It’s time for my Friday favorites once again! This week we’re going to talk about some easy, healthy meals that my husband, kids and I absolutely love to have for our family dinner nights.
One requirement to continue reading past this point is that you keep an open mind to the recipes I’m about to give, okay? Okay.
{Thanks to Closet Cooking for this photo!}First up, BBQ chicken pizza with a cauliflower crust. Remember, open mind! It sounds like the strangest thing ever, I know. I can only imagine what my face looked like when my sweet friend Laci first introduced me to this interesting food choice, but I promise you it is delicious. And it’s healthy. A win-win!
Here’s the recipe so you can try it for yourself…
1/2 Large head of cauliflower (= 2+ cups of shredded cauliflower)
1 Large egg
1 Cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
1 Teaspoon of oregano
1/2 Teaspoon of dried minced garlic (or fresh garlic)
1/2 Teaspoon of onion salt
To make the crust:
1. Shred the cauliflower into small crumbles. You can use a food processor, just be careful not to puree. I use a cheese grater and it works fine. You will need 2+
cups of cauliflower crumbles. Place the cauliflower crumbles into a large bowl and microwave them dry for 8 minutes. Let the cauliflower cool.
2. Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a cookie sheet or pizza pan with non-stick spray. In a medium bowl, mix the cauliflower crumbles with the remaining ingredients. Pat the “crust” into a 9 to 12 – inch round shape or a rectangular shape on the prepared pan. Spray the crust lightly with nonstick spray and bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Remove the crust from the oven and turn the heat up to broil.
3. Prepare the Pizza: Decide what toppings you want on your pizza. I chose to make BBQ chicken Pizza (see topping recipe below.) Top the crust with the barbecue chicken mixture, add red onion and top with cheese. Broil the pizza for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with fresh cilantro. Cut and serve immediately.
This pizza is best served on a plate with a fork.
For the BBQ chicken topping:
1/2 Cup barbecue sauce
1 Cup cooked, shredded chicken breast
3/4 Cup shredded Gouda cheese (you can use mozzarella or any kind of cheese you
like – Gouda goes well with BBQ Chicken)
Thinly sliced red onions
Fresh cilantro
You can really tailor this recipe to whatever kind of pizza your family likes – pepperoni, veggie, extra cheese, etc.
And then for dessert… drum roll, please… avocado chocolate ice cream!
{Thanks to Vegan Culinary Crusade for this photo!}Y’all. I don’t know about you, but when someone tells me there’s a healthy way to get some chocolate into my system, my excitement level rises. I love chocolate. My family loves chocolate. This is perfect!
1/2 Avocado
3/4 Cup coconut or almond milk
1/3 Cup hot cocoa mix (You can use sugar-free if you’d like. You can also switch out the chocolate for frozen strawberries)
2 Cups ice, add more for thicker mix
4 Baby carrots
1 Rib of celery
Blend on high speed of blender for about 45 seconds.
Serve immediately.
If these recipes just saved your mind a whole lot of trouble in deciding what to have for dinner tonight, you won’t want to miss my FREE Summer Sanity Savers webcast on Tuesday, April 23 at 8pm (EST). My friend Crystal Paine and I will be talking about how to save money, time, and of course, your sanity! Just sign up below to receive a reminder about the webcast.
Here’s some more exciting news… today I’m giving away a $250 Amazon gift certificate! Yes! You can win a $250 gift certificate (that would be crazy fun, hunh?!) There’s a whole lot more on Amazon than just books. You could use that credit toward new kitchen appliances to whip up some healthy meals this summer. Smiles.
All you have to do is leave a comment below giving me your summer sanity saving tips. I will announce one blog commenter as the winner on the webcast Tuesday 🙂 See you there!
I love the recipes! I’ve been trying to change my food choices. Thx!
Try a different park each week, even driving a fe
w hours to one. Be a tourist in your own corner of the world.
My sanity saver for this summer is making enough of a dinner to put half of it in the freezer to thaw and reheat quickly for my family. Hope this works, because right now, it’s the PLAN, not yet the accomplishment! Smiles.
I’m loving this series, Lysa. Thanks!!
My summer sanity saver is just to remember what summers meant to me when I was a kid…they were FUN, relaxed, laid back, stress free…and let’s face it…not having to get the kids up for school means a morning I can do my devotions BEFORE they get up which makes for a better day. Can’t wait to hear your sanity savers Lysa!
I will preserve the sanity of myself and the kids by making as few commitments as possible! No regular sports, swim teams, etc…leaving us open for relaxing family time in the mornings and some spontaneous fun!!
Empty nest, no grand kids yet so we kind of don’t have the summer sanity issues right now. BUT, I’m so excited about the pizza crust. I have made some cauliflower crusts before and the biggest hassle was getting the cooked cauliflower drained WELL. This idea is brilliant to cook dry. The flavor was nothing like cauliflower so it is one of my favorite healthy subs. Now, about the ice cream. That sounds so bizarre. I was okay until the carrots and celery. CARROTS and CELERY???? I just can’t imagine the flavors. I will have to try it but just so hard to wrap my mind around that. So thankful there are people coming up with healthy alternatives to yummy foods.
Summer is my favorite ~ my sanity saver, a pool membership!
My summer sanity saver is Sunday grill out day. I generally do my grocery shopping on Saturday. When I get home, I prep all grill meet (usually3-5 pounds of chicken breasts or tenderloins-favorite marinade is a cheap Italian salad dressing. Just pour the whole bottle into the bag that the breasts come in! Let sit overnight). Sunday afternoon I wash and package fresh veggies for the week, as well as wash fruit and leave it strategically on counters and in frig for an easy pick me up. We fire up th grill late afternoon, cook all if the chicken, brats, burgers, etc. eat your favorite Sunday evening and store the rest in the fridge for easy meals all week! My favorite left over is grilled chicken on a romaine salad topped with sundried tomatoes in olive oil, avacado, black olives, sunflower seeds or wasabi peas,…Yummy!
My summer sanity saver is to plan ahead for meals . Make enough to have left overs!!!
The outdoors with the kids is a sanity saver. It gets us out of the house plus all the fresh makes them sleep great!
My summer sanity save tip is to plan meals at least two weeks ahead and go to the store only once. I know that this sound strange, but with the way things are with us, I do this and it saves money for us.
My summer sanity saver is going to be buying a 3 month pass to the waterpark that’s 5 minutes from my house and taking my girls as often as possible. We all LOVE the water and it will be good exercise too:-)
That pizza sounds super yummy!
My Summer Sanity Saver has a little bit of planning involved. Throughout the colder months, I collect pinterest ideas, leftover containers (yogurt, sour cream, cereal boxes, etc), bottle caps, magazines, broken crayons, anything that could be crafty. I print out the ideas, and store everything in a large plastic bin. Then on rainy summer days when we can’t go outside with the kids, we have an instant craft activity!
Sanity saver: never use the oven in the summer months. It heats up my kitchen, makes me hot, which makes me grumpy and irritable.
My kids are grown, so I don’t have to deal with ball games, camps, etc. any longer. To save my sanity around my house, I try to stay out and ahead of the weeds!
Last summer, my cousin put a pool in and invited me to come swim….every day! Although I didn’t make it every day, I went at least 3-4 afternoons a week after work. I quickly realized it wasn’t about the swimming, but about making time for myself doing something I enjoyed. And, that made such a difference in my sanity….and, how my jeans fit!!
Our 5 year old twins like having routine and structure so they know what to expect. (ie: Our No-Tech Tuesdays and Thursdays, Friday Game Nights) My summer sanity idea is to have each one of them pick one or two activities each week for all of us to do. Whether it’s just playing a particular game or sport outside, going to the library, heading to the Zoo, etc. The idea is not so much what we do, but that they are “in charge” for the day’s activities. I know I often have such high expectations on trying to plan fun things to do, hopefully this will remind me that kiddos really love simple pleasures.
Acutally enjoying my summer sanity as my son graduates and enjoying every last minute of his senior year baseball games. Time really does fly when your havin fun!
Praise God!!!
My Summer Sanity Savers are easy! I have three boys ages 13, 10 and 6. They love to be outside but at times need a referee! So, I plan to do yard work, flower planting, weeding and outdoor activities when they are outside. I like to use my crock pot for cooking in the summer. It does not heat the house up. I like to make two of the same dish and freeze one without cooking it. It can be used for another day. Some days we cook out on the grill while the boys play outside. We enjoy outings to the park on many days and often take a picnic. My boys also enjoy movie night and we have Netflix, which is a great money saver and more convenient than having to leave home to rent a movie. Summer is about fun and relaxing and not being in a rush. I am thankful to have a job that allows me to be at home in the summer, although it gets really crazy at my house! I enjoy all your devotions and posts. They are a tremendous encouragement to me as a mom. I appreciate that you are real and you do not mind showing it!
My Summer Sanity is listening to the birds sing. I know that there will be pretty weather ahead. We can get out and garden and do outdoor stuff.
One of my biggest sanity savers is to have the kids do more chores than during the school year. During school, their time to be a kid is already so limited (without much in the way of extra curriculars even), I ask for help as we go, nothing much set. During the summer, each has assigned chores and helps with all aspects of laundry. I emphasize that the quicker we get done in the mornings, the more time we get to play…including mommy. One other sanity saver is cooking on the grill often means fewer dishes to wash and keeps the kitchen cooler.
That sounds so good. I can have as much of the crust as I want and not worry about what I just did to my waist line. There are no kids home anymore so I don’t have to worry about the ewwww’s when I get caught making it that way. When I switched from potatoes to cauliflower in potato salad; Oh what a ruccas.
I always feel better mentally and physically when I’m getting adequate exercise. So I’ll be taking frequent walks outside this spring/summer and drinking lots of water!
My summer sanity is to make a menu on Friday, shop on Saturday and begin marinating meats for the next three days (at a time) on Sunday. No need to run to the grocery store when we don’t have to. And, we put healthy snacks (portioned controlled) in small plastic bags on Sunday night so they are available and ready to go anytime!
My summer sanity savers are the swimming pool & VBS hopping! We go to 3 or 4 VBS at different churches.
My summer sanity will be walking more and using our grill as much as possible!!
My summer sanity saver is to prep as much of the meal as I can in the morning or during the day so that there is little work at dinner time when things can be so hectic
Summer Sanity tip…
Meal planning with one day of prepping & cooking for the week. make meals that render leftover that you can turn into another meal the next day. Make meals ahead & freeze. Wash & cut all your produce when you get it from the market.
Not only does this save time but allows you to make better choices when you have food prepped & ready to go.
Being prepared for the week will allow me more play time with my kids & cut back on the stress of cooking!
Summer Sanity Saver? Three words – sunscreen and water!
We spend a lot of time in the lake! So thankful to be living where we can do that.
Sounds yummy!!
I am reading your book, “Made to Crave” and I have signed up for your 21 day challenge. It has “ME” written all over it. First chapter describes me to a T. I am praying through it all now, Lord help me crave healthy! And praying, “Lord I don’t want my stomach to be my God.” I have made it through 4 days!!! I even turned down pizza last night. Thank you for the pizza recipe, just in time.
I know this probably doesn’t sound save to most, but my son is heading into 2nd grade this year and he really wants to be on a level 3 reading level, so my summer of sanity is to air sown next week and write up a 30-45 minute, fu lesson plan to help him get there! I would like to say, i am not a teacher, but in order for me to not lose my sanity, lesson plan is the way to go! Thanks for your tips!! We are going to have that pizza tomorrow!
We are members of our states historical society. The family membership is cheap and includes access to over 20 sites and museums. The membership lasts a year, but we make the most use over the summer. We are also members of the zoo and visit there frequently as well.
Thanks for the recipe, we make GF dinners at our house so this could be useful!
My summer sanity saver plan is to cook/grill many different meals on the weekend and have leftovers and/or non-cooked meals during the week 🙂
My sanity saver for this summer… get my workout in bright and early so that I can get it out of the way! then I can spend the day with my kiddos without having to worry about it 🙂 also, try and get my meal plans taken care of BEFORE I go shopping… really have to work on this one!
A few of my summer sanity savers…
1) I also cook for two meals either putting one in the freezer for another time or having the leftovers for another meal.
2) FRESH fruits and veggies from the garden! It limits what produce I need to buy from the grocery store and allows me to walk outside to pick straight from the garden for the meals coming up.
3) You cannot beat the timesaver of picking up a rotisserie chicken or two for dinner, making chicken salad, BBQ, tacos, burritos, topping a quick salad or just shredding and freezing in portions to use in upcoming recipes. HUGE timesaver!
4) Grilling on Saturdays or Sunday afternoon to cook the meats for several nights.
5) Don’t forget the crock-pot for summer. Let it cook for you and doesn’t heat up the kitchen.
Summer to us means lighter and quicker meals to allow the time for what is fun and what really matters.
With younger Grandchildren, anything with water, sand, and toys, are the simple pleasures they enjoy. Happy laughter is my reward! How I love my Grands! Simple meals, grilling out, lots of hugs, makes for peaceful homes. Stories read, lessons from God learned, prayers at all times, hearts entwined! This is love!
My summer sanity is doing the Unglued Bible Study. Just started it last night with a group of 18. Most of them have never heard you speak and loved it. Praying for life changes for all of them!
Sanity saver…parks. State park or even your local town park. Do a picnic, fly a kite, great place to eat ice cream. Enjoy the great out doors.
My summer sanity saver is bringing the kids to the local swimming park! Everyone is happy playing in the sunshine and swimming all day! Also, keeping a routine through the week to make sure what needs to get done does.
I have been wanting to try that pizza crust for a long time and I am going to do it this weekend! We have six kids so my summer sanity is eating on the deck (no sweeping) and camping as my husband does most of the camping cooking! Thank you!
My summer sanity saver is to take some time before the last day of school and plan out the things my kids would like to do. I make a list of trips, crafts, games, etc and then make sure I have the materials/directions needed for everything. I also look at the calendar and try to write everything down so I can be as organized as possible. It really helps me out when the kids are yelling “I’m bored” to have a plan and all the supplies needed.
My sanity saver is to make dinner early in the morning before the craziness of the day begins. I sometimes use a crock pot or get everything prepared and ready to throw in the oven or on the grill at supper time.
For me, my summer sanity saver is deciding to wake up with a good attitude (and not leave my room until I HAVE a good attitude) and then doing everything in my power to make it a fun day with my kids! Swimming at local lakes, fires with smores (no cauliflower involved :-), summer camps, walks and bike rides, summer book clubs…especially for the prizes. We always load up on water toys and a pool for days around the home with little ones. I can’t wait for summer!
I am going to have to try the pizza : ) wish me luck!
My summer sanity saver – plan the weeks in February…. I work full time, so summer day camp is required. A lot of the camps are full by March.
A fun and easy summer snack is to take green grapes, washed, and place in the freezer. They are great frozen, like little pop cycles. Thanks Lysa for the new recipes.
My sanity saver: implementing a period of quiet time every day. With 5 kids running around, friends in & out, & trying to keep up with the regular day to day things in life, it’s barely-controlled chaos. Just 30 minutes of quiet time in the early afternoon has saved us. It gives the kids a break from each other & they come back having forgotten the silly arguments they’d been having, & it gives me a little time to catch my breath & get ready for the rest of the day.
My summer sanity saver is a summer bucket list. Each family member comes up with 4 or 5 things that we could do together as a family and then we try to choose 1 or 2 of those activities to do every week. Some might be as simple as making ice cream and some might require more work like a day trip to a favorite place. It gives the girls something to look forward to and lets us all be together as a family making memories 🙂
My trainer at the gym just gave me a similar cauliflower crust recipe- can’t wait to try this!!
My summer sanity tip is similar to other- pre- planning meals, doing some freezer meals, keeping the kids schedules light and flexible and a heavy dose of FUN. But one thing I haven’t seen mentioned yet- is I lOVE my crockpot- coming home to have dinner done is the best feeling ever! Many people doesn’t crockpot cook in the summer so it doesn’t heat up their homes- I never used to either. A couple years back I started puting my crockpot out in the garage- and letting it cook out there all day 🙂
The cauliflower crust sounds great – I have a similar recipe for a crust made of zucchini!
3-1/2 cups grated zucchini
3 large eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cups shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp basil
Sauce (note – I buy jarred sauce – I didn’t like this sauce and takes time!)
8 oz canned tomato sauce
6 oz canned tomato paste
1 tbsp ground oregano
1/4 tsp honey
Toppings (I use onions, fresh mushrooms, low fat shredded cheese – whatever!)
4 oz low fat cheddar or Colby cheese
4 oz canned sliced mushrooms
(Note – ingredients are listed for weight watchers – can use other cheeses)
Mix zucchini and eggs, flour, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese and basil. Spread on Pam sprayed cookie sheet (use a jelly roll pan). Bake at 350 until dry and firm.
Simmer tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, honey and mushrooms for 5 minutes. Put on top of baked zucchini. Top with cheddar cheese and mushrooms and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Let sand for 5 minutes before cutting.
In the heat of the summer my kids often ask for freezies and store bought popsicles. Hanging with kids buzzed on empty sugar calories on a daily basis… yikes! My summer sanity solution is to have lots of popsicle molds on hand and fill them with our left over smoothies. My kids basically hate milk, but love homemade smoothies mixed with just milk, yogurt and frozen fruit. The kids love their homemade ‘smoothie pops’ cool treats and I love that it is not just colored sugar water.
My summer sanity plan is to complete the Made to Crave Bible Study and to committ to as few things as possible. With the extra time I want to spend that in God’s Word to refresh and revive me for my college students returning for the fall semester.
My sanity saver is to have frequent no cook meals involving a smorgasboard of foods on the table to choose from like good breads and cheeses, lots of fresh fruit, veggies and dip. This is a favorite of my kids!
A few years ago myself and some other ladies at our church decided to start VBS a 1/2 hour early and serve supper during the week. We have one lady who is super coordinated and gathers fixings for tacos, sloppy joes, chicken tenders, hot dogs, pizza – lots of kid friendly options. It always brings in lots of kids to hear the Word, and helps the workers have one less thing to worry about during our week of VBS. It makes a busy week much more enjoyable.
I’m new to your posts but love them…great reminders throughout the day. Summer Sanity Tip: Cook up an entire package of frozen chicken at one time (grilled or on the stove). Then cube or shred and place in portion size freezer bags and freeze. It’s then ready as you need it for tacos, salads, pizza etc without starting from scratch with uncooked meat. Thaw and add the seasoning depending on what you’ll be using it for. More time to be outside enjoying my girls and my flowers!
My summer sanity saver is to grill at least once a week since that doesn’t requre much prep work, and i also double a meal once a week so I have an extra dinner to put in the freezer for the future.
Now that I am in the twilite years, I enjoy looking back. I remember one my mother’s sanity savers was a trip to the beach followed by ice cold watermelon (with salt, of course) served from the trunk of the old Ford. How happy we were.
My Summer Sanity Saver is to check out the free programs offered by the local library and park system. They have a magician, summer crafts and reading contests at the library. Through our town’s park system we have summer kids concerts every Thursday, many of them interactive.
Bonus: I am blessed with very active in-laws who take the kids to the park and the zoo for the day giving me a little sanity time for myself. 🙂
My sanity saver is to get outside and play with kids after supper. Great family time to enjoy each other and get some exercise.
My favorite summer sanity saver is that my dear husband and I just decided last night to take one whole day each month this summer to get away together to laugh, reconnect, and relax. He and I both work full time and we own a farm that gets crazy busy during the summer so we’re going to have to be deliberate to make it happen. But that one day of escape per month with him will surely get us through. 🙂
I’m a junior high and high school math teacher so summer IS my sanity saver! 🙂 I’m also a single mom of a teenage daughter who, at the moment, still likes me. My sanity saver during the summer is getting up and having my “coffee & chat” time with God outside in His creation…sort of reminds me that this life and this world are not all about me.
Love the blog, Lysa! (By the way, our Ladies’ Bible Study on Wednesday nights is going through your “Unglued” study. One of our sweet “seasoned-in-life” sisters commented the other night, “I believe that in my earlier years, I was a stuffer of my emotions, but my stuffing manifested itself physically as I began to suffer terribly from migraine headaches. It took many years for me to realize the cause of my pain.” What wisdom there is in that little woman!)
I love these recipes! Thank you Lysa!
My summer sanity saver is a pool membership! And a nice long run every morning since we don’t have to rush to school! I get rid of stress before the day even starts!
Love the recipes Lisa! My summer sanity saver is a good book. Right now I’m reading Living the Dream by Pastor Daniel Floyd. I’d love to use that Amazon card to buy copies for all my friends. 🙂
My summer sanity saver is grilling alot and then eating dinner outside on the deck. The crumbs are left outside and very little mess for mom to clean up! My kids love it and so do I!!
I love summer! I work in the schools so I get summers off so we enjoy spending time at the pool!! 🙂
I love these – can’t wait to try the pizza. Sounds super yummy! I have 2 little ones (2 and 5) so one of my sanity savers is using the quarterly Kraft magazine for easy recipes – I love these, and they normally only have a handful of ingredients so they are quick and easy. I am really enjoying reading (and stealing :-)) everyone else’s tips and tricks. Thank you!
I think these recipes sound totally yummy!!! My hubby on the other hand would never even try it!!! He hates cauliflower 🙁 and avacados! Maybe I’ll get a chance to try these with my momma! – One of my sanity saving things is my crockpot!!! I love being able to just throw stuff in in the morning and not worry about dinner for the rest of the day!
My sanity saver is training for a fall marathon – I know, squeezing one more thing in the schedule may seem a bit daunting at first! But nothing tops that incredible feeling of accomplishment and achievement when I look back over the week and tally my miles and look ahead to the next week’s plan knowing that I can and will do this. That and my weekly long runs are the ultimate description of a sanity saver. No matter how frazzled and frustrated I might be when i start out, I always end content and happy – it’s a fabulous way to recharge and reconnect 🙂
My summer sanity saver is keeping a food diary. I just started this and it makes a difference. Also change my reaction to my family members when they make comments I disagree with. Sometimes they are just stateting there own point of view and are open to hearing what I have to say. I don’t always react to that positively.
I’m excited to try the pizza (I’m just not going to tell my husband the crust is made from cauliflower until after he eats it :)).
My summer sanity saver is growing a small garden. We only grow the things we love – cucumbers, multicolored peppers, cherry tomatoes and lettuce. It doesn’t take much time to maintain, and it means fresh food, less trips to the store (which means saving money!), and I’ve always got food staples to work with when I’m trying to decide what to make for dinner.
My summer sanity saver is having the kids do all their chores in the morning so we can play in the afternoon. Looking forward to the webcast Tuesday night!
Now that we’re empty nesters we can have the grand kids over anytime and give my daughter a rest. We enjoy camping my grandson is four he doesn’t care if we just camp in the backyard in the camper. If we go to a campground our rule even for our grown children is no TV just to enjoy the outdoors, pool, and each other!
I think the next rule might have to be no texting or cell phones unless emergency!
Travel with water bottles. When out and about in the heat, you (and the kids) will get thirsty/hungry/cranky. Having something handy to meet the needs beats having to make a plan for a stop and will save $$$ too.
My summer sanity saver is to make as many whole meals on the grill as possible. So, I grill the meat, like chicken or fish, and always also throw on a couple different veggies, or diced potatoes for a side dish. I have found that most vegetables are great grilled. So, there’s no mess in the kitchen. Also, last year I discovered grilled romaine, which makes for an awesome salad meal when you throw on some grilled chicken, blue cheese crumbles, red onion and a light vineaigrette. Oh, and one last thing…..paper plates!
My summer sanity saver is to get the big kids to help around the house. We dont have them have much during the school year due to school and extra cur activities but in the summer our schedules are much lighter so have them help w cooking and cleaning.
