics and play time run smoothly, meals are served on time, and bedtime is on time.
A successful day in our home currently consists of getting through the day without losing complete sanity!!
My 6yr old has the energy of a roadrunner and to slow down means a 20 minute lapse of energy before the 2nd 3rd…wind comes swiftly moving tornado speed!
We managed to survive the 3 months of at home virtual learning – which honestly was my biggest concern, so with that came a sense of accomplishment!
Then a second reality set in…finding new and exciting activities to fill the day!
We have probably used our imaginations more now then ever!!
Thank God for Pinterest and DIY projects, as finding cool science experiments or building our own gadgets – designing real life “minecraft” levels using whatever we can find!!
We stick pretty well to a schedule – a few chores – consistent meal times, “rest time” (ha ha) outside time, keep up with bedtime routines and pretty much a certain amount of time set aside routinely for each activity.
Reward systems – lifesaver.
Due to the energy bunny, sleep is the most difficult issue; non existent naps and 8:30 bedtime whether right to sleep or not means tip toes at 4am!! Combating my own insomnia can mean pulling some allnighters!!
What does a successful summer schedule look like in your home? Sleep in a little later than school days except for the days where baseball or hockey practice requires an early start. Mornings consist of chores – house and yard duties – with nothing too complicated or time consuming. Trips to the cottage will be the highlights of the summer, with long evenings by the fire, listening to loons and the waves, and watching the northern lights dance across the sky. We will also plan day trips to explore new places in our province. Time every day will be allowed for Lego, drawing, crafts, walks, time with friends, and bike rides. READING for one hour EACH DAY will be mandatory.
A successful summer schedule looks like goal setting for the coming school year that instills purpose in the routine and corrections necessary to support my student reaching self-designed goals in our home?
Lots of choices and voices! I have a 9yo & 11yo, both with ADHD, and flexibility is key. I give them as much input as I can into activities for the day/week and a light schedule with plenty of downtime. Timers are critical to how we manage the structure and flow of our day.
Successful summer schedule looks like this:
light daily chores – including reading whatever catches their fancy, and some tinkering with the piano
free play and as few comments as possible about mud mess, bugs and science experiments gone wrong.
Evenings enjoying the stars and the breeze
For the rest of the summer, my graduate school classes will be held online and my husband will continue working from home. We made the decision to send the kids into camp a few days a week. Our oldest graduated from Kindergarten and our youngest will be in Pre-K. They love routine, so on the days they’re home, we give them a schedule for the day (listed by the hour). AM: writing, reading. Outdoor play. Lunch. Quiet time (They pick the activity). Afternoon: Math, worksheets, reading, art project (of their choice). Outdoor play until dinnertime.
There are days when I need to finish schoolwork or my husband has several conference calls, so we’ve come to the realization that giving the kids some screen time is necessary. A successful summer schedule for us means being gentle with ourselves, allowing emotions to be felt, and spending quality time together as a family. At the moment, it is what’s helping us get through our world’s new normal.
A successful summer schedule means maintaining a semblance of routine (to include play/leisure/free time) with clear expectations AND rewards/reinforcers all of which is towards achieving a feeling of control and some success during a time which is not as structured as the school year, and especially this trying time.
Ours starts with the basics, getting up & dressed, hair and teeth, breakfast. Then it is on to the chores, we have a board and everyone takes turns doing everything. Then it is 2 hours of school set work. Then it is usually lunch time. After lunch is 1 hour of exercise followed by free time which can be anything inside or out until dinner time. Dinner is always a sit down family affair. After dinner is the 2nd round of chores (there is 6 of us plus 2 large dogs so you can imagine what lockdown house work is like!) Then it is more free time followed by showers and bed time. We are shielding because our eldest is clinically vulnerable so we have been housebound for lockdown.
I hear this question a lot as a teacher and an adult with ADHD. For me, keeping a schedule has always been a battle. Thankfully, I have finally started to feel like I’ve found one that works for me.
My successful schedule looks like… Waking up an hour earlier or more than the rest of my family to get myself ready for the day. My morning self care routine helps me focus in on prioritizing self care and achieving task completion. So, this hour typically includes: breakfast, writing out my top 3 priority tasks in a priority planner, gratitude journaling and taking the time to plan out/schedule other important appointments and/or tasks for the day. Setting daily intentions and scheduling them, including family time, has made a huge difference in feeling accomplished as well as making sure I make time for things that are more important for me and my family.
