Ready or not...

Summer is HERE!

What are your summer plans? I'm not just talking about the fun stuff planned for summer... but how do you plan to make summer a "success" instead of a "stress"?

Summer is here and it’s my favorite time of year, not only because sunshine majorly boosts my mood and energy, but also because I get to spend more time with my kids, catch up on fun-tivities, work on unfinished DIY projects I never seem to have the time to do during the school year, RELAX (with less pressure in the day to get somewhere on time), and go on vacations to satisfy my wanderlust!

BUT….

Oh and there is a HUGE BUTTT… (yes, I can also hear my kids laughing at “huge butt” too)….

Summer ALSO means KIDS.HOME.ALL.DAY! Dun, dun, DUUUUUNNN!

So it’s a bit of a Catch-22… while it’s great to have kids home, WHAT can we do exactly to make sure summer stays a happy time for everyone?

Here are my TOP 5 TIPS on how to have a “successful” summer break, from a mom of 3 who “gets it” and has learned a thing or two! Whether you work, stay home, have littles, or have almost grown kids, you’ll find something here to help!

Jen’s "TOP 5" Tips for Summer Success!

TIP #1: Make a Summer Bucket List! This is a something fun you can do with your kids too! Have them brainstorm what they want to do this summer and write them all down on a piece of paper, then post it up on the fridge. This gives you ideas of what to do, and some things to look forward to as well.

TIP #2: Set screentime parameters! Decide how long they are allowed to be on screens each day. Timers have helped us stay on track with this. We have 2 timers on the fridge that my kids manage themselves super well.

And I highly suggest NO screens first thing in the morning (we do no screens before 10am), and no screens after a specified time in the evening. (For example, we do no screens past 6pm during the school year and 7pm over summer, since it stays light out longer and they don’t have to wake up as early for school).

I’ve noticed this helps with self-regulation, avoiding overwhelm, and making sure kids are not just on screens ALL day. Setting a timeframe helps you keep screens as a tool in the toolbox! Besides, summertime is the time for making memories! ADDED BONUS: If your kids are ACTIVE during the day, they will be happier and healthier, and sleep better too!

TIP #3: Make a (loose) schedule! Routine is KEY for keeping kids less anxious (and less whiny, too)! Let’s be real, EVERYONE is happier when there is less whining involved! Text me the word “Summer” to 971-220-1678 and I will send you a free “Summer Schedule Worksheet” that you can print out to help you along!

The KEY with a schedule is to make it work for you, and remember that these are just guidelines. Start with a bedtime that works for you, and work backwards from there. (By keeping a bedtime consistent, you will also have more well-rested kids and set you up for a great next day of fun)!

TIP #4: Have a family meeting to go over expectations, chores, childcare responsibilities, and summer schedules. With everyone home and in the same space, setting some ground rules and expectations can help ease everyone into the summer flow of things! (But give yourself grace too… transitions can be hard on everyone…. it can take a while to adjust and get everyone on the same page).

A few bonus ideas... Ask the kids which friends they want to see over the summer, and coordinate playdates! Or talk to older kids about your expectations with regards to inviting friends over or hanging out elsewhere. Go over how to be respectful, any ground rules, and what they are allowed to do/not do (for example, "if they wouldn’t be allowed to do it at home, they are probably not allowed to outside of the home either." And let your big kids know if you’re okay with them going to a park, or walking around the neighborhood with friends. Keep lines of communication open (with the kids and other parents). Teamwork is key!

TIP #5: And of course… JUST KEEP READING! Don’t get overwhelmed or intimidated by the “Summer Slide” stats, but don't ignore them either! (Not familiar with this phrase? The “Summer Slide" refers to the academic loss experienced by school-aged children over the summer break. Read more in this infographic!)

READING is a simple solution to preventing the slide! If you do nothing else except READ ALOUD to your kids this summer, that is ENOUGH! The recommendation is 20 minutes of reading every day, in order to achieve the 2-3 hour goal per week, but those 20 minutes a day do not have to be in one large chunk... it could be broken up over multiple times throughout the day. (And “READ ALOUD” time counts! You can even implement a Family Read Aloud Time at some point each day, or even just once a week).

Remember, modeling reading to your kids can be a great strategy to develop a love of reading in your home too. (For more tips on how to develop a love of reading, read my past blog post: "The ABC's of Developing a Love of Reading: First Steps!")