My Summer Saver Sanity Tip= one good BBQ and a patio set with great friends and family!! Now that’s a recipe y’all should be able to wrap your brain around!! Enjoy!! P.S. totally gonna try the pizza …. it sounds yum-alicious!
Hmmmmm there are a lot of ways I try to save my sanity, but even though I can’t do them all the time, I am relatively normal. By my standards anyway.:0)
My favorite food sanity tips and tricks are: grilling a bunch of chicken breasts and veggies, making whole wheat pasta, quinoa, brown rice, etc at the beginning of the week and prepping as many veggies and fruits as possible. I also make a big batch of hummus. That way when we come home, we can have a great pasta or quinoa salad, homemade pizza, green salad, panini or wrap ready within 15 minutes of walking in the door.
My hubby and I both work full-time outside the home and anything we can do to make life simpler, healthier, and less stressful, we do. Have a great day all!
My summer sanity is making as few plans as possible so we can just relax and do things as they come up. Lots of pool and beach days are mixed in there too!!!:)
My summer sanity saver? I would have to say my alone time with God. It’s when I come in my special room in the evening and close the door to the days problems. I turn on my relaxing DVD of cars going over a bridge at night with the natural sounds of crickets and water splashing from the bay. I open my window to enjoy the smell of fresh air, turn off the lights and sit in this atmosphere that has become our space. We talk as if he is sitting right next to me and other times to simply Be Still in his presence is so refreshing. It’s our special meeting place that I truly enjoy, I turn inward from the days events and he meets me there.
I love cauliflower as a substitute for mashed potatoes, so why not a pizza crust! I think I will try it with buffalo chicken instead though. Not sure I am brave enough for the veggie chocolate ice cream. Lysa, I love your posts and emails they are an inspiration. Just finishing up the Made To Crave Bible study too.
Great recipe! Actually just ran across the same thing in a new book, Trim Healthy Mama. I’m devouring this book right now and trying to change my eating. Just praying my family will go along with it too!!!
My summer sanity saver is to get house work done in the morning hours so we can enjoy the pond we put in in the afternoon! I love it when my hubby comes in from working and says “Go outside, swim and play in the water! That’s what we dug a pond for!” We enjoy having friends over to use what God has blessed is with. And if the work is done first, I enjoy the play time even better!
Great tips everyone! I have to agree that grilling a lot in the summer is a must-it is quick, easy and you don’t have to worry about heating up the house!
Egg carton sicles!!! Crazy right!! My kids love those pickle pops you get at the ballfield….you know….the ones they make with the juice AFTER they make a gazillion dollars on the actual pickles!!?? They were always filling up my big storage bowls and hacking at the “popsicle” throughout the day. Frustration for them and a mess and smelly freezer for me! So….props to a super amazing and dashingly handsome hubby…pour the juice in a clean plastic egg carton! Perfect bite size popsicles for the kiddos! Easy to grab and fun for little hands! You can also use lemonade, juice, or crystal light!!
I like to marinate chicken in Italian dressing and grill it for dinner, making enough for leftovers and then I chunk up the leftover to go into a pasta salad for another night of dinner.
My sanity saver is to put family first and not over plan but to rest, relax, and enjoy!
My Summer (and Fall, Winter, Spring!) Sanity Saver is to come home from the grocery store and immediately prep all my fresh fruits and vegetables for consumption. If I put them right into the refrigerator as is, that’s how they stay until I clean out the fridge on garbage day! Wasteful, costly, and…guess what I’m eating instead? The easy-to-grab-junk! I chop all my fresh fruit and make a wonderful fruit salad, which I keep in clear containers in the fridge (better to notice it when I’m “browsing”). I take one container to work and keep one home. I then prep my salad ingredients…washed lettuce in the spinner then into the fridge, cucumbers chopped and in a container, Spring Mix, Mann’s Rainbow Salad (one of the best inventions ever, if you haven’t discovered it!) ready to go. When it comes time to make my salad…it’s under a minute prep time just taking hands full from each container.
My summer sanity saver is to go for an early morning walk when the temperature is still cool and breathe in the beauty of God’s creation. Sets the tone for the rest of the hot day.
Thank you for the recipes and the Summer Sanity topic in general! The recipes sound so delicious and I hope to try them this weekend!
The first Summer Sanity tip that comes to mind is to “buy stock” in sunscreen. We go through it so fast! So, I usually have a bag for all activities…pool/beach, summer camp, suitcase for Nana’s house, etc. I have 1 bottle of sunscreen in each bag and extras in the house and car so that I can replace immediately. It gives me one less thing to worry about everyday. This year, I plan to do the same with the suncreen sticks (cannot remember the formal name) because those are great to keep in your purse for easily touching up little faces (and big faces). 🙂
Sounds fabulous! As a new, full-time working mom, I need some time saving tips!
Our summer sanity saver is.anything free…bowling, summer movies, local parks, and libraries. Vacation bible school also helps!
One of our sanity Summer Savers is the drive in. Packing our favorite goodies and watching movies under the stars. What a Blessing!!
Mmmmmm, those recipes look yummy! Just may have to give them a try.
My sanity saver is to sign the boys up for as many Day Camps as possible. Our Extension office always has such great camps lined up for the kids and my boys love them. It keeps them busy and helps keep some sort of routine going.
My summer sanity saver is to have fewer commitments this summer – no swim practice every day and meets every weekend like we’ve had in the past! To have time we can all be home together (I have 3 girls), and do spontaneous activities that we can’t do during the school year.
My Summer Sanity is lots of time by the pool and making memories with my kiddos. They are older now so anytime we get to be together is a good memory. Not sure about those recipes but probably need to give them a try.
My summer sanity saver is so simple I hesitate in sharing…but then I remwbered…thats the point! My whole family loves frozen grapes! I will buy a of them when they are really cheap and ripe. Immediately take them off the vine and wash them and put them in baggies and throw them in the freezer.
My best summer sanity saver is a smoothie. When I’m gonna be on the road and don’t want to stop at a fast food restaurant, I throw a smoothie in a thermos with some ice and drink it on the go. My new favorite is this: 2 c frozen blueberries, 1 frozen banana, 1/2 c almond milk, 1/2 cup pomegranate or red currant juice, 2 TBSP cocoa powder and 2 medjool dates (or 3 of a smaller variety–make sure you take the pit out)…This recipe is delicious!
oh and obviously: blend all those ingredients in a blender til smooth.
Summer means lots of yard sales where I can find lots of used items for my family’s needs! I have found so many great and cheap clothes & shoes for my boys! Thanks for sharing Lysa, maybe ill give the healthy pizza a try!
My sanity summer saver tip is CAMPING! We try to camp out as much as possible in the summer, great memories for my girls.
Btw, loving those recipes.
I had Gastric Bypass 4 months ago. As of today I am down 65 lbs, with just 10 lbs to meet my nutritionists goal. Any more after that is a bonus! I feel great!
I am always looking for new food choices that will be even better for me than the traditional options. I need to get as much protein as I can each day, so if I could still eat a piece of pizza and get both my veggies & protein at the same time that would be awesome!
We are a softball family! With two of my children playing travel ball on the weekends and my husband playing softball with the church league on weeknights, visiting the concession stand can be expensive. I have gotten my family involved in helping to pack a cooler and “picnic basket” before every game or tournament. For the one child that doesn’t play softball, this helps her feel a part of the family and gives her something to look forward to. We save money and get some quality family time! The kids really enjoy coming up with new ideas for our “picnics” as the ball park. And oddly enough, they’ve begun helping me find “sales” on the items we frequently pack, like sports drinks and bottled water!
We pick out skills to learn each month & go for it, mistakes & all. Sometimes a cooking technique, sometimes a new flip style into the pool… I’m the facilitator, but the kids are the active ingredients.
My family spends a lot of time at the ball park in the summer time.
My summer sanity saver is to take a moment to sit still outside on my deck (when it’s not blazing hot) and enjoy the weather and the beautiful nature aspects that our wonderful God made.
Our summer sanity saver is our 4 foot collapsible pool. When all the neighbors are making payments on their inground pool, handing out ice pops to all the neighborhood kids, and cleaning their pool, we are enjoying a swim in the backyard. When no one is in the pool we take the ladder out for safety and at the end of the season we take the pool down till next year! Best $400 ever spent 😉
SO looking forward to ‘Summer Sanity’! I can use some pointers & encouragement- some way to stay sane this summer!
Love your blogs, Lysa, and enjoy your humor and human outlook on things.
Blessings as you continue to (in)courage us!
Sounds yummy! I’m going to see how many Weight Watchers points this all would be!
My summer sanity saver is to prepare the kids lunches and camp backpacks the night before. That way we can sleep in a little and pretend like we’ve got the summer off (it take a lot of imagination to pretend we’re off for the summer, but at least we can try….) Thanks for all your great tips. As much of a veggie lover that I am, I’m going to have to skip the cauliflower crust. It just defies the nature of pizza!! ; )
It’s so hard to have a meal together as a family, but when we have “dinner on the deck”, everyone is sure to join in. Workouts, video games, TV and cell phones all play second fiddle to dining al fresco for both my teenage sons and my seminarian husband. I serve (and grill) outside as much as possible in warm weather. Less clean up and family around the table together, what’s not to like?!
My summer sanity saver is my 300.00 “red-neck”(no offense to anyone) blue temporary pool. Best 300.00 My husband and I ever spent…that and water balloons!!!!!!!
we love going to state park during the summer, camp out for $10 a night, fishing, grilling. wonderful memories made.
Summer Sanity Saver–homemade popsicles filled with naturally sweetened teas or pureed melons with added fruit means an easy cold snack for the kids to enjoy on a hot carolina porch! They are all access all day long since i can control how sweetened they are!
My summer sanity saver is the water park that we have. It is just a little area with streams of water coming out of the ground and from the top. The kids run around and play all day and I sit under a tree and read and relax.
My summer sanity is to play tennis with my teenagers. It doesn’t matter how good (or bad) we are because we have a great time together, getting exercise and enjoying the beautiful weather.
The pizza sounds yummy, I would love to try that! Not as sure about the ice cream. 😉 My summer sanity saver is our grill and garden. We love to put fresh veggies in foil packets w/ olive oil and lemon pepper seasoning. Haven’t found a veggie yet that doesn’t work for!
We have 8 children. That’s a whole lotta “I’m bored” whining coming at me. So to save my sanity (well, it helped, anyway!) we made an activity book. I got a red binder and we filled it with all kinds of creative ideas. We took time to sit and look through magazines, such as Family Fun, and my kids would cut out the things that looked fun or interesting to them. We put them in categories, such as “Outside games”, Rainy Days”, activities needing “Mom’s help”, activities to do “By Myself”. The kids also remembered their favorite games or simple activities, such as making a fort or drawing pictures, and they wrote directions and illustrated their ideas on paper. Voila! A bountiful supply of special activities, custom made for my kids! Whenever someone would come across another great idea, it was added to the book. Then, when that dreaded statement “I’m bored!” resounded, I simply reminded them of “The Red Book” and they were off to entertain themselves!
Now let me assure you, this Red Book started out nice, and neat, and pretty – but through time it became messy, and unorganized, and dirty. But it was well-loved and well-used. And it helped get us through many endless summer days – with my sanity somewhat intact.
Honestly, I’m not the mom that needs my sanity saved in summer! I love my 3 kids being at home and look forward to the breaks from school to have them around. I love my house filled with laughter, praise singing and even the arguing that ends up benefiting myself due to consequences that include cleaning the house;) lol!
I love “summer structure” as I like to call it. I guess that’s why I look forward to summer instead of dreading it, we keep our days filled with activities and service to others. My plan this summer is to help my children see the Blessing that comes when we have a Servants’ heart by doing small service projects for unbelieving neighbors:)
My summer sanity saver was purchased last year….a pool! It was worth every cent! Not only did it give us something to do in the heat outdoors, it also brought family and friends to our home more often 🙂 Another family favorite for summer is camping. It gets us outdoors and away from home; even if it is just the campground 5 miles away!
My summer sanity saver is the public library. We take a break from the summer sun and enter a place where the possibilities are endless. My boys play educational games while my daughter puts on a puppet show. I get a piece of mind browsing through books. No worries about what’s for dinner there are plenty of recipe books! But the fun doesn’t stop when we leave. We each take a little piece of the library home with us in the books we check out. The library is a safe place for the whole family to enjoy. And like salvation It’s Free!
Lysa,
Love the tips! We spend a lot of time in the pool during the summer and movies in the evenings. Last summer we made home-made ice cream for the first time. It was so much fun and a huge hit! We would come up with different recipes and everyone would try them.
A healthy recipe for you…it’s a weight watcher recipe. Chocolate muffins.
1 box of chocolate cake mix
1 small can of pumpkin
1 cup of hot water
Mix the three together. Pour in muffin pan. Bake at 350. 12 minutes for mini-muffins and 15 minutes for regular size. They are super moist and yummy!!! Enjoy!
Summer sanity for my house is a bottle of bubbles. Color them with food coloring, or use cookie cutters, hand made bubble wands, or noodles (anything with a hole) to blow bubbles, dump them out and slide on them, use them to wash the car, the deck, each other. You can even make your own with common household items. For older kids, ask them why bubbles are always round and let them research the answer.
My summer sanity saver for my grandkids would be water balloons!!! And then a brown cow or purple cow afterwards. (That’s an ice cream float with root beer or grape soda. YUM!!)
oh my goodness sounds yummy
This is a MUST-do sanity saver… MEDIA BLACKOUT for a day (or a week, or one day a week, or the weekend… whatever the need)!!! Everyone must turn off all electronics… No TV, no computer, no video games, no phones, no radio, etc! In other words, a FAST from the world of distractions and diversions that steal our peace and quiet, that keep us from the inner life of thought and prayer and abiding with God!!!
We used to do this regularly when our kids were growing up… They did it kicking and screaming, but then would end up enjoying actual conversations, games, cards, naps, crafts, outside play–all kinds of things they would not do if they had all the other media. In use!
Try it… You’ll love it, too (adults must also do it!), and you will see such a different attitude in everyone, and a completely different atmosphere in your home!!! And it can become a good habit to instill in all of us!
Blessings for a sane summer… A saner life all year! 🙂
Chris
My summer sanity saver is the Slip n Slide, greased with a little bit of baby oil! Kids love it and are entertained for hours on end! Get out the lawn chairs, enjoy the outdoors and have the camera ready. 🙂
My Summer Sanity is having easy meal fixes on hand like-frozen chicken strips (or take chicken and cut up and freeze yourself) then add already cut up colorful peppers and mushrooms with low fat balsamic dressing for a quick meal, before going off to play in the sun with your family!
Summer sanity tip for us is the barbecue. I hate to cook and my husband doesn’t mind barbecuing. Lucky break for me, now I won’t have to try that “healthy” stuff you posted today.
Summer Sanity Saver: Fresh fruits and veggies overflowing the fridge! Everyone eats healthy and advance prep makes more time for mom to join in the fun! We grow as much as we can – and much is eaten off the vine!
Scrumptious Summer Sanity Saver: a healthy smoothie that tastes a lot like a pena colada!
1 cup mango chunks (frozen)
½ cup pineapple chunks (frozen)
1 ½ cups almond/coconut milk
2 T coconut oil or fresh coconut
Stevia to taste
Blend until smooth. This is yummy!!! It is one of the recipes on CLEAN program. I’m now addicted to this tropical cooler! Enjoy.
Can’t wait to try the ice cream recipe, thanks! My summer sanity saver is our own backyard. My kids and I eat breakfast and lunch outside most days and enjoy homeschool lessons spread out on a blanket in the grass. Our back patio is completely shaded by late afternoon, so even on pretty warm days, we can still dine al fresco. Everything tastes yummier outside! And even better, I spend considerably less time stuck inside cleaning up my kitchen….especially if I grill most of our dinner. We often top off our meals with a jump on the trampoline, a run through the sprinkler, or a game of washers. Enjoying the great outdoors is key for us in the summer (and super-affordable)!
My crock pot and my grill are my favorite summer tools and time sanity savers! I don’t have to do a lot of prep work and we can can eat whenever our schedule allows! We like to eat a lot of fresh local produce as well to cut down on heating the kitchen up. I truly enjoy your blog. There are days that God gives me exactly what I need to hear from you. I need to read Unglued. I have had so many unglued moments lately. I don’t know that I could mentally survive another day of this week. Thank you Jesus that it’s Friday!
DIY bubbles are always an inexpensive way to have fun. You mix dawn dish detergent, water, and light corn syrup. Pinterest has many DIY projects like bubbles, paint, sidewalk chalk, play dough. Fun to get the kids involved and it saves money!
My sanity saver is having my kids do extra chores to earn “electronic time”. This way the chores get done (and Mom isn’t left with all of the extras) and the kids are motivated to work so they can earn some electronic time. I have one child who would spend his entire summer doing nothing but video games, computer, Wii if I’d let him. This is a good way to end the constant arguing about whether the kids can use those items because they know chores have to be done before I will say yes.
My summer sanity savers are home made fruit smoothies on hot days for the kids, preparing bags or containers of fresh cut veggies at the beginning of the week for healthy snacks, tons of salads, healthy versions of tuna and chicken salad, lots of pool time in my parent’s pool and laying in the hammock under the stars or on a lazy afternoon looking at cloud shapes, bike rides and long walks in the evening. Looking forward to summer! 🙂
Porch time – coffee and quiet time on the porch early in the morning as the sun is rising, dinner or dessert outside, games outside, reading outside – just move as much as possible outdoors.
My summer sanity saver is having my baby sitter at my house. My 3 boys function better at home & routine is easier to establish!
My sanity saver has been to allow my kids to give up softball and baseball if they’d rather have some lazy summer days. Not that summer on the farm can ever be called lazy days, but without ball schedules they actually have some time for unscheduled summer fun and lots of exploring, creating, swimming and playing. They have chores and we all pitch in and help each other but there used to be no free time in our days with ball schedules figured in.
My summer saver as the only parent is sun and pool. Find a honey hole of water, pack the snacks and grab my son and his friends and swim swim swim. On those hot summer days when all the popsicles have been eaten and they are too hot (in a whiney voice) to ride bikes outside off we go to the pool or a lake. The body movement they get while cooling down in the pool also resets their mind. If you cant find a body of water throw the sprinkler out and make fun games out of it. By the time the sun sets there are tired bodies filled with laughter and played out games. Memories and a tired child falling into bed. Happy hearts make happy mommies.
Summer Sanity…preparing easy meals, eating out on the deck and watching the sun go down.
The pizza sounds great and I can hardly wait for the webcast to get more, great, sanity saving ideas!
Summer sanity saver here at our house are involving my son in things that hold his attention and are still “playing”. Making homemade bubbles, going to the yard on a discovery mission, planting plants he chooses and helping him help them grow. And of course with a chef mommy cooking up anything and everything to take outside to munch and relax with!
THANK YOU FOR THOSE RECIPES!!!!! I’ve been sugar, flour, wheat free for three months now and these are life savers!!! Will be fun to try it out!!! My sanity saver is ordering a portion of a grassfed beef for the freezer! For the next several months, I will have grillable favorites at my fingertips for WAY LESS than going to the grocery store for lean beef. And you know that less trips to the grocery store means saved time and saved money!
Summer Sanity Saver: Keep the kids busy so we don’t have sibling rivalry and boredom. We do camps, VBS, visits to grandparents, free Summer movies, local activities or dips in the pool. But, screen time has to be limited or they would waste their Summer doing that!
My Summer Sanity Saver is a chore list! When my kids are out of school, they need some structure and a chore list gives them that. I get a clean house, my kids get summer spending money, I get a clean house. 🙂 Because when mama comes home from work to a clean house, mama is hap-hap-happy!! And when mama’s happy…you know the rest. 🙂
Easy summer fun – as a child we always played in the sprinkler… my grandkids don’t have the luxury of a yard, so when they come down, we’ll pull out the old-fashioned summer cooler and have a great time!
What great recipes! I’m so excited about trying them out! 🙂
My summer sanity saver is frozen miniature snickers for a sweet treat! Though, since now I’m on Atkins and trying to eliminate carbs in the form of sugar and bread, that won’t work for me anymore. So instead, my sweet treat will be frozen melon balls! 🙂 Just scoop them out in the shape of a ball, lay them on parchment paper on a pan and freeze. Once frozen, gather them together and put them in a freezer safe container and enjoy a treat from the freezer on a hot summer day! 🙂
We got a pop up pool last year. It was great! I also ended up babysitting some of my friends’ kids occasionally… gave us some extra money, plus extra playmates for the kids! This year I’m also going to try having somewhat of a daily routine but also maintain some flexibility… daily chore times, craft times and outdoor times. I’m hoping it will limit the tv time and the “I’m bored” whining somewhat. Maybe I can organize the chaos a little bit. 😉
I don’t like heating my house up with the oven in the summer, so I’ve converted some of my favorites to skillet dishes, like my Chicken Casserole. I even punched up the healthiness by adding veggies. SKILLET LEMON CHICKEN CASSEROLE: 2c. Small diced veggies (whatever you want, like onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, mushrooms, bell pepper). Saute veggies in EVOO until tender. Add 1 clove crushed garlic and saute 1 minute longer. Add 12 oz. Shredded chicken breast (leftovers, rotisserie, ocanned which is what I usually use-drained). Add 2-14 oz. Cans reduced sodium chicken broth & 1/4c. Lemon juice and bring to a boil. Stir in 1-1/3c. Long grain rice. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes. Stir in 2c. 2% reduced-fat cheddar cheese just before serving (Optional). If you like stuffed peppers here’s my UNSTUFFED PEPPERS SKILLET. Saute in EVOO until tender: chopped bell pepper (I like red) 1/4-1/2c chopped onion, & 1-1/2c. chopped veggies such as carrots, celery, mushrooms, green beans…even add in some corn). add 1-2 cloves crushed garlic saute another minute. Add lowfat ground meat-turkey breast or 96/4 ground beef (Trader Joes). Drain excess fat. Add your choice of sauce: 2-8 oz. Cans tomato sauce + 1 can water OR 1 jar meat-flavored Ragu pasta sauce. add 1-3t. Worcestershire sauce (to taste). Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 10 minutes to meld flavors. Add 3c. Cooked rice (I use 1 bag from a 3-bag box of the frozen rice from Trader Joes, either Jasmine or brown rice, microwaved according to package directions). Stir together. Serve immediately topped with 1-2c. 2% reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese (optional). I hope you enjoy!
Make-ahead meals! A friend is hosting a meal prep party. When we’re done, we’ll have 12 meals in the freezer! I’ll use a couple each week for a break from nightly dinner meal-prep!
I am definitely going to try these recipes. Yum!! My husband has given me permission to “sneak” healthy stuff by him so I will have to do just that with this recipe. He won’t eat it if I tell him there’s cauliflower in it. 🙂 I’ll tell him after he says he loves it! My summer sanity saving tip is to enjoy my coffee and quiet time on my enclosed front porch in the warmer weather (way to cold in Wisconsin to do it now). It completely relaxes me just being out there early in the morning watching the world wake up and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation all around me.
This summer will be our first swim lessons for our kids since our littlest one is old enough now! And we live in Montana so camping and rodeos are always a summer must!
The recipes sound good! My sanity saver is just having a lazy few “staycation” days where I don’t have to do anything in particular at any certain time. It’s good to just have that free time to accomplish whatever I want to (and absolutely nothing if I so choose) 🙂
Due to some health issues I have just started (last Wed) a healthy eating plan that cuts out gluten,sugar & dairy. So far so good, but only one week in it is already a challenge to find what else I can eat! Thanks for posting those recipes! They are speaking to my taste buds & I will be trying them for sure! I have been looking at a Bendtec blender on Amazon this past week, but don’t have quite enough to get it. Will keep saving, but a gift card there would be wonderful!
Thanks for the recipes Lisa & please post more!!