For my students families, I suggest a daily morning routine that fits for their kiddo(s) and family that is focused on breakfast, getting ready for the day, and working with their kiddo to decide on one or two things (depending on the age) they would like complete or do for the day.
After setting morning routines and tasks or activities for the day, I encourage my kiddos to keep a scheduled reading routine and stick to it like we would in school each day. I taught first grade and my kiddos were excited to set and start their own timers or alarms on the iPad to complete their 20 minutes of reading. Giving them ownership supports the accountability factor. In school we also did a share out after reading to maintain accountability, so I have encouraged families to make this a component of casual conversation or a topic for dinner conversation. My first graders loved writing in their journals. So, I also encourage families help their kiddo start a summer journal where they can write about their day, what they read or write letters to family and friends.
Some other tips I have given my families for a success summer schedule are:
-Choosing a work space, if possible away from bedroom.
-Maintaining ownership of summer schedules by engaging in conversation about their work and modeling these good /habits and routines by following these guidelines for themselves as well.
-Sticking to the times that work best for YOU to make accomplishments.
-Modeling how to problem solve if the routine is not working and how to make small changes to add novelty and excitement to bring new life to the same routine.
The last thing I share with my families and my kiddos is to remember that it’s okay to make mistakes or miss a part ( even a whole day) of their schedule and just remember to try again the next day. Even the smallest piece of achievement opens the door to great success.
Successful summer = electronic free time EVERY day and chore time with a list to choose from to foster independence with parameters that make all choices acceptable.
A successful summer schedule will be my ADHD children waking up on time after a (hopefully) restful night of sleep and using our already established checklists and routines to independently complete their tasks for the day, to include meds, meals, chores and school work. After that, using mindfulness and breathing exercises to help mitigate any issues or anxiety, and then spending time as a family outside in the pool or walking the dog (when the heat allows). More importantly, a successful summer schedule will help reinforce and build strategies for coping with the obstacles that ADHD can cause, and build self-esteem and self-regulation!!
A successful summer for us right now is enjoying being together, in all the little ways. Plenty of swimming and ice cream. Family movie nights. It means birthdays for all 5 of us, from Memorial Day to July 4! It means celebrations. Plenty of sleepovers. Also we use a daily checklist of priorities and screen limits so we don’t forget to do these healthy things each day. They include exercise, summer workbooks, bible time, reading time and piano time, among other things.
For us to maintain a healthy balance of activities day-to-day with some decent structure. My son is now a middle schooler with raging hormones and tons of energy at times. I want summer to combine nature and exercise with a blending of chores, gaming/TV time, reading, learning new cooking skills, reviewing math and ELA, etc. It’s been a huge struggle thus far for Caden to buckle down and review academics, but I won’t give up. After the immediate virtual learning thrown upon us from 18Mar-21May, some downtime is needed-just not TOO MUCH downtime, lol.
A successful summer schedule starts early in the morning since both my ADHD husband and son like to get up early in the morning. It starts with a protein shake for my husband and fresh organic eggs and turkey sausage for my son. At breakfast I read to them and talk about what was read. We spend some time in the backyard feeding our chickens, pot belly baby pig, dogs and various other geckos. We come inside and do homeschool for a couple hours with lots of breaks for movement and healthy snacks at arms reach. Next we go to the front garden and water and pick any veggies that are ripe while my son catches insects for his entomology cases. Right now he is really into fishing so we go the park that has a pond and go fishing. I pack some PB sandwiches with fruit and water and off we go.
Our Success summer we be knowing that it will not always be perfect and that’s okay. Maintaining routine will help us out! for example going jogging first thing in the morning, drinking our water, eating our breakfast following our plan schedule of the day, using visual chart for the family. Start our summer journal to express our feelings and experience of the day. Of course all this will be managed by becoming aware of the time and how much time we have to complete each task through out our day. Ending our day with meditation and getting 8 hours of rest.
A successful schedule is one that includes time for reading, creativity, watching our favourite shows and getting outside to be active.
