Large Family Summer Scheduling

School is over and we've already got the garden in. Now we are looking forward to two weeks of relaxing (since dad will have his vacation time) and then we will be on our official summer schedule.

Yes, I said schedule!!!!!

Why am I a firm believer in scheduling during the summer? Because in our home we cannot function without order. Also, I could never imagine allowing all that free summertime going to waste. I believe that God has given us time as a precious gift and that we need to be good stewards of it. Believe me---children around here never get a chance to say "I'm bored!"----in fact, I think they might be afraid to since they know I have a list of jobs/projects awaiting them if they even dared to think such a thought! ;)

Here are some ways my daughters will be spending the summer:

learning to bake whole wheat bread/scones
creating a vlogging series that will minister to others
taking over fixing all meals
learn to make laundry soap
sell on Ebay
Create their own business on Etsy
create school scrapbooks
library volunteering
drama club
various home painting projects
learn to cut hair on their brothers
practice instruments: piano, violin, recorder
Character studies
learn Spanish/typing (for younger one)
get drivers permit
educational games online (to stay fresh!)
preparing for 2 garage sales
create garden/home notebooks

and most importantly: Their Summer Reading Lists

What is a Summer Reading List? It is a list that is handpicked and prayed over by us (the parents) that the child will read to encourage godly growth and character. It does not have to include just books but can also include great articles, blogs, etc. At the top of this is their personal devotional time with the Lord. We have something called Life Journals that we use to journal about what we read in the Bible, so we will be using those. My daughters are avid readers so I make sure that I keep godly/educational/feminine/homemaking books around to inspire. Biographies are great too, especially of legendary evangelists or martyrs of the faith.

This does not include other small projects they will be helping me with--this is just some of the bigger things I definitely want to accomplish with our precious time. My sons have a list as well. In fact, I have a notebook with a list for each child and what we are to accomplish with them by the end of summer--even right down to our little boy twins and their potty-training! And of course, don't forget Mom. My list is very important to me because once I get everything on paper I don't have to carry it all around in my head. It is like unloading luggage when I create a list that allows my mind to be free to think about other things, while not forgetting to do the important things.

Now lastly, I want you to remember that the list/schedule or any list/schedule that you make is not there to control you. You make sure to make it work for you and not vice versa. Make plenty of room for flexibility (it is summer after all!) Be sure to add plenty of fun in too and plan for some great summer memories early in advance---as we all know summer will pass by in a blink of an eye-----so be sure to get done what you set out to accomplish as you celebrate the summer season!