My summer sanity saver is the pool and the lake. I work where it’s not air conditioned and on those really hot days I can hear the pool calling me when I get off work. We also love to go to the lake. My easy summer meal is teriyaki chicken on a nice salad with mandarin oranges and poppyseed dressing. Good stuff!
Oh, and my summer sanity saver tip…freeze fresh fruits cut up in a single layer in a ziplock bag for a quick & healthy refreshing smoothie!
Summer Sanity Savers:
Planning ahead. Weeding out short shorts and finding flip flops before summer camp arrives. Formulating a healthy meal plan for packed lunches so we don’t get caught with last minute convenient unhealthy alternatives. Scheduling a few long weekends so I can enjoy the summer with my family. We have been doing “staycations” the last couple of years. Instead of one long week or ten days, several long weekends feels like a greater break from the routine. During the already stressful last weeks of school I kind of ramp it up by adding extra pressure to be “ready” for summer then I can really kick back and say “aaahhhhh.”
I use the crock-pot and try lots of fun sandwiches for summertime dinners!
My sanity saver is to have a few small chores for the kids to do in the morning and afternoon to add a little structure to our mostly structure free summer days! We also spend a lot of time outside!
Our summer sanity saver is our pool! A must for those hot summer days to wear out those kiddos with bunches of energy! We have recently made a fire pit and I think we will spend many nights hanging out and making memories! Another is our garden. Love having fresh produce!
My Summer Sanity Saver tips are co-op or trade a day or two a week with a friend for a day without kids. I used to do this when I had a toddler/preschooler, but now with older kids it’s fun too. I have fun with the kids, not just kid-stting, but exploring (geo caching is SOOO MUCH FUN! – google it). Then they do something with the other mom. Camps in my area have gone OUTRAGEOUSLY insane with cost per week, but with some thought we have had two incredible summers at Camp Mom! I also make a calendar like NOW – print cute ones on hellocuteness.com > freebies – let the kids make a list then make a plan a few days a week and relax the rest!
Yard sales save money AND provide entertainment. And we make a lot of chicken salads – make your yummy salad – meanwhile, bake some frozen french fries. Using a rotisserie chicken, cut some bite sized pieces. Assembly: Salad in an ovenproof pan, the cooked french fries and chicken on top, cover everything with shredded cheese and broil VERY briefly just until the cheese is melted. Add dressing of choice. One dish complete meal!
One Summer Sanity Saver that I am implementing for this Summer is an “I’m Bored” jar or box. Every time I hear “I’m bored” I will direct my kids to said jar or box and inside they will find lots of slips of papers with ideas of things to do and they are required to do whatever is on the slip of paper!
One of my favorite things about summer is yard sales! It is a bonding time for my mom, my sister, my niece, and me. We enjoy almost every beautiful Saturday morning of the yard sale season together. It also gives us our “shopping” fix and saves a ton of money. You never know what sort of original and interesting things you will find that you can’t
live without!
My Summer Sanity Saver is beach days. We are blessed to live right by Honeymoon Island, Tampa Bay Area. We pack our beach chairs, hats, sunscreen, towels, and a good book. Between swimming, reading, and listening to the waves, it is my own Eden 🙂
Field Trips! Take a day off of work and take your kids somewhere fun! Waterpark, zoo, etc. And my boys love smoothies! Always have to have frozen fruit on hand to whip some up! Can’t wait to try the pizza!! 🙂
Some of my summer sanity tips is scheduling reading time, outside play time, craft time, park playdates, pool time, etc… I’m not rigid with our schedule but it helps if the children sort of know what to expect each week. I also like to have a jar with different activities written on slips of paper (ice cream parlor, have a sleepover, etc) and we draw one slip each week for an extra special activity.
Attitude is everything, so my Summer Sanity Saver tip is to Accept, Agree, Admire and Amuse, and you’ll have an A+++ Summer! ACCEPT the heat, mosquitoes, whatever! It is what it is, and most times out of our control. AGREE to disagree…most times that’s the easiest thing to do. ADMIRE God’s creation…take time to thank him for the beauty that summer brings. And AMUSE yourself with fun! I can’t wait to start my A+++ Summer! 🙂
My favorite summer sanity saver is camping with my family. There is nothing that compares to sitting around the campfire with my husband and kids and just relaxing and laughing. Love it!
My Summer Sanity Saver is exercise! I am a stay at home mom and my husband works long hours. My daughter and i take long walks, go to the park, and go on bike rides. I love the beautiful bouquets of flowers (weeds) she makes me along the way. 🙂
Unfortunately, the reason I have already signed up for reminders about the webcast is because I have no summer sanity saving tips 🙁 Unless you count Grandma (my mom)! 🙂
These recipes sounds delicious and easy for the summer months. I have read your book, Made to Crave, 3 times. The first time was so enlightening about why we are meant to crave God. The following 2 times of reading the book, I needed some reassurance and more intense reading of what God was calling me to do about obedience in my food issues. So, could you include calories and nutrition information for these recipes? Thanks.
I’m a grandmother of 12. This tip is for other “grannies” to provide summer sanity to daughters and daughters-in-love. I have Granny Camp during the summer for 5 days at a time to provide a fun, get-away for my grandchildren. I break it up into two or three groups and run it multiple times for my sanity! It’s something we all look forward to that is building precious memories.
stay inside and READ! Occassionally I venture out to my cedar glider on my backporch to read! works for me:) By the way, my babies are 32, 30, and 22!
We live 8 miles out in the country and running to the store for things on a whim is just not an option! I shop for groceries only 2 times a month and have since my children were little. It takes some planning, but it is worth it! My Summer Sanity tip is to cook up things like hamburger and sausage and put in bulk containers so that when you need to fix a quick meal or you don’t want to heat up the house cooking for a long period of time, just go to the freezer and dip out the precooked and frozen meat that is needed for your recipe. You save time, energy and believe me, it is soooooo much more convenient!
My summer sanity saver is my screen porch. Not only is it my favorite place to talk to God and have my quiet time. I also love to go out when the kids are hitting or throwing baseballs and hook my phone up to my speakers and blare our favorite tunes! Before long, everybody is in a great mood and singing along!!! Bring on summer!!!!
A big one for me is to relax around a big camp fire. Just looking at the flames rising can put you into a trance. So soothing.
OOooo, weeeeeee . . . I got me a mess of avocados that are about to become ICE CREAM!!! My favorite summer sanity saver has to do with doors. Grand kids love to SLAAAAAMMMMM doors going in and out of the house. So, our decorative wood door is removed with a “bumper dot friendly” aluminum wood core door. The back slide glass door is left open with one of those break away funny screens with magnetic closures. Saves my sanity!! Hope is saves yours!!!! Hugs and blessings, Allison in North Texas
We love lounging on our old boat down on the Mississippi river. It’s like stepping out of the city into an amazing wilderness! Makes me feel like Mark Twain!
Thanks for the different recipe. At Work this morning we were talking about putting healthier meals on the menu and this one looks yummy. I need to start eating healthier and I am stuck with unhealthy recipes. I am going to try this one. Last night at work they cooked a turkey patty melt and it look yummy also.
Just finished making organized chore charts for all the children to help out with the small things that they are capable of handling. The older ones teach the younger ones how to do those small jobs well. That leaves me with more time to focus on meals, and the bigger projects!
My Summer Sanity Saver is my grill. I am learning how to grill to perfection. We are a meat n taters family not so wild about the veggies. I am always looking for some new ways to cook veggies on the grill with very little prep!
Two words- afternoon naps:)
After 10 years of living in Phoenix, I have found the secret to Summer Sanity!! It’s all about staying cool/indoors when it’s 110 outside! I cozy up with a huge stack of books and a pile of quilting & craft projects. A Cool Mama is a Happy Mama. And if the Mom is happy- Everyone is happy. 😀
I try to make sure I have chore charts. Try to arrange play dates or get together’s, But most importantly lots of water guns, slipping slide, and water balloons to keep the boys busy!
Our good ‘ol slip ‘n slide is a huge fave!!! 🙂
I make sure I have plenty of Healthy Fudge on hand! Makes everyone happy. 🙂
summer camps-VBS- and air conditioning!
My summer sanity savings tip.. plant an edible garden feast! Whether it is in a porch pot, a raised bed, a small patch of lawn, or the landscaping areas around your home… grow your own veggies, fruits, and healthy meals for so much less and to support good health. Tending to something that grows and produces fruit is an amazing and peaceful time to connect with God and meditate on our own personal growth and spiritual investments 🙂
John 15: 1,5 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener..”; 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
We escape to a nearby beach after dinner – it’s just a small lake front community beach, but something about watching the sunset over the water just makes my heart calmer & give the feeling of a little mini-vacation.
I so can’t wait to try these recipes. I am always looking for something new & healthy to try. My biggest tip for summer survival is to stay on a schedule just like you would the rest of the year. I babysit out of my home so even though my kids are out of school I absolutely have to maintain some sort of schedule. I still make the kids get up early (not quite as early as a school day) & I do make them do some chores to help me out. I also plan some fun activities & outdoor fun to keep them busy. A couple more tips I could give that you really can do all year round is first, plan a menu for the week before you go to the grocery. I will plan a week’s menu & then I just have to pick which meal I want to make on any particular night. That saves a lot of that “oh what am I going to fix for dinner” dilema. The other tip is in regards to cleaning. I divided everthing that needs to be cleaned & divided it up in days. That way I am just doing a little each day instead of spending hours cleaning. Now, I will spot clean if needed but this just making keeping your home clean so much easier. For instance, on Mondays I dust & sweep, Tuesday’s I mop all mopable floors, Wednesday’s I clean the bathrooms…..etc. Hope my few tips will be of some help to someone.
Weekends at the lake help bring our sanity back!!!
Here is a tip we use with our three children each summer, and it’s completely FREE !
Take your kids to the library before the end of school and let them each check out a couple of books to read (longer chapter books if they’re older). Then beginning the first day of summer break, each morning begins with all of you reading for 45 minutes. This bonds the family together, keeps the kids focussed and calm first thing in the morning, and helps to sharpen their reading skills over the summer. Make sure they get books they have an interest in! It WORKS!
Ooh, this is great! We often read before bed, which has a calming effect, but some nights it gets away from us because of other summer activities. I am going to file this away for summer. Only 8 more weeks – yeah!!
Swimming lessons, library summer reading program, lemonade stand and finding fruit to pick! And last, but certainly not least (!) a few more chores on top of the regular chores to get some money for yard sales:)
May sound crazy, but my summer sanity saver is simply down time. Since we have an only child, I’ve always felt like he needed to be in camp week after week which always puts me on the go to make ride arrangements, clothes, snacks, etc, etc, etc. As he’s gotten older, there are two or three camps he wants to do, but other than that and a week visit from a cousin, he simply wants a slow, laid back, summer – maybe the pool, maybe some bowling, maybe a few day trips, but mostly just time void of a stricter schedule and something always on the calendar.
My summer sanity saver is to simply take time to enjoy. My husband is a pastor and our summers are often very hectic. I have two small kids and I’m learning that it is important to let some other things go or sometimes to have to say, “no I can’t commit right now.” Sumer Santy Saver……take time to enjoy your kids, enoy the weather, enjoy time to read your bible.
I like to have lemonade and healthy snacks in easy reach for the kids all summer long. For example, I make up lemonade and strawberry slush punch and wash fruit and veggies so the kids can help themselves to a refreshing snack after playing in the hot summer sun. I prepare it at the beginning if the week and the kids can just come in and grab it. I don’t have to go into the kitchen every few minutes because someone wants a snack:)
I use chore charts for the kids and chores must be done before we play. My children enjoy getting up early and riding horses. It is peaceful and calm time.
We plan to have “structured” lounging and easy going days. Structured in that I want a list of free and fun things to choose from and easy going in that we don’t have to rush somewhere or when we get somewhere we don’t have to rush while we are there. There is too much busyness in our lives and it just needs to s l o w d o w n!!!
Unfortuately I do suffer from “Summer Insanity” so I loved reading these tips. My kids routine has been to stay up really late and sleep in the following day. I don’t mind because if they are asleep it keeps them from fighting with each during the day while Im at work. One of the things we do in the evenings is go to the neighborhood pool when I get home from work and stay until dark around 830 or so. Come home and make oven sandwiches (grilled cheese, mix it up sometimes and will add pre-cooked bacon, tuna etc.) this way you can make all sandwiches at the same time. Cut up tomato & cucumber add a little italian dressing and that is dinner at least twice a week.. also use the crock pot to help out with meals.
My summer sanity saver is keeping the 31 bag in the back of my car stocked with rain gear, first aid supplies, sunscreen and of course healthy snacks and drinks so we aren’t tempted to eat the vendor food at all the baseball games the kids play.
Our middle daughter hits up the farmers market on Tuesday afternoons keeping us stocked up with fresh local produce, keeping the propane tanks filled for the barbecue and ending the day watching the sunset at the beach after dinner.
How exciting – i love new recipies and especially ones that I can hide veggies in and get my boys to eat! i get married next week and we are blending two families together – we will have four boys ages 15, 12, 8 and 5 all under one roof! Our summer is going to be crazy busy with tball and baseball games but full of lots of love a laughter! Can’t wait to start our new life with my sweet sweet man! Blessed!
Grilling on the BBQ! It’s super easy to plan for dinner and my husband does the actual grilling, which he enjoys and gives me a little kitchen break 🙂
RUNNING THROUGH THE SPRINKLER DURING THE DAY . CATCHING AND THEN RELEASING FIREFLYS IN THE EVENING.
Abide, abide and abide some more with the Lord. Make it your first priority every morning and you will be amazed how smoothly the day goes!
Then be flexible and allow God to make changes to your plans each and every day.
An evening around the firepit. No electronics allowed. Sometimes we have our meal there (hot dogs on a stick/veggies wrapped in foil/s’mores), other times we just hang out and talk. It is sooo relaxing! We try to do this 1-2 times per week in the summer.
I really look forward to the summer to recharge before the fall (I am an elementary school teacher :))
Summer sanity tips for me include some down time for sure! I love just planting my 3 tomato plants in barrels on my front porch (watching those little sweeties develop always makes me smile!), sometimes going out and just looking at the stars to find the big and little dippers, and I love to hear the call of bullfrogs…reminds me of childhood. What I REALLY look forward to is time with Jesus—unhurried, just He and I!!! I want to be in the Word more…I want to know my Savior more and more so that when He calls me home, we aren’t strangers. All of this restores my sanity…then, I will be ready for my little ones and they will have a teacher who is ready to go!
Chore charts, kids plan and prepare a meal several times per month, doing a Bible study with my daughter, outings to the lake with the boat, and just much downtime!
I use emeals.com for planning our dinners it saves me money and time at the store
My kids are still little, ages 3 and 4, so fortunately, they still nap. That’s when I start dinner and get most of my housework done. One of my sanity savers is always having fresh fruit cleaned and available and ready to eat, so all they have to do is open the refrigerator and grab their snack.
Weekends camping help bring my sanity! Getting out & enjoying doing things with others
One of the great things about summer that we enjoy is sitting on our deck with the big sweet gum tree for shade while sipping on iced tea. It’s a GREAT place to be early in the morning while watching the sun rise before our day begins, or after a long day of work….. I love listening to all the sounds of nature all around, frogs singing their songs from the pond, birds harmonizing in the trees, june bugs, jar flies, horses and cows joining in on the chorus. A wonderful time/place to sit and do what the scripture says: “be still and know that I am God”.
At the end of May we have each family member write out what he/she want to do during the summer (big or small). Things like sleepovers, mini vacations, pool parties, books to read, etc. are usually included. Then as a family we plan them in the calendar and check them off the lists as we do them. That way the summer doesn’t slip away without all of the fun things happening!
Choosing to walk to watch the sunset and keeping my bedtime on time. It’s harder to do when the sun goes down later, but it makes a big difference in my energy level!
I llive in North Carolina, my grandchildren ages 5 and 3 live in Florida. Since we don’t get to see them on a normal basis my summer sanity saver is to “steal” them for a month in the summer. My husband takes the whole month off of work and we devote every minute to the kids. We become kids ourselves as we ride bikes, fly kites, swim, play board games. And we usually plan an overnight visit to a fun place. Last year it was the zoo in Asheboro. This year it might be the Marble Museum in Raleigh. They grow up so fast and you can’t get that time back. AND the best part: grandchild #3 is on the way.
Just enjoy it & try to help your kids enjoy it! It is summer – the best time of the year! Be a kid with your kids and remember they are only kids for a short time. Say yes as much as you can. Do some planning to make things easier.
I love the warm summer weather so we try to spend lots of time outdoors. We have a lake not far from us and it’s nice to go there and cool off as much as we can. I try to keep a good supply of popsicles in the freezer too. Summer is much more sane when I just enjoy all the things we don’t have time for during the school year, especially spending time together to slow down and relax a little bit.
As a teacher, I love the opportunity to sleep late in the summer, but I know that it saves my sanity when I get up early and get something done first thing. Then I can spontaneously play a game of Mexican train with the kiddo or go to lunch with my sweetie or just sit on the deck swing enjoying the day without feel anxious inside for not being “productive”.
Summer saving tip- it’s ok to let the kids have pb&j for dinner sometimes. Especially when it helps you stay focused and not get overwhelmed w cooking and cleaning. I’m learning to let things slide and look at the big picture. I.e. my husband is in Afghanistan. When the kids get pb&j for dinner, I have more time to play airplane and read to them before bedtime. Win-win.
Choosing to do nothing at least one day out of the week! No Schedule allowed! No work allowed! Spontaneous trips to the library, walk through a garden center and stop and smell the roses! Call a friend and have a play date, kids included! Have a picnic lunch, take a blanket, read books laying on blanket, or just plain watching the clouds. Even as I type I’m anxious for summer to come!
Just being outside as much as possible. Being in my garden and seeing my flowers is the best sanity saver ever.
Lots of fruit and veggies!!!! Keep them out all day long! Join a local farm share!!! Oftentimes they give recipes out with their produce! Community gardening… Mental and physical! Get the kids to help! Grill… From veggies to meat… Easy! Thnx for all ur great tips
Summer survival with our family includes lots of relaxation for all! Lazy Muffin Mornings, fun afternoons, grilling on the patio , and Family Firepit evenings with S’mores ! Hearts full of Thankfulness to our God for His provisions!
Summer is a time that we loose most of our structure, purposely. Our weekly commitment of worship service, AWANA and VBS remains intact.
After school is out we take advantage of our local attractions and go to the Zoo, Dollywood, Splash Country, the library or one of the many parks in our area. We have fun during the week and have downtime on the weekends.
We visit with family more in the summer as we do not live in the vicinity of our families.
The local farmer’s market supplies a lot of our suumer food…healty, organic & yummy. I grill several times each week.
My biggie….leave the stress behind (no heavy cleaning, daily small clean up…)
I do not want my children to be bored or to “feel that everhthing” must be done. As a teacher, parent, active church member & doctorate student I love a carefree summer!
Thank you for the recipes, they look very yummy and easy enough to execute. One of my sanity savers is my crockpot/slow-cooker. I don’t use it very often except for the summer. We have a little trailer in a beautiful Christian camp and I love setting the crockpot and head out for our summer activities and not having to worry about supper. And of course reading my Bible at the beach or any other faith building book is always an indulgence and much needed sanity saver 🙂
This summer, we are giving the kids (ages 13, 12, and 10) a budget and they will come up with their lunch menu, shop for the ingredients (with my help, of course!) and prepare their lunches. The end result should be good. In the beginning? We will see!
A hammock, lots of books and I keep the fridge always stocked with watermelon sliced and ready to eat!
We love to take advantage of all the free parks including water parks in our area as well as a membership to the zoo. The kids help me with a garden to save us money and eat fresh healthy food. We do math a couple times a week (because they always seem to get bored and drive each other and me crazy) and reading almost everyday which helps them retain what they have learned. And we try and make play dates for the kids to have fellowship and me so that I can stay sane! We have also started doing backyard VBS for a week to meet and share the gospel with the children in our neighborhood and my four (15, 12, 8, and 3) children help with decorating, telling the Bible Story, singing the songs and doing the actions as well as the crafts. I love this because we grow closer together and more importantly we grow closer to God as a family and they have hands on experience sharing their faith with others.
Lysa- my summer sanity tip is to visit the local library with your kids- they usually have fun activites all summer long and it is also a place that the kids “have to” be quiet, so you can certainly get some peace there!!!
I’m pretty simple sometimes – just relaxing by the water with a good book, glass of something yummy like strawberry lemonade, and something chocolately for snacking on. I do like to make sure to try to make everything so I know what’s in it and save some $$ hopefully. [=
letting the hubby grill outside helps a bunch!! Also, I try to keep cooked hamburger and chicken in the freezer, that way, I can quickly thaw it in microwave, and put into casserole to save some time! Had snow flurries this morning here in Illinois….come on spring, please come back! 😉
We like to grill up a whole grill full of chicken breast and/or hamburgers, and pack them into freezer bags so that I can just toss together a salad, bring the meat out and microwave it, and dinner’s on the table!
Blessings!
We’re on a budget, so always looking for free or low-cost things to do. Two favorites are our local library, which has special things on certain days of the week as well as wonderful books, DVDs for rainy days, and even toys. Another favorite is the splash pad at our community ball park. We get there as soon as it opens before it’s too crowded and play for about an hour or so. By then, everyone is tired and ready for some quiet time when we get home and when it’s the hottest part of the day, so a good time to be inside. I love reading the replies of others – great ideas!
Morning devotions, daily exercise, fresh fruits and vegetables!
Making sure we get outside. Sometimes I forget that I need a breath of fresh air too. Also, having some quiet time after lunch. The kids can read books, color, or work on puzzles. It gives me a chance to relax too…and I need it keeping up with the needs of 5 kids!
Our family loves camping. Its a get-a-way from the house time! Our Zune is the only electronic thing we have. Just sitting around the camp fire at night listening to tunes and chatting together is just the time we love away from the house!
I live in North Carolina and my grandchildren, ages 5 and 3 live in Florida. Since we don’t get to see them on a regular basis my summer sanity saver is to “steal” them for a month in the summer. My husband takes the whole month off of work and we devote all our time to the kids. We swim, ride bikes, fly kites, play board games and pretty much become kids ourselves for the month. We also try to take them on one overnight trip. Last year it was to the Asheboro Zoo. This year it might be the Marble Museum in Raleigh. They grow up so fast and you can’t get this time back. AND best of all, grandchild #3 is on the way.
I use my covered gas barbecue to cook during the summer. I have made everything in it – meat, vegetables, bread, rolls, pizza and even brownies! This way, I don’t heat up my house during the hot months of summer, yet I can make delicious, satisfying food for my family. Keeping the house cooler definitely improves our sanity in the summer!
My other tips: letting the kids run through the sprinklers or play in the pool -it’s a great (and cheap) way to cool off when it’s hot outside!
And you can’t beat homemade ice cream during the summer! 🙂
Love the recipes though they do sound a little wierd. Wierd can be good though 🙂 Key to summer sanity… finding something new and different to do with your kids. Explore the area right around you. There are fun and cheap things everywhere you turn. Same ol’ same ol’ makes for being bored, fighting, lazy. I have teens so I don’t want that for sure!
Making time to enjoy the beautiful summer sunsets! Even if all I have are a few seconds I let it soak over me and thank God for his beauty and faithfulness. It’s very calming after a super crazy day!
Love it healthy Pizza and Ice Cream God know we all need or veggies what a great way to sneak them in.
I’m trying the pizza recipe this weekend! Interesting ingredients. I can’t wait to try if!
Gardening—-flowers, veggies, foraging in the woods. Heaven on earth peace for me!
Join the community pool! We go just about everyday in the summer.