We plan to learn a few new skills: we started knitting and added Spanish lessons every other day. We also plan to use typing program and improve that skill, too. Trips to the beach are a must, and also skateboarding, which my son picked up recently (last week!). My daughter and I will join him on our roller skates, so we can spend more time outside together. I initiated our house book club, where we read books aloud, comment and help each other remember important details. Mostly, those will be the books after which the movies were made, so we can compare them and decide what we like better. This year we introduced a new genre for both books and movies: SCI-FI! Kids find old Star Trek very amusing while I liked the newer ones better, but we’ll see. On our repertoire as a cherry on top I plan to put “Dune” (on a strong recommendation of the kids’ English teacher) and close the season on a high note. It goes without saying, some academic material is covered every day, but we concentrate more on taking it easy, while learning some new stuff and having fun.
I loved the comment made by @Kellip on June 10th. I saw this a week ago and have been trying to incorporate the mantras of, “Is it kind? Is it helpful? Is it necessary?” within our home. I’m a single mom with 13 and 11-year-old girls and both my oldest and I have ADHD. As you can imagine, we kinda take things day by day depending on how many emotions are running through the house. 🙂
Some basic items routine items I’ve found to be the most helpful are to have us all do a few things when we wake up before anyone gets technology or TV. Those items are brushing teeth, making beds, getting dressed (in clothes that aren’t pj’s-which is the hardest for me), eating something for breakfast (ideally something with protein and/or nuts and a glass of water), and do a chore around the house that’s not something that’s already expected for each of us to do, such as cleaning our room. Then they can ask for technology or tv time while I jump on the computer and start working. I’ve found that this small routine at the beginning of the day helps us all to feel better because we’ve accomplished a lot and then they get some freedom. I’ve found that if I start out with letting them have tv right out of bed, they’ll complain when I tell them their time is up and they need to do all the things they are expected to. It’s really all about sticking to it myself and also doing the same things before I jump on the computer for work so they see that I’m not above the rules either.
A successful summer schedule for my son looks like the following:
1. waking up at a decent hour (before 10 am)
2. a good breakfast (eat together to discuss the day)
3. outdoor exercise while our dog runs in the filed (30-60 minutes)
4. some school work to avoid the Summer Slide (30 minutes of math, ELA, read a book)
5. a fun lunch (TV time)
6. chores & errands & free time or a playdate (designated tablet time)
7. nutritious family dinner (preferably at the table; Fridays are family movie night)
8. family walk with our dog (30-60 minutes)
9. write in journal & get ready for bed (a relaxing bath once a week)
Weekends are all about FAMILY FUN & ADVENTURES!!
A successful summer schedule would have (3) key items: exploration, relaxation, and bonding time. We are a family of four, with a 6yr old and 3yr old, who are both full of fun energy and who are very inquisitive. We keep things exciting by mixing the day with science/art projects, outdoor play, cooking challenges, quite reading time, and one-on-one special time with each parent. If something doesn’t seem to work or is no longer of interest, we talk together as a “team” at dinner and figure our new plan of attack. Maybe painting has lost its luster, so we move on to playdough or building with popsicle sticks. The kids deserve a fun, carefree summer and part of that is letting them have a say in what activities we do.
A successful summer schedule for us would be continuing to follow our “get ready” charts and then LOTS of outside play time/minimal video games and a consistent bedtime that will be easy to roll back once school comes around, again! We are going to keep up on a few “typetastic” games and BrainPop “missions”, as well as code.org challenges to fulfill the screen time “wants”. Love reading all of the other comments for ideas, thanks!
I like to keep it simple for me and my kids. I split the day into “before lunch” and “after lunch”. So all tasks and responsibilities like brushing teeth, chores, etc., need to be completed “before lunch”. Then there is more leniency after lunch for free time
A successful summer schedule for my family would include visits to family and friends that we don’t regularly see during the school year, such as grandparents who live in a different state, and spending quality time with those family and friends. Quality time would include beach trips, cook-outs, long walks, outside play like volleyball or badminton, inside activities like board games (scrabble, trivial pursuit Yahtzee, and the parent dreaded monopoly), movie nights and sleepovers, family dinners and church on Sundays, rainy day reading, celebrating the 4th of July with fireworks and s’mores, exploring something or someplace that we’ve never explored or at least introducing my children to something or some place they’ve never experienced such as a dairy farm, long car rides listening to my children’s terrible music, but also getting to know them again and finding out their likes and dislikes, catching fireflies (an all time summer favorite in our house no matter the age!), ideally completing summer reading and projects/reports without incident (this would be ideal, of course, but I would settle for them being satisfactorily completed at least a week before school starts 🙂 rather than the usual day or two before last minute rush!), lots of pool time and time on the water and generally reconnecting with my children without the stress and demands placed on all of us during the school year.
