School is out and Summer has officially begun! Well, crap! These two words are likely on the mind – and lips – of most parents when they think of the inevitable stress that Summer break can undoubtedly bring on. Keeping the kiddos entertained and engaged, making amazing memories, not to mention the added financial strain can be super nerve-racking. But, fear not, the parental pressure can be a little subdued with these helpful tips for a stress free Summer.

Try to stick to a consistent daily agenda

Treat the dog days of Summer the same way you would approach a regular school day. Getting up at roughly the same time Monday to Friday, getting dressed and ready for the day, and eating a healthy breakfast is a great habit to continue. Whether your child is attending day care, camp, or staying home alone – keep their days relatively consistent.

Feel free to say NO

Take charge of your Summer and don’t over-commit to too many plans. It’s perfectly fine to say no to over-scheduling your children – and yourselves. Slating in some Summer sports, family activities, and time with friends is important, I get it. But not every single day of the week! You’ll crash and burn before the middle of July!

Be present and enjoy your time together

Having a preset plan is definitely nice, but isn’t always necessary. Super fun can certainly be had simply by hanging out and connecting with one another. Make pancakes together, grocery shop as a family, head to the park for a picnic, or break out the badminton set for a little friendly competition. Try to make the most this time together by taking a break from devices.

Take advantage of local free amenities

There are a slew of convenient recreation facilities and community programs that cost little to nothing to enjoy! Check out this post for some more helpful resources.

• Parks, playgrounds, and splash pads.
• Municipal swimming pools.
• Area hiking trails.
• Local beaches and marinas.
• Public libraries. Check out library websites for Summer reading programs.
• Recreation programs. Most communities offer some Summer sports and day camps.

Schedule activities

Write is down and commit to it. Whether it’s a weekly movie night complete with popcorn, a family board game marathon, or just enjoying an occasional evening camp fire. Scheduling activities on a weekly or monthly basis gives the whole family something to look forward to!

Consider day trips

A family adventure doesn’t need to be a five day (or longer) affair that costs thousands of dollars! A memorable experience can definitely be achieved in one single day. Ask yourself – what hasn’t the family experienced yet or in a long time? – and do it!

Hit up TripAdvisor or Groupon for some fun and exciting activities (plus possible savings) in your area (or within an hour or two from home). Try African Lion Safari, The Toronto Zoo, Ripley’s Aquarium, The Butterfly Conservatory in Cambridge, or Storybook Gardens.

Set aside time to chill

As stated above – it’s important to not overdo it on plans and activities this Summer. Allow a day or two (or more) for just chilling out at home to stay on top of household chores and hold down the couch for a bit. Let the kids watch YouTube and chat with their friends. That way you can enjoy a relaxing cocktail with your spouse in peace!

Do you have any helpful tips for a stress free Summer that you’d like to share?!

Feel free to drop any info or tricks that you’ve adopted for surviving Summer break!