My favorite summer sanity saver is getting up at the same time even if I don’t have to wake the kids. It keeps me on a routine and gives me time to myself each morning 🙂
Grilled veggies, with a healthy hot dog or burger!! Fresh fruit for desert! Love it!
Sanity saver: Can it really be saved??? LOL I like to give my children something to take ownership of, that will help them learn a new task, help around the house and give them something to be proud of. Weekly, each child gets something new to be in charge of for that time frame (i.e. vacuuming, coupon clipping, etc). Gives them purpose and with everyone working together, time saver!!
Weekends at the lake with good friends and kids are always so fun and relaxing. Helps us getaway from the madness/hectic schedules during the week.
Summer kids movies $1 on Wed. and Summer Library program for kids! Then not to forget Sonic Drinks half price during happy hour. They love slushies!
I love summer and our summer sanity saver is just having a slower pace, stress free meals, and lots of swimming and hanging out together. Don’t forget movie nights and fireworks = cheap entertainment! 🙂 Thanks Lysa…it is always such a blessing to me to read your blog and Proverbs 31 ministries. Looking forward to Tuesday night!
A sanity saving quick and easy treat – Pineapple Whip
1 large fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1″ chunks
Freeze the chunks overnight
Put chunks into food processor or blender
Puree
Serve immediately, with a sprig of mint for garnish (you can even add fresh mint in with the chunks before blending – but don’t overpower the pineapple).
Popsicles in the backyard! Kids love eating outside and less cleanup inside!!!!
My husband and I plop our lawn chairs right in the middle of the creek and spend summer evenings together in the calm quiet away from the rush of everyday life.
That pizza crust is sooooo good!
Taking my 3 1/2 year old to the local farmers market. They have everything there and he learns that our food comes from what God gave us from the ground or trees. He loves it and learns so much. It also encourages him to eat all the good, healthy food. He has a great time and we save more than half price on organic fruits and veggies.:)
I love when the pressure of hours of homework are done for the year and I can sit down at night with the kids,windows open, crickets singing, breeze blowing and read them one of there favorite books. We read a chapter a night!
Taking a boat ride at sunset, or just sitting and watching the lake restores my sanity!
This may sound crazy but I absolutely love the summer because I love to can and preserve food I grow in my garden. There is nothing more rewarding, calming, and fun than making a batch of my homemade pickles to save for enjoying during the winter months. <3
This pizza sounds great and is something that fits in with my eating plan! Thanks for sharing : )
Late night swim looking at the stars is my sanity saver
Keeping our summer’s sane requires us, like many others have mentioned, to maintain some sort of schedule. The girls still have to do their chores every day – first thing. Our motto is “Get done what you HAVE to do so you can do what you WANT to do.” Once the cleaning/animal feeding/laundry tasks are done for the day, the kids have the freedom to do what they please and I can enjoy the day knowing that chores aren’t piling up!
Flexibility is what keeps us sane during the summer. Sure I plan meals, trips, or activities for the family, but allowing for some spontaneity and flexibility helps my family. For example lets say I plan a trip to the zoo and a barbeque for dinner but it’s so hot and humid that all we want is AC and ice cream. Then it’s off to the $1 movie (with Air conditioning) and at dinner yes we have dessert first. Dinner can wait until the sun goes down and we cool off.
My husband, our two girls, and I grow a garden for fruits and vegetables. We also plant flowers. We do a lot of grilling, which my husband thoroughly enjoys. One of our absolute favorite things to do is listen to the peep frogs (I’m from Wisconsin) that come out middle-to-late spring (my husband heard some already!). For us, that indicates that summer is near. We make sure to enjoy the thunderstorms that roll in as well. We go to Little Amerricka, which is located not far from Madison, WI. It is a “throwback” amusement park and is incredibly reasonably priced. It’s such a gem. We enjoy going there every summer.
My summer sanity saving tip is. making more salads like seafood salad, egg salad,tuna salad, healthy meals that does cost alot of money.
My summer sanity saver that is super cheap? Fill up plastic bags from walmart or the grocery store with water. Tie rope to the handles of the tied up bad and loop it over a tree branch! Blind fold the kids and let them hit at it like a pinata! The kids love the water play! Last summer I had my two kids, plus two I baby sat two others and all four kids (ages 3-12) LOVED IT! And, Lysa, I love the cauliflower pizza!!! It’s one of our favorites here!
My summer sanity saving tip is an oldie but a goodie. Use the sprinkler as double duty! Around here our summers can get really dry and our yard needs watering. I set up the sprinkler, get the kids in their swimsuits and sunscreens and we have an hour of free entertainment while the lawn gets watered too! Just do 30 minutes in the front yard and 30 minutes in the back and you’re good to go 🙂
We always have freezy pops, sprinklers, and water balloons…We like to be the light for JESUS so always sharing God’s word when we can!
My husband is a teacher and during the summer he teaches drivers education. This can keep him very busy. So in the past summers we have done several things to help keep my sanity with three small children. One we sign up for a triathlon or some other race and train together as a family, two: we do large group activities with our siblings, nieces/nephew, and our parents (camping in the backyard or a cow pasture :), going to water parks or amusement parks, and going to the local splash pad. three: going on a vacation with my husband’s family. there is plenty of extra help with the kids, lots of down time, and yummy food.
We save money by buying meat in bulk, then the hubby bbq’s most of it (like a few pounds of chicken, a few links of sausage, and some ribs or pork), then we eat on it the entire week! It’s tons of fun (because cooking is EASY 😉 ), and tastes delicious!
Flip flops… Need I say more!
My summer sanity saver – I live 10 minutes from one of the prettiest beaches in Florida. During the late spring and summer I try to go at least once a week for an hour or two and just sit and unwind. I call it “beach therapy.” You’d think that living this close I’d go more often (and I do try) but all the “stuff” of life gets in the way.
My SSS – go to the beach!
Summer Church camp for the Girls. Time for themselves building lasting friendships and relationship with Jesus.
No School.. 🙂
We have pizza night every Friday and BBQ chicken is our favorite! Can’t wait to try this!!!
We have pizza/movie night every Friday and this summer we plan to take it outside for pizza/bonfire night. We are loving staying home as a family, inviting other couples over and keeping money in our pocket!
You don’t have to convince me to have an open mind on that pizza crust idea… sounds fabulous!! Can’t wait to experiment with other toppings too 🙂 Happy spring & summer y’all!
I plan my summer out with one or two activities a week. They aren’t expensive activities but they are planned. I put the activities on a calendar so the boys can see what is coming up. I also have an afternoon rest time for both boys. They don’t sleep but they do have to read and stay in their room for a designated time. This helps everyone regroup before the craziness gets to be too much during the day.
I will be sitting on my deck soaking up the vitamin D from the sun and drinking a green smoothie or some green tea, or even both. 🙂 While watching my raised bed garden grow.
I love fresh fruit smoothies in the summer! Cools me off and is so refreshing!
Hands down, the BEST sanity saver for me in the summer is that my husband pulls out the grill and cooks our dinner at least once a week. Yummy grilled dinner and I didn’t have to do ANYTHING! 🙂
One of my summer sanity saver’s is grilled chicken. I grill lots of chicken during the summer and use it for several days in different meals: Grilled chicken and pasta salad, grilled chicken wraps, grilled chicken salad…. you get the picture. So yummy.
I became a share cropper with a local farmer. I paid a one time fee and get fruits and vegatables all summer. They are chemical free and they specialize in strawberries, blueberries and cherries along with all the typical garden veggies. I am really excited and praying they have a really good harvest!
My summer sanity saving tip is to use the Crockpot at least 2 times a week! Its a great way to get dinner made with minimal fuss and not heat up the house using the stove or oven. We love shredded bbq chicken and sweet n sour meatballs made in the crockpot.
I keep my extra tank for my gas grilled filled. That way I never run out. Easier to switch tanks than to run and get a refill.
Take some quiet time with The Lord. 🙂
Love Summer time!!! Perfect to take my little one to the park and the water park right next door. Good to get the sunshine and who doesnt love a free picnic in the park =)
My parents have a vegetable garden every summer with lots of my favorite veggies. So as soon as they grow I’ll go over there and they give me handfuls of veggies. I love it! Lounging by the pool with my little niece is fun as well. She loves the water! Summer is so much fun with my family. Grilling, always outside and spending time with my family.
One of my summer sanity saving tips is teaching my children a new skill. The busyness of the school year tends to get in the way of that. So each summer I take advantage of the extra time by showing my children (now teens) a new life skill, such as laundry or even creating a budget. My husband also gets involved, especially with the boys and teaches them skills like how to change a tire.
Roving neighborhood dinners! We love our neighbors and are outside most of the Summer anyways- so instead of heading back into a hot kitchen, we potluck! Anything goes- left overs, grilled items, desserts- YOU NAME it! It decreases the stress of “what’s for dinner?” and gives us more time to be close to the people that we enjoy!
Cook on the grill as much as possibly – grilled fruits and veggies are delicious and hardly any prep or clean-up!
The SUN is my summer sanity saver! I love and need my vitamin D!
Spending as much time as possible outside when it’s cooler – early mornings and late evenings. And gotta have that iced coffee!
This is a Pinterest idea but one my kids absolutely loved!! We freeze water in a Rubbermaid tub- you choose the size depending on the room you have to freeze it- toss some cheap plastic toys in there also and let them chip away at it on a hot summer day! It kept the 4 here busy for an hour!!!
Me and my family love to sit out in the evening around the fire pit and watch the lighting bugs take over the fields its so relaxing and alot of conversations are started during this time that make it even more enjoyable 🙂
Summertime sanity? Flip flops and popsicles. Playing with the kids in the creek. Large glasses of ice water. 🙂
Oh boy! I am trying to use alot of coupons to save some of my grocery money! I looks at my ads fins sales and clip coupons! Where I live not many stores double coupons any,ore so it is good to search the sale papers each week!
Family Summer Saving Tip: We grill and smoke brisket, chicken, and loads of veggies, and make homeade jerky. Then my husband has lunch for the whole week and a nice protein jerky snack for his “t.v. time ” 🙂
Grill grill grill to keep that kitchen cool!
I love to use my crock pot, steamer, or George foreman. This way I don’t have to heat up the oven and make the house even hotter. Also lots of salads:)
My stay sane summer plan is to keep my four boys really busy! We have a garden growing, have signed them up for a few vbs weeks, and lots of beach and back yard water play! We will continue doing a little school all summer. Taking a family vacation mid summer to visit family! I could really use this gift card to buy homeschool curriculum for next years school!
Picnics…they are great sanity savers (and don’t forget to bring your frisbee) 🙂
My family loves to take walks around the lake in our neighborhood in the evening, our son enjoys feeding the ducks and we enjoy quality time together away from any distractions!
I plan one day a week with another friend, write it on the calendar and plan to do something fun with my kids each week. We try to explore new places and act like a tourist in our town. We’ve created some great memories and found some really unique places. We’ve been doing this for the last 10 years! We look forward to it every summer…and so do the kids!
I have gotten some great summer fun ideas off Pinterest! We are always looking for free or low cost fun! For rainy days the library is a great summer activity and many movie theaters do low cost morning movies for young kids! We live near an amusement park with a water park attached so we buy passes and spend many days over the summer on thrill rides or in the wave pool! Just being together and finding fun things to do makes the summer unforgettable!
To stay sane during the summer we just try and not plan too many activities and instead just go with the flow. It helps us stay free to enjoy many things that pop up that we would otherwise miss out on if we have every moment scheduled. We keep suppers light as well.
Visiting the YMCA five minutes from our house. Great activities for my kids and two hours to myself to work out and get rid of any stress that I might be having. It really helps me not to have those unglued moments.
My Summer Sanity Saver is my Mom! I’m so fortunate to have her keep my kids every summer while I work my full-time job. The kids love spending time with Grandma & Grandpa and they get to do so much more than if they stayed at home!
As a mom, I will let my kids out on the back porch (in full view) with a large cup of crushed ice & a spoon…..they live it! Keeps them busy for quite a while so I can get things done 😉
My husband, when grilling will grill a weeks worth of meats & veggies at a time so we only have to do it one day, then have grilled chicken, steak, sausage ready for the rest of the week! Brilliant man 😉
We get a lot of aluminum foil and toss all the veggies in the aluminum foil with olive oil, herbs, and salt and pepper. We put that on the grill with chicken, steaks, or pork tenderloin. It is super easy, easy to clean, yummy, and healthy!
My son is a bundle full of energy so in the summer we keep a sand and water obstacle course set up – I can sit in the shade and cut coupons or have devotionals while keeping one eye on him. The obstacle course starts with 4 small tires that he can jump through…then he moves on to the sand box where he has to put sand through an array of shoots and slides to fill a bucket….sometimes this takes longer than others depending on how long he wants to stay in the sand….then it’s over to the playground where he climbs up to the stand and across the rope bridge..don’t worry the weave won’t let him fall through….over to the slide where he slides into the pool…then he gets up gets a drink and starts all over again… it can entertain for hours -just remember to use sunscreen….
Play dates for mommy and kids! It’s fun to meet up with other moms…then the kids have fun playing and moms have fun chatting!
My SSS tip: I assign each of my kids a set of 3 age appropriate chores that are theirs for the next year. We use the summer as training time on how to do those chores. When school time rolls around in August, they are experts at their chores and need minimal supervision to get them done.
My boys and I grow a garden every summer, so they can learn about sustainable food. There is such a sense of accomplishment when we go out in the mornings and pick dinner from our garden. I also make tons of homemade pops that the kids can just grab out of the freezer. Shirley Temple, Coconut Cream and Root Beer Float pops are some of our favorites.
We keep the air conditioning on and the ice tea flowing! Pacing ourselves and avoiding the mid day heat. God bless!
I have gotten some great summer fun ideas off Pinterest! We are always looking for free or low cost fun! We live near an amusement park with a water park attached so we buy passes and spend many days over the summer on thrill rides or in the wave pool! Just being together and finding fun things to do makes the summer unforgettable!
Long deep breaths of fresh air somehow slows the rush and the hectic dose not seem so hectic and my eyes can once again turn upwards-best time saver I know !!!
We turn off technology for the summer and go outside. Explore the woods, ride bikes to the park, sidewalk chalkapalooza in the neighborhood. Visit the library every few days. I’m so happy to have my kids home for the summer. I miss them when they are at school. It’s nice to sleep in, have a relaxed breakfast, and go enjoy Gods great earth!!
As a stay at home mom of two wonderful children, the best advice I can give to anyone during the busy summer months – is to always make your bed!! I love giving this as advice. It seems so very simple, and something many people may take for granted, but it’s true. Every mother, and father, need a place to call their own. Everyone needs an area that they can retreat to after the seemingly endless summer days that are full of swim lessons, baseball games (or other sporting events), VBS, Trips to the Zoo and amusement parks – you get the idea . 🙂 “Make your bed” is just an example of where I consider “my space”…my bedroom. Pick a place of your own….patio out back, a little corner of the basement. My point is that I take a little time out of the beginning of my day to make sure this area is ready and inviting for when I do need to just take that moment to myself. 🙂
God Bless!
Summer sanity saving tip # 1 – Reading! …..the Bible, your favorite mystery, anything that makes your soul soar right out of your doldrums! # 2 – Choose to laugh more and look at funny cartoons on Facebook instead of negativity. # 3 – Get rid of junk…..in your house, in your life and in your head!
Being outside every day! And home made Popsicles. Cleaner house (minus the dirt influx) and happy kids!
After 10 years in the desert, i have discovered the secret to a sane and happy summer! And it’s all about staying cool/indoors. Before the mercury hits 110, I acquire a stack of good books and a pile of quilting & craft projects. If the Mama is happy, the kids are, too. 🙂
One thing we do to take a break in summer is a freezer full of popsicles. The cheap ones that make you want to eat ten at a time, are a perfect way to take a break and calm the kids down! Also, we live about two hours from the ocean, so we will just take daycations, this save us money on hotel rooms!
One way we keep summer sane is continuing a schedule. Getting up early and not sleeping the day away. We also make a plan at the beginning of the summer, deciding which days of the week we want to go to the library, the park, the beach, etc. It helps! We also give each child a day a week to plan and prepare dinner. It’s great training for them and makes them feel so good to accomplish this and contribute to the family.
I have gotten some great summer fun ideas off Pinterest! We are always looking for free or low cost fun! We live near an amusement park with a water park attached so we buy passes and spend many days over the summer on thrill rides or in the wave pool!
My summer sanity saver is my mom. 🙂 Does that count? My mom lives about 10 minutes away so she keeps my 2 small boys during the summer so I don’t have to stress about who will keep them and are they being taken care of adequately. Other than that is the crockpot. Throw something in before work so dinner is ready when we come home and we have more time to spend outdoors in the evenings.
We live in Alaska where the summers can be much too short. My sanity saver when it feels like I *should* be doing this or that, or when I’m worrying about the dirt on the floor instead of enjoying the sunshine with my family, is to remember that winter and indoor time is right around the corner.
I like to freeze my fruit, whether it be berries, bananas or pineapple. It’s always a cool, healthy refreshing treat.
My summer sanity tip: I plan meals that use the outdoor gas grill and either salad or fruit. That way my retired husband does part of the cooking and the house doesn’t get all heated up from the stove or oven. Plus it’s my birthday today and I would love to win the $250 Amazon card for a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Enjoyed seeing you in person at Concord Baptist in Clermont, GA.
We have 5 kids, some of whom have summer sport practices and games, others with camps, and then vacation Bible School…. All that overwhelms my regular family calendar. So, in March or April, I start a separate “summer” calendar. Having all the “fun” marked in a special places, keeps me from stressing over the full calendar.
We do container gardening and I basically plant salads. I love going out and picking the fresh veggies to take in and make a salad. We pray with our grandkids when we plant to instill in them our dependency on God for our food.
My summer sanity is having a set time, during the hottest part of the day, that my kids know they have to come into the cool house and help do our daily chores. We have a pool which we spend most of our day playing in, but it’s also important that everybody pitches in and helps tidy up the house just a bit before dinner time!
My summer sanity saver is swimming lessons for the kids! Our local town offers them for a pretty incredible price. Last summer we went for several weeks in a row, they swim while I sit on the sidelines soaking up the sun!
I have gotten some great summer fun ideas off Pinterest! We are always looking for free or low cost fun!
Meal planning. With three kids in sports, meal planning and being prepared saves my sanity. Packing food to take to all the sporting events saves my sanity and wallet so we don’t have to spend lots of money and the kids aren’t begging for junk at the concession stands.
Girls night once a week.
I am looking forward to summer time. I enjoy the warmer temps in comparison to the colder temps. My job keeps me very busy during the summer but I enjoy taking a few days at the beginning of summer and end of summer when my son gets out of school and right before he goes back and spending quality time with him. We don’t have to go anywhere but sometimes we do.
My greatest summer (or any season) sanity saver is taking the time to stop and see the beauty all around me at any given time. Especially with all that is frightening and sad in this world, it is crucial for me to seek the beauty that God has created, and thank Him for never leaving nor forsaking us. Once my soul is again feeling His grace, then I can move on and try to pass on the good in my crazy-busy life.
With 7 kids, our summer sanity saver is water, any kind: ocean, stream, sprinkler or hose!
After a busy week, we unwind at the beach! We pack a cooler full of goodies, stop at Sonic for a drink and spend the afternoon relaxing by the sea! I’ve resolved the fact that my life will always be crazy, so making sure I spend time to unwind is the ONLY way to save my sanity!!
Run, lay out in the sunshine, read, and make fruit smoothies with my husband.
This will be my first summer as a stay at home Mom to three kids ages five and under. I need tips, lol!
Trips to the library for books and craft time. Water activities. Riding bikes. Vbs. play dates and a beach trip!
So loved the ice cream receipe! Yum! My family & I love Patio eating in the summer & i will try this receipe! Cant wait for summer! Grilling, fresh tomatoes, juicy watermelons & no kitchen clean up! Sometimes when the kids get really messy from watermelon & ice cream, I just take the water hose & squirt them off! Ha! They love it! I lost my patio set to a storm so I am praying to get another one! I love sitting outside on summer mornings with my coffee, bible & journal! Thank you for the receives & always sharing your life with us!
One of my sanity tips is that I make my children have outside time!! This gives me some quiet time in the house!! We have lots of games to attend in the summer with 3 boys in baseball. One of our saving tips is we pick just one game each week that we can eat at. The other games we either eat at home or pack something to take a long to the game. This helps save money and helps us to eat healthier!
Summertime! No homework is our first sanity saver! 🙂 We also do a lot of grilling in the backyard- My husband is a great cook, and he takes care of most of the summer meals and it sure is nice for all of us to be outside, playing basketball, painting or just hanging out around the grill while he cooks! So nice to have that family time with a lot less strict schedule! 🙂
Sanity savers? What’s that? We love fruit smoothies. All kinds! What a refreshing way to end our day on a warm summer night!
I stock the cabinets with pre-packed snack bags for the kids. You can do this with a simple zip lock bag. That way when we are heading out, I don’t have to waste minutes packing a snack pack. Super easy and convenient!
My summer sanity tip – get to the pool and stay there!!! 😉
My sanity saver..getting your household chores are always a challenge when your kids want to go play! I would make chore time fun & interesting..treasure hunt to find what chore you’ll be doing..filling your plastic pool for the young ones putting it in the kitchen..when they splash water out no biggie..just do your weekly mopping..play beat the clock…setting a timer for everyone to race & pick up every toy or clothes anywhere in the house. Your home will be clean in no time so you can go play! No one wants to clean at the end of the day..
My summer days are complete after a trip to the local swimming pool for water aerobics & family swim time…relaxing, cooling, kids laughing…awww…summer stress release = summer sanity. 🙂
1.) Prepare meals ahead of time and freeze. At the least, prepare a menu for the week. A little organization can save money, time and sanity
2.)Keep yourself and children engaged: research and prepare a list of free activities and places to visit, become immersed in new craft, hobby, etc that each can become passionate about, give children creative “challenges”: write a story, write and perform a play, create a project with pictures, etc.
3.) Allow “Just Be” days or “lazy days”.
Spend time outside…breath in fresh air, soak up some sunshine, listen to the birds, marvel in God’s glory!
With my youngest daughter: We learn a new game every summer. And we have at least one new recipe that we perfect each summer. One year it was a soufflé..a trifle, etc. We end the summer with one movie that is just the two of us, mother and daughter. When she was younger we took in the dollar summer movies at the local theater and we both love the library where we rent movies and books together. There are so many festivals, fairs, free outdoor concerts and movies that we have more than enough to keep ourselves busy.
Simple pleasures of summer! Sitting on the porch with a good book and a glass of sweet ice tea.
My sanity saver is exercise and laying out by the pool!
Taking a Hike in the mountains to a cool lake.. Exercise and refreshing at the same time. A bag of trail mix or a nut bar and my camel back.
GET OUTSIDE & MAKE MEMORIES – saves my sanity-
. We have long winters here & 9 children ages 17-2 .
Crock pot and grill! Don’t heat up the oven and stove.
I make huge pitchers of tea.
Working in my garden. Great stress relief plus wonderful bounty.
The higher prices of gas in the summer create a necessity of combining trips to town. Often, my list gets longer and longer of errands to run and pantry staples to replenish. I bought a 3-day cooler which I pack with ice and ice packs. I set it in the back of my van, load up the five kids and off we go. If I want to buy milk and eggs or anything that needs to be refrigerated, into the cooler it goes. I don’t have to rush home. I can finish my errands and even stop at the park we love that has silly frog sprinklers the kids and I can run through for a refreshing cool off.
Simple, fresh delicious meals using local produce and minimal cooking! Or, using the crock pot keeps the house cool! Thanks for your tips. Can’t wait to try that pizza!