We have some catch-up work to do to get ready for next year, but a successful Summer schedule involves lots of fun and lots of free time. We have long, cold Winters here so Summer is a time to make the most of the outdoors and the sunshine. I plan to get to the mountains and to the rivers as often as possible because after strict quarantine recommendations for so long our souls could use some tranquil time in nature.
A successful summer schedule includes 3 solid meals, time outside, and informal practice of academic skills. We learn math in the kitchen, baking brownies, and at the store, budgeting and saving. We read the cereal box or the directions on how to put the new toy together. We read books every night before bed to help us relax. Summer schedule also includes time together, but also time apart. My kids are learning that there are many things they can do independently; they are also learning to do chores.
A successful summer schedule lots of play outdoors, some drawing after lunch and cooking dinner together. Then reading for 30 minutes before bedtime.
A successful summer schedule in my home is one that takes away pressure. The whole year we ‘fight’ against all the things that have to be done and during the summer I make sure I take away pressure. This starts with a routine that is achievable; we get up at 8, complete a round of yoga, eat a healthy breakfast and then we make sure our home is organized (not necessarily cleaned…but organized). Then we look at our to-do list and complete the must-do’s. We make sure to stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet. The late afternoon, when the sun is down, is for a walk outside. after dinner we play a boar game and that TV/tablet? It stays off! Summers are for exploring!
A successful summer day for us would be everyone getting up at a decent time and getting My 11 year old girl up before 1 pm and trying to get her to bed before 2 am. She just can’t seem to relax to shut her brain down at night.
A successful summer schedule at my house includes a day split in two, before lunch and after lunch. Yes, I learned that on one of ADDitude’s webinars, but I have modified it a little bit. 🙂
Before lunch, my children will complete their hygiene, chores and simple “projects,” by parents. Once these things have been done and IF they are completed with no grumbling, then after lunch, my husband and I will “turn a blind eye” to electronics. I might also mention that we had a family meeting and all of us wrote things that we “wanted” to do this summer and the ‘after lunch’ part of the schedule also includes time to work on or complete these things. Some of those things include ‘making homemade ice cream,’ ‘family game time,’ ‘day trips to various places,’ etc.
A successful summer schedule is one that is organized and planned out, with a lot of outside time to get sun exposure and vitamin D! It uses the nice weather to clean up the areas that have gone unnoticed, and help relax racing lots once all the hard work is done.
A successful summer day would be an enjoyable day without fighting, yelling, or hitting. It would include time outdoors, time together with family, and time to just relax.
A successful Summer in our house would be to have a schedule/routine that is easy for everyone to follow, teach my children some basic life skills needed now or later in life, explore new places together, spend quality time together, have fun and create good memories for both the children and adults!
A successful summer day will be a structured day with regular waking time, breakfast then outside play while the day is cooler. Then lunch, activities on workbook, piano practice, a bit of screen time then outdoor activities. I am putting together a list of activities that we will be able to do.
Our ideal summer daily schedule would go something like this:
Coffee and breakfast on the porch with reading
A morning walk with the whole family and two dogs
Activity time: GOZEN.Com for my son, Writing his book for my husband
for me? Business classes on Coursera or Parenting classes
Or a Casting Project for me
Lunch: Wonderful homeprepared foods salads, veggies,
Karate for my kiddo, and more work and training and writing for my husband and I
Dinner prep and one hour of video game freedom for our kiddo
Dinner of healthy food that everyone enjoys
clean up as a team
Watch Tv shows or educational programs educating our family on environmental issues and solutions and antiracism
YOGA and MEDITATION as a family
BED
That being the basic daily structure…I would also like to add in weekly hiking adventures(still keeping social distance) in our beautiful nearby mountains, a trip to the beach where my 91 year old dad is (and a safe, socially distant visit) and as many opportunities to swim in clear water as possible.
I think SIMPLE is best right now… back to the basics.
We have learned that no meds are best for us the adhdMom and adhdSon as they cause more irritability issues than they give us focus…And we have tried them all!
A successful summer schedule for my son includes a visual schedule, and a “To do list,” each day. Life skills are also an important part of a summer schedule, with a routine for cleaning, and learning how to cook. Creative time is also provided within the schedule to work on music, writing, drawing and painting or photography. Math,Reading and Writing are a part of the academic practice. A free Friday afternoon is also helpful, where free choice activities like watching movies or playing video games can take place.
