It’s a busy time of year with the school year coming to a close and summer is quickly approaching. There are field trips, award ceremonies, field days for each grade, final projects, teacher meetings, summer camp sign-ups, final exams and even baseball championships. Did I forget anything? Probably! Us full time working moms (and all parents!) are pulled in many different directions especially this time of year. I already regret that my work travels next week conflict with Wyatt and Deacon’s end of year award ceremonies, “Show me your genius.” as their school calls it. But Dad will still go and send me the pictures. I’ll cheer them on from afar this time.

The summer calendar fills up quickly and thankfully so! Baseball tournaments, vacation, summer camp, VBS and visitors will keep us busy along with plenty of pool and beach days with friends when I’m not working. For downtime, and while I’m at work, I have some goals for the boys and projects to keep them busy. Also, they need to stay busy or else they will fight and argue with eachother! (Anyone else? 😬🖐)

Here is my short list- let me know what else you may add!

• A simple workout routine, mostly for Hunter (and DD too) as he gets ready for middle school sport try-outs. Something simple but impactful that I can design for him. 💪
• House Projects- including donating things from their rooms and closets like clothes and toys- a purge if you will
• Summer reading- I am compiling a list of the best books for young boys📚
• Community service hours for National Honor Society
• Basketball and baseball camps and practice with friends- to get ready for those tryouts ⚾️🧢🏀
• Fishing, biking on trails and outdoor time… despite the heat🎣🚲
• Doing chores for neighbors, even for some $, we already have a few lined up!

Of course there will be fun with friends, family vacation, pool time and more but during their downtime, I am just trying to get ahead of the inevitable “Mom, we’re bored.” and committing to sticking to a list for them to choose from each day- something productive and fulfilling. They won’t love this but like I always say, you can’t let the animals run the Zoo. 🐵🐒

What’s intentionally missing from my list? Screens, video games and cell phones. We took video games away when we moved here almost 2 years ago and never looked back (no Nintendo switches, no iPads/tablets or gaming systems). I know this isn’t the easiest on the parents but it is 100% the best thing for our boys who just can’t find a healthy balance. Some kids can balance it just fine but not ours and we have seen it brings out the worst in them. Hunter is 13 and does not have a cell phone and we don’t have a plan yet for when he will. We have a 3rd line (cell phone that stays in the house if absolutely needed) and Hunter and Deacon have a watch where we control the contacts that they can call or text so that we can get ahold of them when they go on bike rides.

What else might you add? What is a new fun, cheap/free activity for kids this summer in Gulf Shores? Looking for suggestions and buddies to make it a fun (and productive!) summer.☀️🌊🌴🐬