Thank you for this opportunity and for your daily encouragement! My tip is to try and set somethings up for the next day the night before. For example, we have breakfast shakes every morning. I wash and cut the veggies and fruits the night before. You can also set out the bowls and cereal, run the dishwasher…etc. As well, I have a 6 month old so in the morning I prepare her 5-6 bottles for the day (by measuring out the water for the aprox. amount I know she will eat each sitting. I don’t mix the formula as I like it fresh for her:)). That way when its time for her meal I simply add the formula to the already measured oz. of water. It doesn’t sound like much… but any little time saved really helps when you got a hungry crying baby 🙂 It is also so key to have the bottles clean and ready and not be stuck having to wash some (while baby is hungry) due to the dishwasher/sink filling up:)
Simple saves the day! Throw over my head dresses with a flat sandals; bathing suits, towels and sunscreen always in the car, farmers market fruit rinsed and on the counter to grab throughout the day, lemonade and water bottles always chilling in the fridge.
Hopefully this summer, our garden will be a success. We stressed over it last year and nothing grew. We are trying a different approach and praying for a bountiful harvest! Other than that, we have a couple of vacations planned with the kids and one weekend for just me and the hubby!
VBS for sure! They learn about Jesus, sing, craft and burn off energy all in one fun morning. My kids love it and I get a break too!
We love summer! Summer in it self is a sanity saver because we no longer have to get the kids in bed by a certain time! They get to stay outside way past dark catching frogs and lightning bugs. We don’t get to vacation so we do a lot of “staycation” things. We always have a great time. One thing to remember in the Summer is just to relax. It saves your sanity not to have a melt down getting baths on time and proper clothes laid out, chill out so what if they missed a bath this week. 😉
I have three kiddos and I try to plan a trip to the library once a week. We also go hiking at a park that is really close to our house. Getting the kids out of the house a few times a week definetly aids in my sanity keeping.
Using the Crock Pot to save time and keep from heating up the house so much. 🙂
I buy season tickets to our local amusement park. They are paid for in less than two visits. They give you free parking and you can pack a picnic lunch in the cooler. Its a great day of fun for the price of gas money. The park also has a water park which adds so much value and fun! I also buy the tickets while they offer them on a payment plan, so I have six months to pay for them, so less stress on the pocketbook!
THE GRILL!! We have a very small galley type kitchen that gets incrediably hot during the summer. My husband LOVES to grill, so we save time (and sanity) by cooking as many things outside as we can.
Our best & favorite summer saver tip is we grow veggies & sometimes fruit…..the freshness cannot be beat.
We grow our own veggies and some fruits too! It saves us so much at the grocery store not only in the summer but all year round because we freeze the veggies we grow and make jams out of our berries!
I use the pool as a bribe to get all of our other work done quickly in the mornings. Then we have the afternoon to play!
It’s just me and my husband, our children are grown. We like to take his motorcycle out for long rides and see the sites and stop at different types of places to eat and sight see. What a way to see what God has created.
These sound good . Can’t wait yo try
I have to admit when I saw cauliflower crust I wanted to move on! Bit it actually sounds good and doable! My summer sanity saver is a hike in the mountains where all you see and hear are God’s beautiful creation.
My favorite summer tip….bath time in the pool or sprinkler!!! :):)
My summer sanity saver is to get outside. Have some fun things for the kids to do. And most important, play WITH them!! It really brightens MY spirits. 🙂
We spend as much time outdoors as possible! Swimming, camping, etc. lots of grilled dinners & garden fresh veggies. We also go to story time @ our local library for something educational. Thanks for the recipe!
Summer Savers? Shish kebabs, water guns, library summer reading programs, a few fishing trips, picnics (especially 4th of July picnics with friends at concerts). My hubs is a soldier, so the last 3 summers have been spent in New York. This summer will be spent in Alaska; lots of new memories to be made enjoying our old traditions with new friends in a new locale.
My daughter and I spend many days and many hours at our community splash pad and its free it has a picnic area so I pack a healthy picnic and there are always lots of kids for her to play or we make a playdate to meet there with a friend and we walk or bike there on the days that its not so humid and it costs me nothing but our groceries we buy and time. On days that i drive because of the humidity it takes 2 mins n free parking…We get to be together and have fun. That’s the best part. 🙂
My Summer Sanity Saver is being able to mow my neighbor’s yard. Our neighbor is a delightful 50 year old Single Mom who has MS and is unable to do things for any length of time. My husband and I thoroughly enjoy being able to sneak around and do things for her as well as our other neighbors. This is a great way to share the love of Jesus by serving others and it definitely takes care of my sanity and saves in helping others! Thanks for allowing the opportunity to share a glimpse into our lives. Praying for you today!
During the summer, I like to get out and take the kids to the library. We get some exercise, they get to explore and search for some new books, then we go home and read (aka a little bit of silence for a good cause). I also like to have days where nothing is planned and let the kids choose what to do. I know this may sound opposite of saving your sanity, but if the kids get to be kids – and PLAY USING THEIR IMAGINATION, they are happy and tend to get along better. Plus, in our world today, we are just rushing around to different things and taking the time to stay home and enjoy each other adds to everyone’s sanity – because the kids feel the stress of us parents too!
If you can’t afford a big family vacation, find interesting places to take your family and explore your own neck of the woods. I’m amazed at the things people travel many miles to see and do….and the people who live an hour or less away have never taken the time to go see or do it! Gas isn’t cheap….but it saves the overnight expenses. And if you pack a lunch you can save even more money. You can make just as many and just as fun memories an hour from home, exploring something new and different, as you can traveling across the country. (Maybe more! Less stress for sure!)
If your kids are younger, make sure you take some time for yourself and time for you and your husband, every week, ESPECIALLY in the summer. If you don’t homeschool, you probably have had that time during the school year. And everyone is busy. Time is not just going to appear and make itself available to you. Make that time and use it!
If your kids are old enough, alternate with a friend where she takes your kids for a few hours one week, and you take her kids for a few hours the next week, so that you each have several hours in a row every other week to run errands, do those extra things, schedule a massage, go for a walk with music, or whatever it is you need to do.
Another thing to do if your kids are old enough: assign each of them a meal (lunch or dinner, depending when everyone will be together) that they are responsible for planning and preparing. When they have cooked, everyone else cleans. Same rule for mom: when you have cooked, let them do the clean-up! Or at the very least, do it together and visit while you work.
Do a little reading ahead of time online, and find a book or two that is age-appropriate and that you think your child will enjoy reading. Make sure they read over the summer! In this technology age, reading too often gets left out. As a former teacher, I saw many students “lose” so many skills over the summer because they did not practice. Go to the beach and read, go to the park and read, everyone camp on the living room floor and read….but make sure you all read!!
Community service projects are wonderful family together-time activities during the summer. Is there a Habitat for Humanity House nearby if you have kids 16 or older? Is there an elderly person who needs their lawn mowed? Even if they make money mowing lawns, find an older person if not a grandparent, or a church, or some yard they can mow that is NOT for profit….do it as a service. Pick up trash in a park. Volunteer to read to the elderly in a nursing home, or to small children in a hospital. There are many lonely people out there; especially elderly people, who would so enjoy a visit or even a handmade gift from a child who needs to be productive. Find things they can do a few times throughout the summer that are not about what they will get, but what they can give.
Keep a tub or basket at the bottom of the stairway or some central location where things can be placed that a child has left out. Make sure before they go to bed, they go to the tub or basket and get the things they used or that belong to them and put them where they belong. Sometimes it is easier for us just to pick up after them and put it all away; but this doesn’t teach them responsibility.
Keep your schedule and routines, but be more flexible. One of my kids’ favorite things to do in the summer is a surprise pajama trip for ice cream. I never tell them when it’s going to happen, but after everyone is in their pj’s and in bed, I round them all up and we load up in the car to go get an ice cream. Something so unexpected and so simple, yet so fun!
A garden is also a wonderful summertime family activity. There is something so rewarding and planting that seed or tiny plant and caring for it while it grows, and then enjoying the benefits of being able to include it in your summer meals. Pick a few things you want to grow in the garden; then let each child pick 1-2 items they want to plant and be completely responsible for. Let them water and pull weeds. Take lots of pictures along the way, and especially take pictures at the end. One of my favorite pictures of my youngest son is him at 5 years old holding a load of carrots he had just pulled from his area of the garden — so many his tiny 5-year-old arms could barely hold them. He looks so proud! And he was proud, when we ate them in a meal and shared them with friends and family. He turned 18 this week, but he still remembers the year he picked carrots to grow.
Limit the amount of tv/vidoe games/computer time. It has to be reasonable for their ages and personalities. But whatever you do, don’t lose that precious summer time with your kids to modern technology. You need your time. They need theirs. But above all, you need to spend time together. All too soon they will be grown up and gone. You will wish for a summer day to spend with them. Remember when you get frustrated “This too shall pass”. But please, enjoy the little things! You will never regret the time you spent playing with, or holding, your children once they are all grown up!!
We stay sane by having an hour quiet time each afternoon where everyone reads, 6 kids ages 7 to 14 can just be too noisy sometimes!!!
Hmm…summer sanity savers. Summer itself brings me sanity since in MN I tend to go a little stir crazy in the winter! Love love love spending time outside with my kiddos…blowing bubbles, after dinner bike rides, planting and harvesting our garden, walks to the park, and bonfires in the backyard. I can hardly wait for the snow to melt so we can get started!
I wish I ha a better one, but for us it’s the neighborhood pool.
Lots.of time at the pool and grilling …then the kitchen stays cleaner 🙂
No school, so we sleep late. Also, my husband grills a lot. We do lots of fun activities like going to the splash pad and the zoo.
We have lots of sanity savers, but most of all we go camping many weekends! It is great family time together. We go on nature hikes, ride 4 wheelers, do nature crafts, bon fires and lots more. we also have counsins, aunts and uncles and grandparents all camping together. The kids would live at the camper if we let them 🙂 There are no electronics while camping just outside activities and family fun!!!
With 4 littles running around we use lots of summer sanity savers!
A few of ours include:
-sponge bombs: you may have seen these on Pinterest they are basically sponges cut into strips and then zip tied together to make a ball like shape. These are like water balloons with all the little pieces to pick up!
– we use a lot of chalk and bubbles in the summer too. It’s a nice relaxing way to spend a summer afternoon
-for those rainy stormy summer days when were all cooped up inside, I keep a whole closet full of easy art activities and card games. crayons, coloring books, scissors, play dough, beads, lacing outlines, paint and puzzles.
Hope you have a blessed summer!
Summertime is so much fun with 4 small children! When I find meat on sale, I like to stock up and freeze it with the marinade on it. The bag with it. Then as it thaws it is marinating. Then we can quickly grill it! The kids love to play outside in the backyard with sprinklers! We love to take a family beach trip (8 adults and 8 kids), and each family has a night to prepare dinner. We freeze it ahead of time and take it so there’s minimum cleanup and we save money this way. We take all breakfast meals and lunches. We usually only go out to eat as a treat one night. Even thought the days can get long in the summer with my crazy crew, I try to remember to enjoy this precious time that the Lord has blessed me with!
Walks, extra family time, trips to the pool. 🙂
Nothing better than after a long day at work to go outside and armed with my I-pod to just disconnet from the world and just worship and sing prsises my to my Papa my Lord and Savior. I am always refreshed and renewed.
Our plans for this summer are to spend time at the local water park with our friends.
I try to keep my sanity by planning one big thing a day. It may just be taking the kids swimming or having a movie day if the weather is bad. We try to do one thing together every day. I also make my kids have quiet times in their rooms each day for just a short time.
With having 5 grand children being a widow and on disability I do have sanings tips…lol
buy ice cream and toppings to make our own yummies … or make our own smooyies with dry jello, ice cream or yougurt and always take our own drinks and snakes to ball games, or the park…in the end, they appreciate when we do get to go out for the real deal… Also I try to have movies from Netflix here, popcorn that we can try newe coatings on or make our own cookies …
on a great day we play ladder ball, pain on concrete pavers, and we still blow bubbles they range from 19 months to 15 years…yes we still blow bubble
most importantly , I try to give one on one as muchh as I give in a joint gathering…
Love is free… it grows with out water…it is the best money saving tip I have
and I try to plant the seeds… as often as I can…
thank you
for blessing my days
you are amazing and so important in my life right now …
Sonja
Water ballon fights, squirt guns, hose fights, etc! Everyone has fun and makes great memories!
I’m out on medical leave from work due to a running injury to my knee, so a budget we are on. We love the library reading times, kids activities, and we weekly get a stack of books for bedtime reading. We also have a garden in the backyard that helps us keep our produce bill down and also helps us eat healthy. Our backyard is our summer heat retreat with a kiddie pool and slip n slide instead of paying for pool passes.
Working Out more and eating healthier 🙂
My Summer Saving Sanity tip is that I have daughters who are 8 and 11. I go to the dollar stores and stock up on fun outdoor activities like chalk, paint, water balloons, and bubbles for lots of fun. Summer can be fun with the proper fun for my girls!
Try and spend more time with family, My husband and I work away from home, so any get together is a blessng!
Grill as much as possible! Doesn’t heat up the house, healthier & saves on cleanup time!
After a long winter we spend as much time outside as possible! Lots is swimming, baseball and softball!
We try to take advantage of every free activity in our local community. Between libraries, museums, splash parks and more, we stay very busy and maintain a decent budget.
My summer sanity saver is planning for some activities out during the week so we don’t get bored being at home, but also to have some days at home with fun things planned and just having time to relax as well.
My family enjoys the cool summer evenings, sleeping with the windows open, listening to worship music. These simple things give us pleasure together. As for saving, my children and I Will be growing our first LARGE GMO-free vegetable garden! They are even more excited than I am!
Early walk, breeze on the porch, sipping fresh lemonade, prayerfully Blessed and grateful!
We love to get away for a few days and camp on the lake~ peaceful, restful, a way to connect with new people~ and also the main reason we chose to start camping at our age is to create a place that the kids and grandkids will come for family time~ love it and so do they.
We save our sanity by keeping summer low key. We don’t try to jam pack our days with activies. We try to focus on spending time with each other and enjoying time that is not scheduled. Loves those lazy summer days!
My summer sanity saver is fresh fruit, grilled meals and lots of sunshine. In fact, I think that’s what keeps me sane the rest of the year. I stock up in the summer months on all of these wonderful aspects of summer. Ahhhh…
Sanity saving tip? PLAN, PREPARE, IMPROVISE! Now is the time to be researching cheap home fun (ice cream bucket filled 1/4 of the way with water and waterproof toys tossed in, freeze, pull out, and dump another quarter full of water, more toys, freeze…continue until you have a solid block of icy toys…pull out on the most sweltering day and make a race with your kids…it will distract and keep them cool!) …there are so many sources fir cheap and free home activities…don’t forget playdates for sanity saving fellowship! Prepare with quick, healthy cheap meals (cold pasta salads (gluten free, whole wheat, whatever) are a huge hit on hot days! And improvisation is key! There will be a chilly day here and there. There will be rain. In your plan,have rainy day, “one child sick” day, and we need a break day plans!
HaPpY FrIdAy!! Love my summers, but the craziness of work, heat, humidity, and life in general, can take a toll. I take “Me and HE” time, when I can, in short spurts. It revitalizes me thr~ out the day. One treat I allow myself to have/do, involves a good book, or my Daily Reflections Book, and a refreshing bevie. At home or work, I take these “Me and HE” moments & enjoy tea or water. AND so to treat myself. I take fruit that is close to expiring, cut it up, and make it into ice-cubes. SO REFRESHING and such a TREAT. I take it in my water bottle to work also. CHEAP, and good for the soul and body to keep me refreshed in more ways than one <3
My family of 5 sit down at the beginning of each summer and make a “Summer To Do” list together, with everyone contributing 2-3 fun things (within reason and budget) for us to do during the summer. Last year, our list included “Have a water balloon fight, Have a picnic at the park, Plant flowers, Go see a baseball game, etc.” We marked off the things we had done as we did them. It gave us all plenty to look forward to and helped our kiddos feel “in charge” of the summer plans!
Summer will be busy…I am gonna be on the hunt 4 free fun for a 2 year old and a mamma;) I will be hopefully on the mend after an ankle surgery in a week’s time, so I can participate in the Dempsey challenge 5k in October…God is good! I want to be a healed, happy, busy mamma chasing after my baby boy!
Always keep a big pitcher of sweet ice tea. And make homemade ice cream .
My family plants a garden and cans the veggies.
My family just planted a vegetable garden that should be producing by the summer. We grill out, swim and work in the garden. It keeps the kids busy and outside. Plus it’s quality family time! Plus I read your blog daily that gives me great advice, scripture and perspective. Thank you for what you provide for women!!!
My summer sanity saver is our local pool! My 4 kids are so energetic and spending days at the pool is fun for them to play with their friends in the water and healthy for their bodies, too 🙂
Summer time means nice relaxing dinners on our back porched (screened in). I look forward to the opportunity to get the family together out there because we always linger at the table longer when we’re outside! We always eat lighter during the warmer months so food prep is also much easier which means more time to spend with the family.
My summer sanity comes from lazy days at the pool, $1 movies, library reading programs, roasting marshmallows in our fire pit out back, and just spending down time together!
I keep sane by planning activities for my kids-beach trips with a fellow mom and kids, free summer bowling, swimming at grandmas.
In the past I organized a “summer sanity” with some friends. We rotated houses and dropped all the kids off at one house (with one to two adults and an activity and a snack) freeing up us other moms to go out to coffee, run some errands, go home and clean or whatever we wanted for 2 hours. The kids did art, played with friends, had water fun on hot days and loved it. The rotation was wonderful, you can host an extra 10 or so kids one day for several breaks in other weeks 🙂
I have five children. Youngest to oldest was only seven years apart. So over the years I learned that summers were for no demanding schedules. Play, sleep in and have some fun! We certainly did chores and kept things organized but time flies too quickly!!
TWO WORDS! Summer SCHOOL!!! LOL that’s my summer sanity tip LOL! I live in Texas so you know we have some pretty HOT summers! Frequent trips to the beach, those yummy popsicles, water and lots of cool foods, sandwiches, watermelon, YUMMY!!!! We also participate in the free bowling summer program. Two games of free bowling each week for kids 15 and under, it’s awesome! That’s about as good as it gets for a single working mother :))
Good luck everyone.
Lysa I love your blogs and I love your books!
Argh… I can’t make it to your blog cast. Bummer. But I wanted to share my sanity saving summer tip… one thing that will keep my kids entertained for hours is water… namely the watering hose. They fill up buckets, they spray each other, they water the grass and flowers… there’s just something about water that they love! And when I’ve had enough of that, a friend introduced me to balloon ice. Take a balloon and fill it with water (the bigger the better–don’t just stick with those tiny little water balloons–go for the regular sized ones). Put it in your freezer. Take it out once it’s frozen, cut the balloon off, and let the kids play with the giant ice cube (outside of course). It takes them a long time to melt completely and they’re fun to side around on the concrete, etc. It can also be fun to “hide” a little prize inside of the ice for them to discover once it has melted far enough.
Sleeping late everyday, no rigid daily routines, and taking my kids out to play with their friends and swim in the pool are my summer sanity savers.
We joined a gym with a pool and a spray park!
I work from home and my sanity break is taking a lunch break with my friend Pam and going “thropping” as we like to refer to checking out thrift stores nearby……
I have a few summer sanity tips for you! Number one is to have one big chore day every week! Everyone get assigned and age appropriate chore, and must complete it before they can do anything fun that day! Number two is a laundry tip, everyone gets assigned a day of the week their laundry must be done and anyone over 10 years old must do their own laundry, younger kids can just help with the folding and putting away! Number 3 plan two fun activities a week, we do one swimming day and than one other thing the kids want like a picnic in the park of dollar movie thursdays! Fun days can be cancelled if numbers one and two aren’t done! Number 4, take care of yourself, summer can be crazy with kids all over and sleep overs, cook outs, and VBS, so set aside time for yourself each day! I usually have my husband put the kids to bed and take a walk in the evening, or take a bubble bath! I usually also have the kids each wash their own breakfast and lunch dishes, and they must reuse the same cup all day, so it cuts down on what i have to wash! Hope everyone has a great summer!
My summer sanity saver is that I married a teacher!! Every summer I get to enjoy quieter mornings of sipping coffee, there are 2 of us to run kids to swim lessons and activities, there are more mama pedicure moments and lunch dates with friends… tell your daughters — MARRY A TEACHER!!! 🙂 You may not be rich, but you will have amazing family memories every summer!!!
Healthy and chocolate? This I have got to try! Thank you for the recipes.
Serving others takes the focus off our insanity!
Throughout the year, I wash and save all our plastics that have squirting capabilities (ie. shampoo, dressings, etc.). Then we use them for family fun, cookout extinguishers, crop and flower watering, pet washing, you name it! The kids love it and we are reducing our waste and having fun with our summer chores! WIN-win!
We spend a lot of time out by our pool with family and friends. We enjoy a much needed break from homeschool.
Lots and lots of pool time and playing outside!!
I have two boys, ages 4 and 19mths. When I make casseroles it is enough to make a 9×13…but we always have a lot of leftovers that go to waste. I have started making (2) 8×8 cake pan sizes instead and I freeze one of them. With the 8×8 pan there is usually enough for my hubby to have lunch the next day for work. It makes the next week SO much easier when I have something I can just pull out of the freezer and cook…especially with summer here, beach trips are great but exhausting and last thing I want to do when we get home is work hard in the kitchen.
Summer sanity involves as little structure as possible:) Stay up late…sleep in…make plans on the fly. I have two boys, 9 and 7, and my older one has autism. He is a sweetie pie but prefers Mario Cart (at the moment) to everything, including swimming. Well with the exception of food:) Thankfully he will eat just about everything , so thank you for the healthy recipes. Be blessed!
The first thing that came to my mind was mandatory separation. haha! I am homeschooling my 3 kids for the first time this year. They love spending time together laughing and carrying on, when I force them to go to their rooms separately for “quiet time” they experience the feelings of “absence makes the heart grow fonder”.
It will come in very handy when summer gets hairy! 🙂
My savings tip is having my own small garden. Tomato prices are so high now a few of those & pepper plants & you can do wonders. 🙂
Having my husband take the kids outside to play while I go for a much needed walk/break 🙂
I have MS, so cooking can be a challenge at times. Summer time brings fruit salads. Nice and cool things. Watermelons and strawberries! Cool ice tea!!! 🙂 and swimming!
Summer sanity saver…..AC and iced coffee!!! These two things in my home make any summer day bearable!
During the summer to keep everyone’s sanity we spend a lot of time outside and at the pool. My girls are younger, so walks and swimming is extremely good for everyone. We live on a farm and being outside playing, planting a garden and flowers, and taking care of things is a lot of fun. A lot of play dates keeps me sane and energized for everyday tasks.
I have been reading your books and they are becoming a great source of encouragement as my family is struggling a lot right now with some huge issues. I am involved in a mom’s group at church where we are discussing one of your books and spending a lot of time praising God. It is a lifesaver at this point in our lives, both my kids and mine.
Jill~
My summer sanity is bug spray, sunscreen, pizza dough in the fridge & fruit in the basket. God is good all the time! All the time God is good. Be blessed in heart 🙂
We are coupon clippers! Not the “extreme couponing” type, just the “we-get-what-we-regulary-use” coupon clipping type:) We also shop at our local farmers market for fresh veggies and fruit in season!
We give summer its own routine. While not having to be up and out the door early is one of the greatest perks of summer, those warm, sunny days can disappear in a cloud of sleeping in, watching (too much) TV and being lathargic. Before you know it summer is gone. We have a routine of getting up, breaky, dressed, sunscreened and on with our day with our girls. That way we can plan playdates, play in the backyard, still have a clean house and enjoy the time we have together!
