Now that school is out for summer, kids are ready for some fun and freedom, but parents? Not so much. Sure, they love getting to spend family time together, but the season can also be stressful for moms and dads when the messes start piling up and the inevitable cries of boredom come. And for working parents, the constant juggle for child care, camp chaos and continuing to pack lunches can be challenging.
But parents on social media are here to help. They’re sharing their favorite hacks to make summer time with kids a little easier.
- Create a summer routine chart - For little ones, make a chart with velcro so they can move tasks like reading, crafts, doing something kind, and cleaning up from one side to the other as they complete them. And don’t forget rewards when they get things done.
- Set up a DIY pool on the beach - On beach days, the ocean is right in front of you, but younger kiddos may not want to get knocked around by waves. That’s when creating a mini pool using a cheap shower curtain can help. Just dig a small hole, cover it with the curtain, and pour water in for a little spot for them to splash, play, and keep cool.
- Use color-coded dishes for kids - Avoid having a sink full of dishes at the end of the night by assigning kids their own color cups and bowls and having them wash the ones they use.
- Ready-to-grab snacks in the fridge - Kids are on an endless search for snacks during the summer, so give them healthier options to pick from by prepping fruit and veggies they can grab from the fridge, along with cheese sticks and yogurt, that they’re allowed to take any time they’re hungry.
- How to get teens to clean their own rooms - One mom gives her teens a grace period of a few days after asking them to clean their rooms, then when it expires, they get a 24-hour warning. If it’s still not clean, she cleans their room, then sends them an itemized bill for her time and services. Kids who had to pay up once didn’t want to do it again, so they kept their rooms clean.
- Prep your car for anything that comes your way - Summer plans on the fly are no problem if your car has everything you need inside. Use seatback organizers to stash extra clothes, sunscreen and a first aid kit, and put extra shoes, sports equipment, and anything else you might want in the trunk.
- Use a makeup brush to apply sunscreen - This makes it easier to get on small squirmy bodies and faces, and it keeps your hands cleaner, too.
- To bring popsicles to the park - Keep this summer treat cold by stashing them inside a large, insulated cup, like a Stanley or a Yeti, filled with ice so your popsicles are still frozen when you arrive.
Source: Parents
Photo: Getty Images