Remember, these 5 TIPS for summer success are all guidelines! Don’t stress if a “summer break rule” isn’t followed perfectly… it is summer BREAK after all and the perfect time for kids to have more unstructured fun! Go with the flow, adjust things as needed, and make exceptions for a family movie night once in a while.

Other ideas to try for a successful summer break:

• Schedule camps for you kids (if funds allow)!
• Alternate playdates with friends!
• Make new neighborhood friends with kids similar in age (but doesn’t have to be exact)!
• Coordinate friend hang-outs (where ALL your kids are out of the house) so your kids can keep in touch with their friends over the break, but you can also have uninterrupted time alone to do whatever you’d like…. maybe that will be your chance to work on a home project you’ve been dying to get back to, for example).
• Go on family walks after dinner!
• Participate in a Summer Reading Challenge!
• Plan work and play outings… take kids to the library or bookstore, or a splash pad, an awesome playground (indoors if your area is too HOT), or some place kids can entertain themselves for an hour and you can knock out a few emails!
• Refer back to what you did during the pandemic. I know many of us picked up skills for creating more space in the day!
• Be flexible and remember to have fun! Grown-ups need to play and have fun, too!

What is one thing YOU do during summer, that you have found helps things go smoother? Comment or share your thoughts by emailing me back! I would love to know and pass along your ideas too!

VACATION PLANS, ANYONE?

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Whether it be camping, road trips, visiting extended family far away, or plane rides to fun or tropical destinations, I highly recommend stocking up on activity books for on the go to help you make traveling with kids a little less daunting!

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​Click here to check out my TOP RECOMMENDATIONS for the PaperPie "must-haves" for summer break!

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Added Bonus: PaperPie activity books also make excellent stay-cation resources too… or as I like to call them: “SANITY SAVERS!” Books that help your kids practice their reading skills or continue learning core topics, are a great way to prevent the Summer Slide as well!

If you are looking for a book refresh for any kids in your life, NOW is the perfect time to shop from Jen's Little Bookstore with PaperPie. Here's a quick breakdown of all the special offers and promotions happening right now!

Check out the current Savings Shelf category (filled with amazing books for 50% off every month)!

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And be sure to grab your PASS before you shop! Our new PAPERPIE PASS PROGRAM is a shipping membership that gives you bonus perks (all year long!) and access to free shipping when you subscribe. Ask me for details by texting the word "pass" to 971-220-1678.

Lastly, don't forget our monthly Free Gifts offered for every $50 spent!

If you want a fun and flexible way to earn extra money this Summer, consider activating your own brand partner account (for just $10!) and I will personally help you throw a "Summer Book Bash" online so your friends and family can shop from YOU! You will earn 25% commissions on all sales, PLUS a bunch of free books to boost your own home library as well! It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Want to check out the new books, educational toys, puzzles, games and other literacy tools from PaperPie? Shop anytime at www.jenslittlebookstore.com​

Need help with book shopping on a budget?

I would love to help you bring more quality books into your home, and make it happen for FREE!

I can't wait to help you refresh your home library and maybe even given you some guidance on starting your own home business! As always, if you'd like a personalized list of recommendations specific to the kids you're shopping for this season, click the "Let's Chat" button above to send me an e-mail. Or simply text the word "chat" to 971-220-1678 and I'll personally respond. I look forward to hearing from you!

Happy Gathering & Happy Summer Reading!

-Jen

Jennifer de Guzman, Literacy Advocate

PaperPie Brand Partner and Advanced Leader, PaperPie Learning Educational Services Representative, www.jenslittlebookstore.com​

PaperPie, formerly called Usborne Books & More, offers engaging and educational books and learning products for kids of all ages, newborn through teens. Browse the full selection anytime here: www.jenslittlebookstore.com

Read my previous newsletters including "The ABC's of Reading" and "Do you know a kid that hates reading?" for a few helpful and EASY tips to develop and nurture a love of reading, and what to do when you have a "picky" reader.

To schedule a personal shopping appointment or free discovery call, or to learn more about becoming a brand partner with PaperPie, send an email to: jen@jenslittlebookstore.com or text: 971-220-1678 Or click the link below to schedule with me on Calendly: https://calendly.com/jenslittlebookstore​