I have two children, ages 2.5 and 4. I try to keep summer simple. No school, sports or organized weekly obligations for us. No big plans, except playing outside, freezer pops and lots of trips to the zoo and pool. We also use the grill as much as possible, less of a mess to clean up in the kitchen.
Hmmm………longer, warmer days always seem to call for some SWEET TEA! A nice cold glass of tea, good book, hammock and a breeze….
Always keep almond butter in the pantry and celery and carrot sticks in the fridge. Quick & easy snack at home & on the go.
For summer time sanity savers, we do a lot of out side activities. Going to the park, play at the lake, play in the hose at home. We have popsicles often, and learn about how god made everything while were outside.(i have a 4 yr old)
We live in northern New England and have no A/C. That is fine for most summer days, but for 2-3 weeks it make for a scorching hot house with no relief. To get some relief from the heat and have some family fun I set up a “drive-in” theatre in the coolest part of the house – the basement. The kids get to hang out in the cool temperatures for the afternoon and chill out for a few hours.
my summer sanity saver — heck my all the time sanity saver is a good night’s sleep. Seriously though we fill the summer with a balance of activities and rest and for our family it is the best time of the year.
I stay outside as much as I can, enjoying the beautiful weather, birds, flowers, vegetables and sights and sounds of summer and savoring it!
Lysa, I think my GREATEST “sanity saver” advice as remarried mother of now adult children, and my age (Uhumm!) almost 1/2 a century old 🙂 is to walk with the LORD. He is our source of strength and peace. Also, to be “content” in whatever circumstances you’re in. God has placed you there for a reason. Trust His heart. My sanity saving tip is to spend time alone with God, His Word, and a journal. This time alone with Him is precious and easily overlooked when the business of the day sets in.
Believe it or not, ours is structure. I still have a toddler who naps and our other 2 are 8 and 6. There is a tendency to let the schedule completely go when summer time gets here but I find my kiddos do SO much better we operate on a “loosened” schedule. It’s much easier to transition back into school mode in August too. 🙂
My Summer Sanity Savings tip is to go out for daily walks. I love to go out just before it gets too hot and walk, enjoy God’s nature, and listen to some encouraging music or an encouraging sermon. Happy Summer Everyone!
my summer sanity- go to the beach
Super summer sanity saver…with 2 kidz, 15 and 8, I like to take them swimming as much as possible…and take friends so each one is occupied…we try new lakes, pools, and splash pads so it doesn’t get boring. A short trip we’ve already planned is to the Indiana Dunes…Hiking then a cool off in Lake Michigan.
Newly married with a blended family of 5 boys.. (Yes I said 5 BOYS!) we love spending time outdoors. Frisbee Golf, Hiking, Volleyball and Bowling! Lots of sports! My husband and I send out a morning prayer, via text, to our entire family. No better way to start the day!
One of my summer savings tips is to keep popcorn kernels for air popping in the house. So while the kids are home from school we have a cheap, healthy, easy, snack available. And you can do so much with popcorn!
At our home, we love to grill out in the summer! One of our favorite quick and healthy summertime meals is BBQ grilled chicken with fresh pineapple. 🙂
And, I would LOVE to win this gift card. We are expecting our first baby, and I would use the gift card to order a stroller off Amazon!
My summer sanity saver – no schedule! Just enjoy the moment and the time together. 🙂
During the summer we hang out clothes to dry, eat supper outside to enjoy the cool breezes to save money on power. Not a lot but it sure helps us out. The little things is what matters.
Gotta have sun tea! Put 8 bags of black tea in a glass jar, put it in the sun for 4 hours or so, then pour over ice, add some lemon wedges, and about 6-8 drops of liquid stevia…delicious!
We like home grown veggies. Simple gardens can give great rewards, money and health wise.
Variety and friends. Swim days, movie nights and crafts.
Savings tip- Kids Dine Free card! You can use it at lots of places! We love to go to Sweet Frog and get frozen yogurt at a discount due to this card! So leave the over turned off ( its too hot to turn it on anyway) and head out for a cool treat! 🙂
Summer welcomes us with the heat, excitement of vacation, no homework and lots of play time… and lots of practice for mommy to keep her cool and not come unglued! A few things planned for summer include surprise trips for ice cream on really hot days.. sprinkler afternoons… and library trips 🙂 Might re-do the Unglued devotional during the summer to keep it fresh!!
I have three children ages 8,5,and 2. My husband is a youth pastor and gone a few weeks in the summer. The whole family goes to camp with him one week and just our son the second week. They love being around the teenagers and the teens are awesome about keeping them entertained and letting them in on games they are playing. We then do 2 weeks of swim lessons. We also have a great library with a kids section with a puppet theater and there is story time and special guests(last year we met a baby kangaroo!). We also live by an airport, so we like to take our cool treats outside and watch the airplanes. These activities keep us sane by giving us something to look forward to every week even if it is something small. 🙂
My summer santiy saver = the grill. When the weather is beautiful and it’s too hot inside the house to cook, the grill is wonderful. Not only is it easy to operate, there is a multitude of things you can cook.
My summer sanity tip is: Quiet Time. Since our girls were little toddlers we have always had quiet time. This was in the beginning just another name for “mommy needs you to take a nap”. lol Anyways, over time the girls would say I do not need quiet time. We just tell them that everyone needs quiet time so they can hear what God wants to say to them. We tell them that they do not not have to fall asleep just spend that time praying, reading the word or another book that is encourages your walk with God, spend the time listening for his voice. It for an hour everyday after lunchtime. We usually schedule things to do either early in the mornings before quiet time or go to the pool or other activities after quiet time. The house is totally silent. No music, no electronics, no phones during that hour. We put a note on the door saying “Please not disturb and no visitors until after 2:00pm” I have already had my devotion time before they arise in the mornings so this hour allows me to rest. It has worked out great for our family. Even when family and grandchildren come for summer visits we still practice this daily. Everyone comes back refreshed, refocused and ready for the second half of the day. 🙂
During the summer I try to plan events near or around splash pads or cool zones so we can cool down after a warm day out and about. Or bringing along squirt guns and spray bottles so we don’t overheat. We always bring water and snacks – it’s healthier and way cheaper than stopping while you’re on the road!
We live in a very remote area. I love to plan themed nights at my house, and spend time with friends. I also keep ice cream on hand for the neighborhood kids.
For a long time, I have not been able to walk our dog. I am looking forward to walking him this summer to start the day off right with some quiet time and exercise.
We are looking forward to beating the heat by setting on the deck in the evenings with a glass of tea!
Summer swim days are my summer sanity savers…they are super fun and the kiddos are exhausted by the end of the day! 🙂
Summers are crazy for us and so I try to start prepping for the gallons of water that I will try to pour into my family! So I purée fresh strawberries and cherries and oranges and lemons too! I mix them with the concentrated Crystal Light flavors (or your favorite brand) and make tons of skinny ice cubes with them. I put them in buckets labeled…viola! Yummy water! I also take the puréed fruit and mix into premade crystal light to create some unique and fun flavors and I seal them with my sealer and we have frozen pops! No sugar, healthy and yumm. By the way Lisa my family loves
Cabbage ice cream that I freeze as pops too! Mmmm
My summer sanity tip is not just for summer, but it is a super helpful tip for whipping up healthy meals on a limited amount of time and money! Once a week (for my family of 5 with 3 little ones who don’t eat a whole lot) I drop a whole chicken in the crockpot and let it cook on high for about 4 hours! Then, my husband and I spend a few minutes shredding it up and putting it into containers to be used throughout the week. We use it for sandwiches, skillet meals, burritos, and salads! It is a perfect way to have your meat ready to go and save lots of time when putting together a yummy, healthy family dinner!
Free bowling! When it gets really hot and no one wants to be outside we go bowling. The kids are free and I purchase a family pass. We are still being active and not spending a ton of money.
We grill and eat out on the patio a lot during the summer. Afterwards just sit and talk, watch the fireflies, and let the grand kids play in the sprinkler. Good quality family time and making lots of memories! That’s what it’s about.
I can never get my cauliflower crust right. I will definitely try the recipe you posted. I was introduced to your book Unglued by a dear friend of mine. It’s so wonderful knowing I’m not alone with my feelings. Recently, my mother came to visit and I caught her reading it. She told me she loved what she was reading. Mother’s Day is coming and this book will be amongst her gifts! Thank you!!!
Mine is to grill as much as possible and eat lots of salads, fresh veggies. Anything to keep from having to cook inside and heat up the kitchen!!
My biggest sanity saver for summer is to assign my kids weekly chores to do Mon-Thurs. They don’t mind because they earn a little spending money and by having a the chores done by Friday it leaves that day open for a fun free (or almost free) outing.
Summer saving tip is a garden. Plan on canning for future use.
My summer sanity tip is…good friends who let me use their pool! With 3 very active little boys we will be outside a lot and the pool just makes it cooler:) Also, I am going to attempt my own garden. A little me space to enjoy God’s creation!
My summer go-to mealtime sanity saver is that at the beginning of the week I will make or prepare several large salads that keep well in the fridge. Then all we have to do is think about something to accompany them (usually chicken or sausage or steak on the grill), and cooking is soooo easy. That, plus homemade lemonade in the fridge!
Lots of sandwiches! All different kinds!
Keeping the kids plugged in with fun activities like play dates, playing at the park, library story times, trips to the zoo and all things water activities outdoors!
This year my summer sanity saver it to be completely organized before school gets out!! Closets, drawers – purge, organize and clean! So when the kids get out of school I won’t have that nagging feeling that those things need to be done and we can enjoy our days at the pool, golf course and park! Now, I must get busy!
I am a teacher and have the summer to prepare for another year. The summer is time for me to get outside and spend alone time with God. I also have a toddler who goes on walks with me as I tell him about God’s creation, his questions light up my life.
Our Summer Sanity Saver is grilling out! We love the taste & it makes less of a mess in the kitchen, leaving more time for us to spend together as a family!
One tip I am going to try to use this summer is to say “no” to outside commitments and say “yes” to my family!
My summer sanity saver is taking the kids outside swimming!!! I have 4 children so getting them outside at all is a sanity saver!!!:)
My chickens + my kids = fun family time.
I planted tomato plants in the beds I already had, in between my azaleas. They were huge and I got a lot of tomatoes.
My summer sanity just requires me to remember that the kids are on vacation and I shouldn’t get upset at their lack of interest in chores or even organized fun. They want to enjoy some relaxation. I try to set weekly expectations but not do daily inspections. And then just keeping the frozen treats in good supply.
As the weather gets hotter in Florida its early morning beach time. Love doing my bible study at the beach in the early morning hours. Love watching Yehovah’s creation and reading His word at the beach.
My summer saver is keep it simple, enjoy this little things that make you laugh and let the house go, Just try it and see how much fun it is not to be tied to the chores always! Blessings
My summer sanity saver is to breathe, inhale and exhale deeply because our school year has been heavy. I say put your toes in some God-made water or lay back in the grass and gaze at the wonder of the heavens, remembering the keeper of heaven and earth who never sleeps nor slumbers. Happy Summer!
Two words: THE POOL!!!
I think my son is part fish, so a great way to burn off some energy is to take him to the pool, that we can walk to from our home, and let him swim his little heart out!! They have a great children’s area with a cool dinosaur slide and mushroom that rains water. He loves it, and I get some good Vitamin D intake myself 🙂
At 30 years old I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, so I’ve become a little planner obsesed 🙂 I found a GREAT website where a Mom put together an entire summer plan with each day of the week being a similar type of event. Tue – Technology Day, Wed – Wet and Wild day, Thu- Learn about something day, etc….It has been A HUGE help in giving me the tools to keep my kids learning and growing through out the summer and since I clearly know what they are doing I can schedule some me time in there too!
Starting summer out slow and enjoying just relaxing with the mini’s. Then we will gear up and end our summer strong and busy to discourage those nasty end-of-summer-boredom-battles. 🙂
Having a short but set routine for the mornings so we can pick up and then play the rest of the day … and the GRILL easy, time in the sunshine, doesn’t heat the house and not as much clean up! 🙂
Summer sanity, hmmmm….well as a mom of 3 boys, summer break can get a little crazy!!! However, we try to meet of with friends once a week, to let the kiddos play and let the mommies chat, take a weekly outing, play outdoors as much as possible and have a daily quiet hour. This daily quiet hour allows all of us to regroup and catch a breath 🙂
My summer sanity tip is through all the hussle of activities to remember to have some “mommy time” to relax, to rejuvinate, and to spend time in the word of our Lord.
Happy summertime!!
My tip: I BBQ on Saturday and do enough for the next week! Then we microwave it during the week after work. I might do a couple meats like: hamburgers, steak, chicken, fish, or ribs, and vegies. What we can’t use that week I wrap in foil and freeze.
On hot summer nights it’s so nice not to have to cook but still have hot (microwaved) BBQ and salads!
Summer sanity tip: get out the crock pot. I spend a lot of time outside in the summer – with farming summer is not really a relaxing time, (winter is more for that). I can put in a meal and head out for the day and I don’t have to cook at the end of the day while everyone sits around asking when supper will be ready! And…it doesn’t heat up the house. I try to find lighter recipes for summer. Can’t wait for a sign of summer since we just had another snowstorm in SW Minnesota yesterday! Crazy weather – but it’s moisture we desperately need – so praise be to God!
Spending time in our vegetable garden this summer is what I am looking forward to the most this summer. It brings great happiness and peace. It reminds me to be grateful and it leaves me in awe of God’s creation. Watching the garden grow is amazing. Plus, it’s a family project we work on together. A great glass of lavendar lemonade is always a winner as well. 🙂
Summer sanity means pool play dates for sure! Texas is hot and my four year old son loves to be outside!
I have 2 different sanity savers, one of them just coming together last summer but boy is it a good one!!! For many years, to keep myself from becoming unglued, I’d turn up the music a little (or sometimes extricate myself from the house & go for a drive with music!!) and belt out singing!!! ALWAYS improves my sanity! Newsboys was my fave! Starting last summer….it’s to go out on our new deck, sit in my comfy chair, turn my head up to the sky and talk to my Father out loud!! Sometimes it calms me do much I fall asleep!!! 🙂
Since my kids are grown and there are no grandchildren YET summer is a time to slow down for me. I like to drive with the top down, on my car if course, and soak up the sun. Take time for me and read a book, do a home project, or maybe take a walk to get some ice cream. Keeping the windows open as much as possible to bring in fresh air is a must.
We live in Montana, so when the weather gets nice (finally) we go outside! I love picnics at parks or at the lake, and we grill lots of healthy food and eat outside whenever possible! Keeping a flexible schedule during the summer is a sanity saver too! It should be fun times for the kids AND Mom and Dad. 🙂
I like to make ahead different sandwich fillers, such as chicken salad (with nuts and grapes in as well); egg salad (recently posted a recipe of egg/avacado sandwich) and veggies we can put into tortilla shells. I try to do as little hot heating in summer to keep house cooler, and will make ahead things in the late evening. Then if kids want to do a picnic, it’s easy to pack up and go.
Summer Sanity saver…walking. Even if its just around the block; I feel so much more relaxed and ready to take on the rest of the night (which usually includes some form of homework for my B.S.) or if I walk in the morning, ready to take on the rest of the day. And plus to walking, I usually take our son with me so he calms down as well; makes the night a bit more relaxing instead of frustrating.
My sanity saving tip is to actually have a daily schedule for kids so they can help with housework and still have fun and be kids. When I worked we did this so I got help with the house since the kids were here so I’m gonna keep it now that I’m blessed to stay at home and can use the help so I CAN have some fun myself! Lol
Summer Sanity Trip… We sweat the small stuff with weekly Public Library visits! This was something I loved to do with my grandmother! Now… I do with my kiddos! We all take time and read to each other and often color or create something crafty afterwards! We save electricity by not using the iPad, TV, or computer! We utilize the FREE Public Library & sometimes we read @ the park then play there!
My summer sanity saving tip is– being outside! I LOVE going to the farmer’s market in Union Square on weekends, buying a lot of absolutely delicious, amazing produce (the quality of which conventional produce could never touch I’m convinced). I like to try out new vegetables and incorporate them into our meals. It’s a fun way to experiment with ingredients! Awesomely priced produce + everything being organically/locally grown = YAY. There’s a lot of festivals/street markets in NYC when the weather is nice and I love just to stroll around and maybe buy some plants or jewelry– you never know what you’ll find. Also, since I visit my family in NJ often, that means beach time! They’re only a 30 min. drive from the shore. 🙂
My Sumer saver is to fix easy light meals which do not turn the oven on to heat up the kitchen. Tx is so hot and our air bill is terribly high. Getting out early when it is cooler to do the yard work. Blessings to all & thx for the opportunity to win this card:)
My goal this summer is that one night each week I’m going to let my kids take the lead. If that means swimming for 2 hours before even thinking of dinner, do be it! They are gems in my life & I want to give them my full attention in this way since I can’t spend the whole summer with them.
Grilling and eating out on our patio! We love the relaxation of summer!
My sanity saver is to not get too caught up in plans. Some of the best times happen when plans don’t work out.
My tip is to find time for a hobby – work on scrapbooks for vacation photos, card-making, knitting, etc. Plus, spending time on a hobby is useful for those of us who are trying to control our eating habits!!
Faith, family, and BBQ! Oh, and I can’t forget a big juicy watermelon! 🙂
At the beginning of the summer we have a family discussion about our expectations for the summer and make a list of things we would like to do. Sometimes the “treats” are tied to home/family projects completed. It helps everyone have our hearts and minds in the right place. Also, we go for a family walk as often as possible after dinner. The evening stroll is refreshing and relaxing – a great way for kids to wind down.
Summer can get really hot! I love a nice tall homemade glass if lemonade and tuna fish on crackers. You don’t want to turn the oven on with all that heat! You can also make homemade Popsicles with the kids to keep them nice n cool as well! Natasha
Our summer saving tip is checking out local free events and activities. When there isn’t anything going on we check out fun places to walk trails, ride bikes, and swim in creeks. Nothing quite like getting our fun in while enjoying creation! Blessings!
I care for my elderly momma (87) in her home that she and my dad had built, I am grateful he was a health nut and installed an inground pool. When she lays down for a nap I do laps, float around and soak up some sunshine and quiet time! This is truly now my summer sanity saver 🙂
Super savings tip-water hose! Lots of fun for cheap 😉
We love to grill out as often as possible in the summer. My sanity saver is to grill extra when we have the grill fired up — chicken, steak, whatever. Then the extra meat is ready to go for salads or a quick meal another night.
My ultimate favorite summer saver is using 4oz dixie cups with sugar free punch in the freezer for ice pops. My children eat TONS of these and I save on the cost! I use paper cups so the kids can easily peel away the covering, cut straws as “sticks” and a cookie sheet to keep them from spilling in the freezer. Easy to make and the kids like picking their sugar free flavors! 🙂
We make a summer fun list. It’s our go to guide all summer long!
This isn’t a money saving tip for the summer, but a way for your kids to be a little healthier. I am sure your kids do this, but I remember coming inside from playing in the sun on a summer day asking my mom if I could have a popsicle. My mom would then say I could if I ate three carrots (or another vegetable, or healthy food). After eating my healthy snack and then getting my sugar treat I would usually be full and not ask for another sugar treat. I hope this is a great idea for you moms this summer as maybe not going through sugar treats so fast 🙂
Thank you Catheryn,,,great idea!!!
A good summer tip I could give is, make sure you have plenty of Ice pops in the freezer! They are delicious and a cheap way to cool down from the rising temps outside!
Summer Sanity Saving tips: eat lots of watermelon, homemade icecream, and veggies straight from the garden; get some Vitamin D, and spend lots of time with friends and family! Yay! Summer is almost here! 🙂
My favorite summer sanity savor is a day off work, large glass of sweet tea, no schedule for the week, sitting in my backyard with my family and a nice grilled meal and watching the chickens and the dogs…did I mention no schedule for the week?!!! Yes, that would be my SSS!!! Love your blog by the way. 🙂
I say shut off the TV, step away from Facebook, and get outside for a few hours each day to take in some vitamin d. Soak in God’s beautiful creation! My husband and I take a few nights each week to take the kids on a bike ride or a walk.
Know when to hire a sitter and go out with your honey. Have a well stocked kids-grab-on-their-own snack bin. Cut back on laundry by insisting play clothes be worn over and over until truly dirty. FREEZER. MEALS. the end.
My Summer Sanity Saver is spend More Time Than Money On Our Children….It Is Your Time They Ctave And Remember!
We grow a garden and eat fresh veggies!!! Saves me money and is healthy.
Hi Lysa! My summer save-your-SANITY tip is to pray, pray, pray while digging in that dirt and tending to those veggies! There’s nothing like dirt therapy! Also, at the home we are renting, there is a beautiful row of raspberries and a strawberry patch. Those summer mornings are the best when we head outside for breakfast, starting our day off with God and His amazing food!
I hav hiking & camping trips planned to preserve our sanity! Nothing like basking in God’s creation to relax & unwind!!!
Longer days and no school means dinner time doesn’t have to be so rushed, which is this mama’s sanity saver!
My tip would be to have a plan each day. I just make sure to think about the next day each nite and mentally make a list of what needs to get done and what things i want my kids to do
. If I don’t have a plan I end up wasting a lot of time.
My summer sanity saving tip would be to try to remember to keep things simple when it comes to meals get the whole family involved. There is something even the little ones can do(setting the table, filling glasses) It will be fun for them and help for you! 🙂 What a great way to work together and have good family time too!
My Summer Sanity Saver is to spend as much time outdoors with my grandchildren and family! It has to last; as we are apart all winter.
Piano!
Christian music!
Loved seeing you share healthier recipes Lysa! 🙂
I have a few I’d love to share with you. Try the Papaya Punch juice recipe I created on my Facebook page! It’s so refreshing. Great healthy drink to share this summer or anytime with your friends.
Thanks for the great recipes!
June
Ooh didn’t know you could make some of your fave foods healthy. Will def have to try;) Please post some more!!
I keep a pitcher of water & plastic cups outside for the kids so they don’t have to run in and out so many times when they’re hot and thirsty.
Lysa…I love the pizza recipe. What a healthy meal. Not sure my family will go for it, but I am willing to try!! Definitely going to add to my list. Thanks!
I am so excited to try this BBQ chicken pizza with a cauliflower crust pizza recipe! I have just had a BUNCH of medical test and basically I’m allergic to GLUTEN so I have been looking for anything to replace the normal “carbs” in my life! My tip for summer is to get outside and grill, not only meat, but you can grill veggies, pizza (unless you are making BBQ chicken pizza with a cauliflower crust), and desserts! So fresh and yummy!!
Summertime seems like go go go! Trips to our library helps to break up the day and helps the kids reading while on break.
We take advantage of local free concerts in the park, cheap matinees at the theatre (usually only $2 for last year’s kid flicks) and farmers markets. I try to stay in a flexible frame of mind so I can not get flustered when my plans take a detour, and enjoy my family regardless of the agenda.
Organization and planning are what I do during the last few weeks before school is out. I create a chore schedule for my 4 daughters since days we have longer days and I assign certain areas to each one to supervise cleanliness. I also create a calendar of outing/activities of things they would like to do (go to park, fishing, swimming, etc.) so that they have some things to look forward too. Most importantly we have a morning devotional/bible study (which you can get one geared towards girls, boys etc at your local Christian book store) so that we can start our day with the God’s word, good attitudes and an open heart~ necessary when you have 4 girls ages 8, 9, 10 and 11 LOL!!!
Love time saving tips!! To save time I like to brown large amounts of ground beef at one time and then freeze it in zip lock bags. I put one pound per bag (1 pound of ground beef = approx 2 cups). Then anytime I want to make spaghetti or tacos etc. I just put one bag, still frozen, in the microwave for 2 min and I can start preparing quickly!
Don’t over-commit! Summer is about relaxing & spending time w family & friends. Don’t spend your time running to games, events, even too many “vacations.” Reduce the amount of “go” in your summer.
