Ok parents…the end of the year is upon us… DON’T FREAK OUT!!!
Yes, yes, I know you are wondering, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH THEM ALLLLL SUMMER?? I got you covered but FIRST, let’s regroup, get cleaned up from the school year and get prepared for those long days and activities ahead…
Here is a list of 10 things to do now or the last day of school to prepare yourself and your kids for a great summer!
- Unpack/clean out your child’s backpack. Inspect it to see if they will need a replacement (add it to a list for Back to School shopping, if needed) and put it in their closet. This way you are not searching your home for it in Fall and it will be cleaned out ready to go.
- Go through all papers you have saved and decide what to toss. Consider getting your child(ren) involved. Ask them which they would prefer to keep if you have trouble deciding. If you want to keep some (or a lot) and they take up space, pictures of their art projects that you can not keep because of space and consider making a Shutterfly or other online scrapbook.
- Get rid of all school reference papers and school emails that you have kept all year.
- Go through their summer clothing if you haven’t already and see what fit. Make a list of what you need, this way you don’t get stuck without swim trunks or bathing suits, rash guard or cover up when you are packing for vacation.
- Buy new sunscreen, bug spray and/or aloe, if needed.
- Clean and disinfect the lunch bag/box and put away. Or if you are like me this year, add it to the ‘Back to School shopping list’.
- Sign the kids up for your local library’s summer reading program or mark the date it starts on the calendar. I was not aware of how this worked until my friend introduced me to it last summer. In our area, the kids get lots of FREE passes to local kid related places! Did you know Pizza Hut and Barnes and Noble both have programs as well? FREE pizzas and a FREE book, yes please!
- Clean out your vehicle. You have been driving to school drop off, sporting events, etc all year. You have gone through the muck and mire of Fall and Winter. You deserve a clean car. Bonus: clean car for vacation!
- Make a summer bucket list- be realistic. There are lots of great ideas on Pinterest. Here is a Summer Bucket List printable for you that I created! And here is the non-social special Summer 2020 edition
- Get those snacks replenished because you know those kids are going to want all the cookies and popsicles on those hot days!
- For the love, go get yourself a treat too. You earned it! Ok, maybe you should take the kids and celebrate the end of the school year too 😆
Well we’ve arrived! It’s the end of the year and summer is almost here! I hope you have a fun, safe and happy summer vacation.
Do you have anything to add to this list? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy Summer,