M-m-m-m Actually, I don’t really know. The reason that I don’t know what a successful summer looks like in my home is that it is my first summer ever in the position I am in now. Last summer was pretty perfect. We had just moved into our new condo within a new town. We had some money in the bank from the sale of our home. Now we would have the opportunity to purchase some much needed items…stuff like a year’s worth of shower and bath soap, a whole bunch of cleaning supplies, rugs for our new place etc. You get the idea. It was so fun exploring the new sights, the neighborhood & well, a new summer! This summer is even newer. Since all the past 6 or 7 part time gigs didn’t work for me, I embarked upon a new one back in February. Then COVID hit. Then my new gig started running again. Slo-o-o-o-owly. Naturally, right? Right! Not being a summer gal by nature (I’m a fall kinda girl), I never seem to look forward to summer. BUT this one is looking dandy! The gig is THE best fit of ANY I’ve ever had in my entire life! So I’m happy. Peaceful. At my regular ole atypical schedule on an atypical timeline with my atypical husband. Hey, “life is short and then we die.” Right? Right! So my summer is a happy one…ran like I haven’t a care in the world. We’re a bazillion dollars in debt, can’t pay property taxes, thankfully going to food pantries and our 2020 stimulus check is no where in sight. Bottom line…My spouse (an elderly man), our cross-eyed, elvis lip, bad breath cat and I ARE HAPPY! Regardless of the circumstances. This in and of itself is a blessing! It is and will continue to be a memorable, fun and happy summer! Cheers!
A successful summer schedule is lots of time spent outside, at the lake, doing creative projects and having fun. I’m not sure how much of that will be possible this year, but I am hoping for the best!
A successful summer schedule is a day that starts with my oldest 16-year-old teaching my 11-year-old math (to overcome distance learning gaps…) she has the patience for his distractions not many have. Then some outside time, he can read in the back yard or go for a bike ride. Then he gets his screen time, usually while drawing, he is teaching himself digital drawing and practicing new technics. We have lunch together. In the afternoon he has over zoom Karate class and in the evening we go for a family walk and eat dinner, on really good days we play a game together as a family. Note! Most days are not like this
A successful summer schedule takes into account that summer only comes once a year, and that savoring its pleasures is equally as important as maintaining the house or academics.
I really enjoyed reading all the great ideas from other commenters
A successful summer schedule for us would be an early morning exercise routine (for everyone) followed by a breakfast, then learning time, play time,chore time, picnic lunch, clean up, special one on one time with the little one (or a mom/dad break since we switch off) then dinner prep, clean up and bedtime routine for little one, then some wind down the for the grown ups.
The key for us is consistency with some flexibility for activities while keeping in the same time allotment. I am going to start working on some visual cues to help with keeping us on schedule.
Thanks for all the great resources and ideas from other commenters. 😄
A successful summer schedule for my family right now is making time to sit together to make the schedule.
When we do this together, everyone gets input and we all understand where everyone is at and can make adjustments easily.
It allows us to make sure we stay on track, things get done but also creates time and space for the things that fill our souls. It allows us time to create, read, dream and have fun but at the same time, the schedule keeps us on grounded to what needs to be done. Thanks for the chance to win the prize and I hope everyone has a safe and fun summer!
A successful summer schedule looks like us all getting full nights sleep, the kids getting outside for at least half the day each day, eating dinner together 4-6 days a week, and doing some other all family activity at least one day a week. I think it also would be us getting away for a long weekend at the beach.
The perfect summer schedule for my family respects both the flexibility and the structure that my child needs. I look forward to having a few late nights with my son but mainly sticking to a Bed Time schedule. Sleep is absolutely the most important part of my sons routine. I will be excited to put the electronics and demands of homeschooling behind us and get outside and moving more throughout the day 🙂
As we pivot to a a new summer schedule, we hope for independent time to blend with family time and household obligations. Routines like morning dog walks, hygiene care, and wake/sleep times mix with varied reading time, outside playtime and electronics. Summertime should be a time to learn how to handle adjustments with family support and keep basic routines for independence and confidence. Kids need to grow with help.
A good summer schedule looks like getting out of bed to eat food at some point, and finding one ‘thing’ to complete that day. It can range from chores like clothes washing or tidying one section of a room to hyper focusing on a new creative outlet. Sometimes I need to be reminded that having fun isn’t always a waste of time, especially during vacation!