My sanity saver is year round for me. As a recovering addict and a sinner at best, I look to my Church family. I attend Bible studies and Worship services. For a little exercise, because I have a weak heart, my Dr. allows me to attend a dance class once a week. Belly dance, hindu, Egyption, Hula, and Flaminco. I pray through out the day daily and read scripture, and tweet and use FB to spread the word of God.
I like to keep my kids busy and also have rest time everyday. It helps them to have quiet time away from each other. Another sanity saver is premade meals(homemade and frozen by me) and a stash of crockpot meals. I love using the crockpot during the summer especially so I don’t have the hot stove going.
My summer sanity savings tip is having a bunch of pool parties with my friends. A chance to get us all out of the house and get some great Vitamin D 🙂
Also having our first garden this year so excited to eat healthy fresh vegetables without all the junk on it that they use in the grocery stores to keep the stuff looking good!
I make popsicles that the kids can snack on and cool off with. We have a lot of water guns and sprinklers to play with here, instead of paying to go somewhere. And we have a rule of no electronics in the morning. I send the kids out to play before it gets to hot, and then we have some quiet time in the afternoon. Lots of library books and lots of water.
Every Sunday I cook a roast of some sort in the crock pot, I then use the left overs throughout the week to save time and energy for other dinners… shredded meat for sandwiches, veggies as a side dish for another meal, etc… I also grill just about anything in the summer… 🙂
Grilling. We grill as many meals as possible. It’s fast, it’s easy, it keeps my house cooler, and my husband mans the grill keeping me free to prep side dishes and deal with kids. Grilling also cuts back on dishes and gives my husband a reason to be outside and play with our 3 year old.
My summer sanity tip is to finally get a pool! We’re planning on getting a small one that the kids can swim in and adults can not only relax but cool off in. It doesn’t have to be big and fancy!
I love letting the kids be outside as much as possible during the summer. Get out paints and sidewalk chalk, play with shaving cream and “pud” (cornstarch + water + food coloring), and I’m okay with messes when they’re outside and washable!!!
Put frozen fruit in your water instead of having sugary drinks and exercise to release stress and stay sane! 😉 Of course spending time in the word is the number one stress reliever!
My summer sanity savior – swimming! My parent’s have a lovely pool, and we just bring the kids over and let them swim out all of their energy. 🙂
A super summer saver tip: http://WWW.kidsbowlfree.com, you can sign your kids up and they can bowl all summer for free 🙂
My tip is to go camping on the weekend! It’s forced relaxation, much needed after working all week. We go with our church life group, always a wonderful time.
Enjoy the warm summer evenings for outdoor games. Summer afternoons spent on the porch reading out loud a great book to my kids.Lots of sidewalk chalk!
On rainy days, I include my children in making baking mixes. They are productively occupied, and our sunny days are easier when the pancakes and bread are pre-mixed! (Then we play games or play in the rain 🙂
Iced Coffee and being outside as much as possible is a must.
I love chocolate and pizza!! Yay for Friday’s too!!!
I live in CO and am so looking forward to summer, I like to buy pre cooked chickens, no heating up house and more time to get outside and this summer I get to play with my grandson. I can use for pizzas, salads, sandwiches, pasta salads, and dips! New to this site, loving it! Thanks.
Summer seems so much easier to me than any other season because we spend so much time outside. I guess part of what saves my sanity, though, is that we don’t over-schedule ourselves. We want the summer to be full of fun family time rather than running hear, there, and yonder.
I am super excited about the ice cream receipt. It only will save me tons as my son and I have milk allergies and store bought dairy free ice cream i expensive. Another way to save when visiting theme parks is to bring your own lunch and return to the car to eat. We do this and save a ton from not buying the expensive park food,
Saving tip: I grow my own vegetable garden; I can and freeze after the harvest. if we can’t grow, then we try and buy things in season as they tend to be cheaper (local farmer market as well). Also, I ask neighbors or friends to trade what we grow in the garden, like a co-op type thing. I share my zucchinis and tomatoes, and they turn the favor with peppers or potatoes 🙂 As far as summer activities, we rarely pay for organized events; we hike, we play in the parks and enjoy the sunshine. Pool and water splash in the backyard does the trick as well. Oh, how I can’t wait for summer!
P.S. Hope I win the Amazon giftcard; my hubby turns 40 and would love to buy him a new grill to enjoy our summer veggies and chicken :)))
I make a double batch when preparing one of our favorite meals and I freeze one for later…
save your sanity summer tip?? simple meals on the grill, salads from our own back yard garden, and as a family that lives 10 minutes from cape cod…make sure to head to the beach at least once a week!
Hy Lysa! My summer sanity saver is to make sure I spend some quiet time with God BEFORE the kids wake up! I never get it done if I wait until later. Also, it is always good to have a routine in place for all of my kids. Plus finding time to get out of the house for a little exercise each other day really helps me a lot (I thank God for my teenage daughter who babysits the younger kids)! She is paid well and she is worth every penny. 🙂
My summer sanity saver is having activities planned for and the supplies already on hand at the beginning of summer. Then we can pick and choose as we go.
With 4 kids ages 6 and under, playdates are our sanity savers! We had many 100 degree days last year, so early morning gatherings, indoor places, or anything involving playing in the water ourside! It would be too easy to get cabin fever trying to stay cool otherwise!
I love summer! With identical triplet boys that are now 6, we stay super busy in the summer. We homeschool, so I get to spend lots of great time with them. We go to the beach a lot and explore, play and thank God for his amazing creation!
Summer is a great time to get outside! We BBQ more which equals eating healthier because we tend to do lean meats and vegetables over burgers, dogs and mayo drenched salads. We tend to walk more, which means better health for us and our dogs! Since my husband and I are overweight, I’m looking forward to shedding some pounds with the hope and joy summer brings.
Shaving with lotion!
sorry, I mean lotion instead of shaving cream – helps keep my skin hydrated
Take time to enjoy each moment as it comes. Don’t get caught up in the busyness that can usually come with summer. It is an incredible busy time for most people, but most of it can be fun if you take the time to truly enjoy the experiences. Remember, if you are relaxing and not stressing that means cortizol isn’t being released and that means less fat! 🙂
No hot meals! Just different sandwiches and or salads! Doesn’t heat up the house and easy-peasy!
Make some grill able freezer meals now. Stock the freezer with quick grilling items like burgers and such. Not having to worry about dinner saves my sanity!
Down time! As an online teacher and homeschooling mom, my summers suddenly “free up” and I really treasure those months to be able to just focus on PLAY and RELAXATION with the Little Loves. This year, we’re going to make a list of the fun things we want to do this summer and truly plan them, complete with target dates and a checklist on the fridge! : ) Summer IS my sanity saver. 🙂 But I also like a few moments to myself — some new frozen smoothie concoctions and a book during the kids’ naptime are SO refreshing!
Stay inside under the A/C as much as possible – which translates into more grilling for the hubby 🙂
Playing in the hose with my soon-to-be 7 yr. old grandson (and another grandson arriving in September!!!!). What fun we have squirting each other (and Grandpa when he least expects it! 🙂 ) Can’t wait!
My summer sanity saving tip is to take walks at dusk. I love seeing the sun go down!
We love buying fruit in bulk during the summer months, and then freezing it in portions for later. We throw the fruit in pancakes or heat it up on the stove with a little honey for a yummy crepe filling. We also do a lot of smoothies during the summer, yum!
Get in the sunshine! Two small children and being cooped up for months, time to get outside in God’s lovey sunshine! 🙂
Grow my own garden and enjoy lots of fresh veggies
My summer sanity tip is grilling. I pre-cut veggies and freeze them so they will be ready to throw on the grill. We grill and eat outside on the deck. It always helps with the clean up.
We are members of a lake near by and it surely works to keep everyone happy and getting along. Plus it is a great place to hang all day when the weather gets really hot!
We have an empty nest but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to have fun and save money! I found that Travel Zoo and Groupon have a lot of really good deals for weekend fun! You can get their daily emails. 🙂
My summer sanity saving tip to go to the state park and swim at the lake. It’s cheap and cools you off in the hot Texas weather.
Summertime sanity – at the beginning of summer, we sit down with our kids and make a list of all the fun things they would like to do over the summer (we get responses as simple as having a popcorn movie night to going to the zoo or park or having a lemonade stand …. many are low or even no cost). Last summer we also incorporated what we called ‘letter-writing Mondays’ where we each sent a handwritten letter or card to a friend or acquaintance. It was a good way to continue our schoolwork as well as serving others through the encouragement of a card or note.
My sanity this summer will come from my husband being well enough that him and I can enjoy some warm summer temperatures as he fights an ongoing battle with terminal brain and lung cancer.
Summer Sanity Tip – LISTEN. Relax, stop and listen. Quiet time to be with Jesus. I am hoping to win the gift certificate to purchase wonderful spiritual books and CDs to distribute to family and friends.
Slice up some cucumbers thinly into a refrigerator door jug, add mint leaves and water and leave overnight. Cool off with a glass of the refreshing beverage while reading devotionals that I subscribe to, like Proverbs 31 Ministry’s Encouragement for Today. =)
God bless you!
My summer sanity saver is prepping some meals all in one day for the week and freezing them. I will make up fried egg or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cookie batter and even ingredients for smoothies so all you have to do is grab and and go or throw it in the blender or toaster oven.
My sanity is dependent on planning ahead! I know novel idea, but I find that on Saturday when I’ve just gotten home from food shopping if I chop, package, and Pre-prepare food for the week I am less stressed! Especially important over the summer, because the last thing I want to do is spend hours figuring out what to make and clean up…I want to lounge by the pool…plus having those veggies and fruits cut up and ready to go makes it easier to stay healthy. Plus it allows my a guilt free moment when a brownie comes along 😉
Repurpose an old laundry detergent dispenser as a “bubble refill station” for the kids. Saves lots of fights and headaches for mom.
Thanks for the recipes Lysa! My summer saver tip is to spend as much time with your kids. Stop all of the rushing around and getting caught up in th hustle and bustle of life! I also like to try and stay up a little longer after my children are in bed. This gives me an opportunity to get everything prepared for the next day. It definitely saves time and creates a lot less stress. 🙂 Can’t wait to have a cooking date with my babies and make your ice cream recipe!
My summer sanity saver tip is having a small garden during the summer. My whole family loves fresh vegetables and for less than $20 we have vegetables for the summer and sometimes early fall!
Summer Time!! my summer time is now called “teen-Hungry” time..so it is better to be prepare. Since my gallbladder extraction last summer our diet has been turn over 180 degrees, more healthy staff for all of us .I have 2 boys and you can imagine how it is handle the healthy diet with them , but so far so good for now, i wish to have my own garden as a Leida has, but we live in a small apartment ,i love organics products and everything who is involved with a healthy lifestyle.The best for my Family and for all of you too!!.
My summer sanity saver is a vanilla ice cream cone w/ the kiddies outside after dinner. Last night was the first time of the season, and it was a big hit. And as we were outside enjoying, our neighbors came home…. and my kids bum-rushed them to see if they wanted one too! So I went in to fix one more for their little girl.
My hubby came out and asked where the Mama was (from next door.) I said, “She went inside their house for a minute, but if I were her, I’d be planning to come over here and give me a talking-to about not letting our kids rush them with ice-cream cones as they are pulling in the driveway!” (But of course they all loved it!)
Having other members from my small group bring snack when we host.
My favorite spring/summer activity that saves my sanity year round is garage saleing! My spell check is telling me that is not a word, but I do it enough to know it really is! I purge stuff from my house and growing family all year, have a sale then use the money to shop at other sales and clothe and entertain my family all fall/winter! It’s a fun cycle! Thanks for the recipes too!
During summer I find myself praying more constantly throughout the day because my girls are home for the summer, which is great…but then my sanity goes out the window. I admire teachers for being able to handle them all day while in school. Your tips are a wonderful blessing for our family. God Bless.
I love grilling and eating outside on the patio
It is April 19, and we still have snow!! Argh….our sanity will return when we don’t see any of the white stuff!! Summer sanity in Manitoba, Canada is escaping to our wonderful lakes, and enjoying a peaceful paddle in a kayak. My husband and I so look forward to that. We paddle to at an island, enjoy a picnic lunch that we have brought, go for a walk, or just sit quietly enjoying the sights and smells. I can hardly wait!!
Texas – stay under air conditining and drink iced tea.
My sanity saving tip is bring your lunch to work with you. Not only do you save money in Gas but you can eat the healthy food you have already spent money on instead of spending money on more food. It is also a good time to spend in God word or reading for your bible study and using Lysa’s book Unglued happens to help with Co-workers who are just hard to love and require extra grace
My summer sanity tip would be to remember the simple things-a long bike ride, a stop at the park to go down the slide, an afternoon picnic or a day at the beach. God gives us so much to be thankful for!!!!!
It’s hard to think summer when we just got 20″ of fresh snow last night! Ugh.
I like to keep the car stocked with adventuring supplies, like a change of clothes (cuz you never know when someone will fall in or get muddy), towels, swim stuff, hiking boots, snacks, and warm jackets. The weather changes here fast sometimes, being prepared is a must! We love adventuring up the shore of our beautiful Lake Superior.
Some of the Summer Sanity Savings tips (try saying that three times really fast hahaha) for our family are:
*shop clearance during fall/winter to stock up on summer necessity. Summer is for relaxation!
*quick & easy healthy meals (that taste great) that the kids can help prepare. They don’t realize it’s preparing them for the future… someday Daddy & I will need to be taken care of by our adult children.
*drive-in movie theater only charges per car load, allows outside food & drinks and everyone is happy enjoying their own uncrowned space.
*campouts @ home. Sometimes a stay-cation is what everyone needs after cabin fever sets in. It’s also conveniently stress free to not load up the entire house to camp away from home.
*blanket forts are a must…they always create fun for ALL ages especially in the tragic boredom by week 2-3 of summer.
*themed game nights…they are a lot of fun & kids don’t realize they are voluntarily using math, problem solving, etc.. It prevents summertime mush brain from video games which often surfaces two weeks before school starts. Sneaky parenting does pay off! Lol
*ANYTHING water related…water balloons, watermelon, homemade slip n slide. We live in central Texas which is smoldering HOT. If the activity is outside after 11am it better be water related!
*school supplies shopping the year before…for basics needed all year. It saves time & saves us from added stress of fighting the crowds. Then only shop for the non basics.
*briskets, casseroles, etc that can be cooked & used for a few days as leftovers. This saves time, money & utility bill…leaving extra time for FUN for the kids and R & R for Daddy & Momma!
We have more Summer Sanity Savings tips. However these are some that make the most difference for our family.
No matter if I’m chosen…I hope this helps other families 🙂
It’s almost that time…last 6 weeks of school is counting down!
Have a blessed day!
The Merrill family
Taking a walk on the bike trail with my Bible and journal and stopping by the river. Sometimes wading into it a bit to an island. Then pouring my heart out to God, giving him all my worries.
Sleep in! Plan weeks out in advance with lots of FREE time mixed in and enjoy the abundance of fresh produce!
We love fresh fruit and veggies! We pick and freeze strawberries and blueberries and can vegetables.
My summer sanity tip is to take a ride thru the country side on the motorcycle. Nothing like it!!
AIR CONDITIONING!!!!! My husband has to have the house COLD at all times or else he loses his sanity….in other words HAPPY HUSBAND = HAPPY ME!!! 🙂
I “run away” periodically to do things I like to do. Just leave for the day. Go antiquing or yard selling. Just taking a breather makes it refreshing to enter the fray once again!
My summer sanity saving tip is to find cheap, fun family activities to do. A few examples of this is to plan family picnics in our backyard, family game nights, and family movie nights. I am thankful that my (almost) grown children still enjoy the simple pleasures in life!
Grilling and eating healthy with my family. Just found out I’m diabetic so I have to make some changes in my eating habits. Also I plan to spend more time on my porch reading the Bible.
We have our own garden which helps, but also, try to go meatless at least one or two days. But things you can mix and match so nothing goes to waste.
I think reading during the summer is important and brings some sanity (quiet) to out days. We like to find programs that reward our children for their reading. Half Price Books and our local library offered rewards last year.
My summer sanity tip is to enjoy my children every moment I have with them. My children are 3 and 2 years old and I can get caught up in doing everything “just right”. These are moments God has given me to be thankful for the time I have with my children and enjoying just how God made them. So every temper tantrum, every boo boo, every time I have to remind them to use their inside voice, I’m going to remind myself that God has given me these children and I am thankful for the time I have with them. Even when it’s time spent correcting, nursing boo boos’ and teaching them. It’s all time well spent. Being thankful is my sanity saving tip.
My tip is to make time to plan plenty of activities on the weekend with the family. Swimming, library, museums. If anyone lives in a gated community check them out, we were surprised at how many activities they offered for families during the summer.
Lots of outdoor toys!!! Pools, slip and slides, butterfly catchers and bubbles. Also, a plastic picnic table for the kids to eat their meals at outside…no more sweeping the floor 100 times a day, a least for a few months:)
My summer sanity saver is to have light dinners in various places…..pool side, at the ocean front, back yard or botanical gardens! It is fun to see my kids faces light up when we eat some where other than the kitchen table. We create precious memories during this time and when we return home the kitchen is already clean!
My summer sanity saver is drinking lots of water … gotta keep hydrated!
I live in the valley of the sun, Phoenix AZ. So summer is here for 6-7 months. My summer sanity tip is to collect little coloring books and crayons after the holidays. Keep them and when the heat starts to really kick in, I give them to my son to give him something new to do. We will also melt crayons outside and make new colorful ones.
We do cheap summer movies on Thursday through our local movie theatre. Keeps us indoors and out of the 110 heat.
We plan our daily activities around the same schedule they use for specials in school. We have art, PE (aka Park Exploration), computers/game day, library and music. It helps maintain some of the school year routine and it simplifies planning for me. 🙂
My sanity saving tipis making sure to restock our summer basket: sidewalk chalk, bubbles, jumpropes, new sandbox tools, ballsect. Also buy popscicles in large quantitie. I also make sure to have new books for the kids to read. I love to read so I enjoy making sure they have new books to choose from
I make a good summer chore chart. My kids and I share chores to get them out of the way. I explain we are a team and if the whole team helps I have more time to do fun things.
Grill dinner as many nights as I can! Lots of salads & fresh fruits & veg’s. And that Ice Cream looks sooooo good!
During the summer here in the South it can get close to 100 in July and August but you want to be outside to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. There is a smal garden in our area called Hatcher’s Garden. It has big beautiful trees with great water featured, flowers and cool breezes. So for a lunch break or afternoon off I like to invite a friend to join me there and I prepare a littel scripture to read- a littel chicken salad to eat with some frozen grapes and cool lemonade. We will sit in a quiet corner and just share about what God is doing in our lives that amaze us. Or I might do the same with my husband but change the menu to more manly food and steal kisses on that one. It is great to get out- in the cool of God’s wonder and soak Him all in with the ones you love!!!
My Summer Sanity Saving tip for this year would be to spend lots of time with my kiddos. I battled breast cancer last year so we were not able to spend our summers as we normally would. We will plant a garden together so we have fresh veggies to eat this summer which will save some $’s as well but oh the conversations we will have as we’re planning, planting, and gardening. I also plan to take long bike rides with a picnics so we can spend the days getting exercise but relaxation as well. We also like to search for parks that are fun! Can’t beat that. Just takes leg or gas mileage to get to those! Thanks so much for this opportunity. Love your books, Lysa! Keep them coming!
summer sanity saver, relax and let things roll. fall and spring are full of to do lists so let the summer be a little more carefree. if you arent feeling inspired all the time, it helps to have a jar of suggestions for things you enjoy to do and then you can just pull them out and get started.
also, pineapple wine by the pool is nice. 🙂
My sanity saver is staying busy. We go to the playground and the pool and do LOTS of playdates. 🙂
I can’t wait to try your pizza! Having a 3 year old and a 1 month old, it can be hard to fix a healthy meal at times. This summer I plan to be outside as much as possible enjoying God’s creation. We love to end a long hot summer day by grilling out. Grilling is easy, healthy, and yummy!
For summer sanity, I always think it helpful to keep to a routine, even if that routine is different than during the school year. Our kids thrive on structure. 🙂
Pre-planning is my summer sanity tip. I like to have events, activities, extra currricular activities, vacations, etc. on my planner before summer begins! Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a spontaneous moment here and there, but if I pre-plan then I know when I can and can not be spontaneous. I think its the OCD tendencies in me:)
My summer sanity saving tip is weekend trips to the farmers market. Healthy fresh eating for my family. And since I am a mom of two under two getting out if the house is a treat so signed my oldest up for gymnastics and my youngest up for swim class.
Pool day with peach ice tea
Thanks for sharing fabulous Friday food ideas. Summer sanity. Kids get hungry and are always wanting something quick and easy to get back outside to play. Keep cut vegetables ready to grab and eat, as a quick snack in between meals or to go with a quick PBJ sandwich.
My sanity tip is to love on your kids in the summer! Even when they are driving you crazy and fighting and and and… Etc!! I have a daycare in my home so I have 9 extra kids plus my 3! We do science experiments (naked egg was super fun!). Play games! Lots of outside time and make yummy snacks!!! All TOGETHER!!!! They grow way to fast! Don’t count down the days til school starts again!!! Go with the flow and enjoy them!!!
My summer tip is to grow lots of herbs and if not used, cut, wash and put them in a freezer bag. I have enough for the whole winter and don’t have to buy!
Our survival tool for summertime is to maintain somewhat of a schedule. I have two boys who will both be teenagers by this summer. We all make a combined list of summertime fun things we want to do, projects to complete around the house, and things the boys want to achieve during their time out of school. It keeps us from looking back on June and July and wondering where the time went!
I love to raidthe $1 aisle at target and then get other things as well. I also get a few educational workbooks and have the kids do 30 min/week just so they don’t forget EVERYTHING they’ve learned. I also get the calendar out to plan activities. I make sure to include the things my children want to do instead of just what I want them to do 😉 I can’t wait for summer to get here.
If outdoor grilling is not an option due to weather, I love using the crockpot! It doesn’t heat up the kitchen and there’s no slaving over a hot stove.
Spend lots of time outdoors and plan for the times that just can’t happen. (Nothing big, just have supplies around for those times.) My kids love to play outside, so we’ll be out in the yard or at the park. I’ve also found a lot of fun, inexpensive ideas on Pinterest for those times when you just can’t get out.
We always go to the public library. It’s free and my kids get to pick out whatever books they want. They love it & love using their own card to check out! 🙂
Your recipes look delish, thanks for sharing!!! To keep summer sanity we just keep things deliciously simple…bbq’s, homemade Popsicles and sweet tea! Mmm goodness that keep us spending time in the sunshine! 🙂
Sanity saving is my middle name, if it’s not fast it’s not on my book. So we love chicken salad (my kids call it the fancy kind) with grapes and celery and low fat mayo. This is wonderful on crackers or low cal bread, or a bed of lettuce. Wonderful!
My summer sanity saver had to change last summer since I had started a part time job last year. I have a dry-erase board on the kitchen counter. Before leaving for work each day, I write down what chores the kids (4th, 8th, 10th grade) need to do. They are supposed to have them done by the time I get home from work at noon. Then we have the rest of the day to play, relax, go places, etc. Blessings!
Plan nothing ! Savor the beautiful days & spend as much time outdoors
On a hot day, wet down a wash cloth or small towel. Put it in a plastic baggie, pop it in the freezer for a few minutes. Take it out and place around the back of your neck for a quick cool down or to keep your self cooler when your outside.
My Summer Sanity Saving Tips are: Make your own popsicles, grow your own veggies and herbs, grill, use paper plates, swim in books or rivers. One of our favorite past times in the summer is sitting around a camp fire sharing stories, laughing, singing praises and eating s’mores. You can save on the wood you burn if you collect sticks and smaller trees that have fallen down over the winter. 🙂
Note: I tried to leave a comment earlier and it didn’t go through so I apologize if this is a duplicate. Thanks!
My summer sanity rule is that everyone’s electronics (tv, computer, games) and cell phones are still on “school” time. So that means they all still get turned off at the appointed time regardless of if it is a school night or not. Mom and dad still have work schedules and still have to go to bed at a reasonable time even if the teens get to sleep in a little more than during the school year so we still have to maintain a little sanity in the night time/bed time routine.
Love your tips regarding electronics. Will definitely implement;-)
My summer sanity saver is to take time to enjoy all the little moments and sit outside with a glass of iced tea and the fresh summer breeze! There is something so relaxing about fresh air.
Ahhhh…summertime! Please come soon… At our house we enjoy more relaxed, less planned days. We take advantage of free it low cost community activities. One thing that has helped us keep costs down in the summertime is to shop local farmers markets and keep lots of fresh fruit and veggie snacks in the house. We also try to grow some of our own herbs.
Just spending time with your family is summer sanity
For a quick energy boost, post workout snack, or breakfast I mix a jar of natural peanut butter, 3/4 small jar of honey (microwave to melt), then stir in oatmeal until desired consistency and spread in a sheet pan. The sheet pan is placed in the refrigerator for an hour and then cut into bars. Yummy and quick!
Summer sanity = extended family gathered around a large tub to plunge feet into ice-cold water while kids run through the sprinklers.
I have been wanting to try the pizza recipe for a while, now I really have to!!! Summer ideas 😉 : plan in advance! Plan one fun/learning activity a day, and don’t be a parent on the side-line during the activity; participate!!!! Don’t be afraid to be a goofball ;). You WILL make memories for a life-time!!!!!
Well, I don’t know how helpful this is but our pool completely saves my sanity every summer!
Having three little boys, we go to the library ALOT! We also keep up the same rules that apply during the school year. I.E make beds, decent bedtime, cleaning up after meals, etc…this way mommy doesn’t become a maid while their little sunscreened, Popsicle sticky bodies run outside scot free!
My summer sanity tip is to be flexible. Enjoying the weather, whether its a beautiful day at the park or rainy day movies. It helps me to enjoy the little moments and not get caught up in “expectations”.
We have 8 children. That’s a whole lotta “I’m bored” whining coming at me. So to help save my sanity we made an activity book. I got a red binder and we filled it with all kinds of creative ideas. We took time to sit and look through magazines, and my kids would cut out the things that looked fun or interesting to them. We put them in categories, such as “outside games”, “rainy days”, activities needing “mom’s help”, activities to do “by myself”. The kids also remembered their favorite games or simple activities, such as making a fort or drawing pictures, and they wrote directions and illustrated their ideas on paper. Voila! a bountiful supply of special activities, custom made for my kids! Whenever someone would come across another great idea, it was added to the book. Then, when that dreaded statement “I’m bored!” resounded, I simply reminded them of the ‘red book’ and they were off to entertain themselves!
Now let me assure you, this ‘red book’ started out nice, neat, and pretty – but through time it became messy, unorganized, and dirty. But it was well-loved and well-used. And it helped get us through many endless summer days – with my sanity somewhat intact.
Lysa-
I love your blog and enjoy the uplifting, fun nature of your posts.
For an even easier ice cream treat this summer, take two frozen bananas and blend them in the food processor for 5 minutes, scraping the sides occasionally. You don’t need to add a thing! Your little heart will dance with glee as you enjoy this yummy, creamy treat (provided you like bananas :). Just try to save some for your family!! (Make sure to blend it long enough that it is the consistency of whipped cream–that is when you know it’s ready!) This will surely save you some sanity this summer!
My summer sanity saver is to always have fresh fruit and veggies prepared and ready to grab and eat. I also like to have our back yard kid friendly and inviting…we just got a new swing-set to go with the baby pool, bikes, chalk, sprinkler, etc.
Hey! Love those recipes! Here is my summer favorite drink!
Lime Aid.
-dozen large soft limes
-2liters of mineral water
-mint stevia ( liquid). To taste
Squeeze lime juice. Put it in a pitcher. Pour mineral water into pitcher. Add stevia to taste. Enjoy and cool off fast! 🙂
Man it would be great fun to receive the gift card as our kids have special needs and I use it to get a nook for them.The pizza recipe looks very good.
We only have bedtimes on Sat and even then it’s midnight- to ensure wake up for church Sunday morning.
Get up before the kids. It’s tempting to sleep in when they are, but having even a few minutes of quiet to shower & talk to God really set my day in the right direction.
In the spring fix up your covered patio Paint furniture add a big vase of flowers for your table & buy ferns & plants to put out their when inclement weather is over Even put an airy throw over a chair, cute signs with sayings, hang an outdoor flag for spring & summer Fix a basket spray painted with a handle & put your Bible, journal, pen, Kleenex, index cards, & notes cards & stamps insider I call this basket my quiet time basket Keep it by the back door so if it rains it won’t get destroyed! Then when spring & summer come you are ready to grab your basket tea & be outside with The Lord!!! This space you fixed up is beautiful, peaceful & yours until company comes & then it is their escape too!! Luv the recipes Lisa!!! Blessings!
My summer sanity saving tip: AIR CONDITIONING! Kidding. But I couldn’t live here in Georgia with out. My real tip is the crockpot. Things get so busy, I can throw a meal in the crockpot and let it do the work and I don’t heat the house up with the oven. IT’s also good because I can eat real food instead of fast food when I’m in a hurry.
As mom of a tribe of 15, my summer saving sanity is church camp. We go as a family and serve together. Serving someone else takes are minds off each other and focus on what is really important sharing the love of Christ.
Let your kids/teenagers go to camp! I had so many “God moments” growing up, going to summer camp every year. It’s a chance for your kids/teenagers to get away from distractions and truly focus on God…while having loads of fun!!! Plus, no kids for a week! 😉
The pizza look yummy and summer is coming. We have a graduation and then moving.
The best thing that keeps me sane are task or to-do lists! I usually tailor or create them to meet the specific needs of my summer project. This helps me chunk down a bigger task so I feel productive and not overwhelmed!
My tip would be to use the crockpot to avoid heating up the kitchen on hot days. We don’t have air conditioning so it helps to not have to heat the oven.
When the tension get too thick I hop in my kayak and go paddling for a while. Great exercise and relaxing too!
Sunset is my favorite time. The water is usually calm and I can just float around enjoying God’s beauty in the sunset sky.
Planning is key but you cannot just make a plan, you have to follow through.
Vacation is our favorite family time of the summer.
This summer since my kids are older I plan to take each one out to lunch for a date since we do not have a lot of time for that.
We also like to pick some good read aloud books (the Amazon card would really help with this!), learn a skill (like cooking or laundry) but we also really enjoy having a different pace schedule, summer is plenty busy but we enjoy down time as a family.
Summer sanity: we have lots of things set up outside so we don’t have to spend a lot of money on going places.
Relax! Enjoy the lake! Simple meals! Reduce commitments and spend
more time reading…….:-)
I enjoy the beautiful summer days and we either eat light or I use my slow cooker as much as possible. Spending time with my family and making memories is more important than a spotless house and family meals.
Get outside as much as possible! Park or the pool and let the kiddos wear themselves out! 🙂
We cook and eat on the patio as often as we can during warmer weather. Less heat in the kitchen, less mess to clean up, lots of fresh air.
This summer to keep my sanity I am dedicating time first thing in the morning for a bible study with the kids. Whether we take it out side or have to stay in the house. I realize my role as a parent and how important it is to educate my children on the bible and the love of Jesus. Sure we will spend a lot of time in the sun and water but to keep true sanity all summer long we will be putting Jesus first 🙂 here’s to the best summer ever!
My tip would be to buy a case of water and keep it in your vehicle at all times. I know it seems like the water would get too hot to drink but we have been doing this for years and though it’s lukewarm, it’s totally drinkable! This has saved us so much money (and dehydration!)
Grill!! We grill next to everything. Saves from heating up the house and less cleanup!z
Summer is the time for me to get some things done around the house that I don’t normally get to during the rest of the year. Cleaning out a closet or a drawer that has needed it, for example. I know it sounds crazy, but when I get some of the “little things” done, it energizes me and lifts my spirits, I feel like I have accomplished something! Then I feel ready to start the fall season and ready to tackle the bigger things, like the holidays.
Scheduling in a jog for mom us key and picnics are a must. I wear them out by quiet time so i can get a little time in for all your great books, that always get put on the back burner during the school year since I’m the teacher. I know a little more me and God time … helps me recharge for the next school year:)
I’m usually a night owl so during the summer my days get longer. I write at night and I usually try and put everything away at a reasonable hour but that doesn’t always work out. What I’ve found that works is throwing everything to the side after 9pm on weekends. I try to stock up and peruse all the things I have wanted to do during the week…like shopping for snacks and putting them away in single serve portions for the rest of the week. I clean the house and give it a thorough going over for the coming week and stock the pantry. I start my devotions for the week planning them out and making a list of the books I’d like to read one day…you wouldnt believe how long that list is lol. I’m a saver so the last time I bought anything that wasnt a requirement was before christmas which is really sad lol. However, my father tells me its because I’m alot like him. I say use what you buy, dont buy what you cant use and put the rest in the bank.
To STAY at the Beach as much as possible!!!
I am the director of a preschool as well as pastors wife. I try to get a few moments on my screened back porch with a cool drink, a good read, and some alone time! doesn’t always happen but i need it!
I love trips to the farm stand nearby to pickup yummy produce and trips to the library to get a good book. This summer my boys are working together to build a treehouse in our backyard. They have saved their money and put it together to puchase the lumber. It is so wonderful to see the teamwork and excitement as they plan together.
Pick and choose based on your priorities and well being of your family. It’s ok to say No and take time to enjoy the family instead of pulling your hair out with activities!
Spending daily time with the Lord is my every-season-sanity-saver!
Love the recipes! We look forward to a ‘break’ in the summer, but summer can be crazy busy with all the fun things we want to do. I like to keep things on hand that I can quickly throw on the bbq grill, with a little extra on hand so that it’s not a problem to invite friends at the last minute! Gardening can also be a great way to have plenty of veggies on hand. No space for a garden? Use large pots for those favorite few veggies. And then eat outside…I keep a picnic blanket (and suncreen) in the car for those spur of the moment picnic lunches.
Thanks for the recipes..I have a very picky son who will not eat veggies (but loves pizza) so I will be trying the cauliflower crust pizza soon! My summer sanity tip is a simple one: making sure there are plenty of healthy snacks, board games, crafts etc for my kids. When they are happy and not complaining of boredom, this momma is happy 🙂
My summer sanity saver is just to plan lots of easy but fun activities for them, like a day at the pool. This keeps them busy and they’re all ready for bed… early!
Grilling almost everything and having fun outdoor activities pre-planned for the kids! In a few weeks we will be adding a new baby boy to the family, just in time for summer. I’m tempted to be an overplanner, but will have more of a go-with-the-flow ‘plan’ this year to keep things more mellow and my sanity in check 🙂
One things I learned last summer (which is when I found you, Lysa, because I was going insane trying to keep up with life) was that it’s okay to hire a babysitter every once in a while for some me time. I tried having the babysitter come watch the kids for a couple of hours in the middle of the day last summer, and I went to the pool all by myself! I love to go to the pool with the kids, but let’s face it, you have to be so vigilant that it’s really exhausting. So, I gave myself a trip to the pool when I could really relax, and it was glorious!
We’re in Texas, where summers are HOT! My sanity saving tip is to visit the pool as much as possible! We pack lunches and lots of sunscreen and our little ones get so worn out that they happily go to bed each night.
We have a lot of lakes and rivers where we live. My daughter and I spend a lot of time going to these. Pack a picnic and make a day of it, and it is inexpensive.
I really just enjoy the time with all my kids, not really as far as vacations and such for summer but spending nice quality time as a family & being creative with what you have! Recycling is great for crafting and activities for them using cardboard boxes, milk jugs, egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, etc. kids really just love the little things & quality time esp at the park 🙂 plenty of pictures for memories!! Leave all the extra stressful tasks for when they are down for nap or down for bedtime but its best to make it early & you are being productive for yourself & keeping them on track for new school year again.
For several years now, my kids and I have made the month of June “Celebrate Daddy Month.” (His birthday, Father’s Day, and our anniversary all fall in June.) We make cards for him, slip him little treats, leave notes around for him, etc all month. It is a fun way to let them be “sneaky” and creative. We’ve even been known to paint rocks with letters and arrange into messages for him on the sidewalk. 🙂
Stay connected with other moms. Summer is the time when bible studies and mom’s groups typically take a break, so finding other ways to still connect over the busy summer months is especially difficult. We still need that fellowship in the summer!
My summer sanity saving tip … play dates. I get some of my lady friends together and let the kids play. We change locations. We have play dates at my house, the splash pad, a park, the movies, or even restaurant with a play center. This keeps the kids busy and us ladies connected.
Sometimes I splurge on paper plates and cups and let them have all their meals outside, and I get the added bonus of very little dishes for the day.
We live in WA state so my tip is to be outside as much as possible! Read outside, eat outside, cook outside, sleep outside (naps) and let the inside chores go until after little ones are asleep.
My sanity saver is to just plan a few things…the school year is so busy with schedules and activities, summer is our time to relax and not have a hefty schedule to follow. It really helps that my husband is a school teacher and is able to be home during the summer to help with kids! 🙂 (I mean REALLY, REALLY helps!!!!!!) We’ll plan 1 “major” activity per week, but that can be a simple outing to a different near-by city’s park or pool or out to eat at a special restaurant.
My summer sanity saver is simply keeping up with the electric bill. Gotta make sure the A.C. is going!
Our sanity saver is waking up earlier than the children, spending time in God’s Word, praying with my husband, and then talking with my husband. The children know that they are able to sit in their beds and read or play quietly, but they do not leave their room until the radio begins to play. 🙂 Priceless and necessary to keep us on track, during the summer and beyond. I’m also looking forward to preparing a means for our children to play with their cars in the dirt (we don’t have a yard); this will entertain them for hours and encourage us to be outside, interacting with our neighbors.
I always have fixins on hand for a cookout at the fire pit. The kids all love it and we spend time playing charades by the fire.
I love sitting by the fire pit, but never thought of playing charades. That sounds like fun. We like to make hobo pies by the fire pit and share them with friends.
I am not a spontaneous person, I plan everything. However, I like to take the summer a little more relaxed and do things spur of the moment. Like take a picnic at the park or beach when my husband gets home from work. Take the dogs for a walk on at the park or beach. Go for a ride to find a great place to take photos of the sunset. Since it is still light outside when he gets home and we are recent empty nesters, this is an activity I enjoy.
My sanity saving trip is a membership to the Zoo, taking the kids to the park to feed the ducks all while taking a cooler filled with goodies my husband makes (trying to keep it organic/healthy). I have 2 boys and 1 girl, all under 7yrs old. Dressing the kids in their favorite summer gear (we take LOTS) of photos, we try to take goofy ones, serious ones… just fun pictures. We will try to hit up as many “free” activities being offered. Playdate at the park, swimming at grandparents, stopping at a field and picking wildflowers.Even just taking a drive around downtown for them to see the “old” buildings gives my husband and I a moment to relax and talk, while kids are in the back with an ice cream cone!
This will be my first summer home with my children and not working full time. So I have no great ideas, I am getting them here 🙂
Thank goodness my children LOVE to be outside!!
My sanity goal this summer is to take one day at a time and enjoy it. I usually try to sock too much into the summer, always looking to the future. All I get is tired and grumpy kids and a frustrated mommy. I’m going to wake up to enjoy each day that God gives us this summer and enjoy my children before they are grown.
I let each child pick their favorite meal for dinner one night a week and have them help prepare it. We also do dinner from the garden one night a week. Picking only garden veggies and making a meal out of it.
I nanny during the summer so I always have multiple bags for various activities. I get all my bags (lunch bag, backpack, library bag) from the day cleaned out as soon as I get home and restocked with everything I need for the next day. Then it’s ready to grab and go the next day!
Be flexible with my menu. On cool days be ready to make something in the oven on hot days cook up leftovers on the stove. Also have lots of hot dogs and tuna on hand for those really hot days.
Summer is such a hectic time. The days are longer and it only seems natural to try to “stuff” even more into every waking moment. So, I am determined to live out
1 Peter 5:7-9, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith…” (NLT)
I love how the Amplified Bible translates the beginning of verse 8: “Be well balanced.” A practical way to apply this is to choose to nurture myself spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically each day. If you ask my family they’ll tell you, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” So being well balanced is a real sanity saver at our house!
On Thursday evenings during the summer you’ll find the Porch Pals gals gathered on my front porch. In years past we’ve used books by Kelly Minter and Angie Smith as a springboard for Bible study, and this year we’re looking forward to diving into the pages of Unglued. There’s nothing like sharing God’s Word, a glass of sweet tea, and a whole lot of laughter and tears to nurture our spirits and grow closer together! Lysa, thanks so much for inspiring women to be the best version of who God created them to be!
I have three boys ages 3,2, and 5 mo an the best thing I’ve found as a sanity saver is making time to be in the presence of God. I know it sounds like a “no duh”, but it isn’t always easy. However it IS nescessary!!!! When I have alone time with God I’m a better mom and have more peace!
A fun sanity saver for kids is making messes outside!!! They can eat spaghetti with their hands or roll around in paint or so whatever then just wash me off by playing in the sprinkler! 🙂 Sanity saver AND good memories!
Summer sanity tip: always keep a beach bag packed with towels, juice boxes & snacks. That way when you want to get there quickly (with 3 kids in tow) you can just head for the door.
We do as many outdoor activities as we can. Go to the zoo for a day, or run in the sprinkles. Nothing takes the anger level down then watching your kids run through a sprinkler. Or my fave, water balloons.
My summer sanity tip is to get outside! Enjoy the beauty of God’s creation…go on a walk with a friend…take your kids to a park…ride bikes with your hubby…etc.
I hope to be able to help out with our 9 grandchildren this summer, even if it’s for afternoons at the pool or at my house, a few at a time so I can enjoy each one and have energy for it! We’re planning a week at the beach as a family, and I’m planning to try to give the parents a little bit of a reprieve with their children while we’re there. The key is to spend quiet time in prayer and Bible study before doing anything else, though!
Our goal is to explore something new around our area on a weekly basis. Kind of like a staycation. We have a list of things we’d like to do.
Crockpot / Grill cooking
A schedule of some sort(flexible of course)
At least one camp to break up the summer “boredom”
One day only set aside for laundry 🙂
As much time spent on the lake as possible
and lots and lots of hugs!
One of my favorite things about summer is lots of salads & BBQ, but I love to mix things up a bit & have ice cream nachos for dinner a few times. My kids love it & it helps to bring the fun if summer to dinner!
My tip is to let the kiddos sleep in and not over-plan their schedule. I still keep them involved in some activities, but we try to take it easy so we can go on day adventures to the beach, etc. This keeps us all more relaxed during the summer and I can get work done in the morning while they sleep. 🙂
My kids have one day a week where they are home all day with a sitter. Throughout the year I keep a board on Pinterest of easy things to do and make. Every weekend the kids and I look at the board and they pick an activity, things like making goo or a new brownie recipe. I make sure we have the supplies, print the instructions and leave all for the sitter.
Thanks for the recipes. The ice cream sounds interesting. I may have to try it.
I’d love to be blessed in winnjng the Amazon gift card.
Thank you, Lisa, for all you do.
Summer sanity… I try to plan with the kids a list of what they want to do this summer… Free… Under $10… Etc! I am a teacher so we do summer bridge books to keep their skills polished…it has fun science experiments we can do! We do keep a little routine in place…of course it includes the pool! 😉
With two wild and crazy boys, one pre-K and one in elementary, I absolutely must keep them busy. I usually plan for my oldest to attend a local VBS and a extra curricular type camp at least once in the summer. But my next sanity saver would be this: chill out and rest! Even if you have to schedule it in like I do, create some margin in your summer months. Give your family a chance to relax and make some good old fashioned memories together, whether its cooking, crafting or camping! Life goes by too fast; don’t miss the small moments!!!
I usually look out for good deals to help fill our summer days. We buy 1 or 2 memberships to Six Flags, the zoo, a museum, etc. Memberships provide great savings; and we can visit that place as often as we want to all year. I also try to keep an eye out for any good family activities on Groupon, Living Social, and the other daily deal websites. You can usually find some good saving on many family friendly places. Summer is also a good time for playdates with friends and some relaxing days at home or at the pool. And, as a teacher, I always try to include activities to keep my kids’ minds sharp! Don’t forget to have some DEAR time each day – Drop Everything And Read!!!
Join a produce coop and get lots of great fruits and veggies to enjoy, and you often get as much as two bushel baskets full for around $15.
I also like to keep a summer goodie bag in the car and stroller, that way no matter what is going on we can always take a little break and blow bubbles or play in the sandbox at the local park.
Finally I stock up on spray sunscreen when on sale and coupons are out. I stash it everywhere, purse, car, stroller, hobby’s car, etc. This way our fun is never derailed by not having enough sunscreen when we want to keep having spontaneous fun.
With 6 kids I need lots of sanity savers! I make sure we always have a good supply of outdoor toys, especially water toys. It keeps them entertained for hours! We also like to have outdoor movie nights. Kids really look forward to them.
Pizza and chocolate: My two favorite weaknesses!!! Can’t wait to try both recipes! My summer sanity is God, mocha, journal, family, and friends.
Hiking, relaxing and forces me to be quiet and spend time with God.
My kids love anything to do with getting wet… So when we stay home and they’re itching for playtime. We turn the sprinkler on the trampoline.
Stay by the pool as long as possible and stay out of the kitchen as much as possible 🙂 we do a lot of salads and fruit and everything goes on the grill even homemade pizzas!!
I’m a teacher so I need a schedule tip make sure the summer doesn’t slip away too fast. The most important thing is to include special fun time with my kids because they grow up too fast!
I make sure we have a ”hole-free” kiddie pool and food we can pack to have a picnic at a park or even just after swimming in the backyard. We also set up the tent in the backyard when the weather is nice and have a ”camp-out”. These save money (and time if u don’t want to pack up and go somewhere camping) and keep summer fun for the kids.
My summer sanity saver tip is spending plenty of time at the pool (with sunscreen of course)! I also like to enjoy lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Grilling out is a fun summer time activity too.
Week Day Campfires!!! The ease and joy of camping right in the backyard. It puts everyone in a good mood and it’s virtually self service. Aluminum foil packets stuffed with your choice of veggies and diced chicken, pork or beef, seasoned as you wish! Then a family game of ladder ball or bean bag toss. Getting outside brings us all closer to our Creator!
Frozen grapes are a good way to cool down in the summer. You can even add some grape jello mix to a bag of washed grapes and freeze them, they are yummy!!
Frozen blueberries are one of my kiddos favorite treats during the summer and really all year long. They also make the best green smoothies when you add blueberries with frozen spinach, frozen strawberries, frozen pineapple and some orange juice. I can get my kids to each a lot of spinach if I make into a smoothie.
Summer sanity: just be thankful. Enjoy it. Be mindful, always try to be aware of the many blessings He provides: iced tea, more time with the kids, outdoor church services in the breeze, sunshine, thunderstorms… How can one not be thankful? 🙂
We spend the hot summer days at our community pool- my kids get to swim and wear off some energy while I can catch up with and pray with my sweet friends! Win-win:). Then home for a simple dinner in the a/c:)
finding one day a week to get up before anyone else and enjoy the quiet with open windows, ceiling fans and a cup of peppermint tea. it’s amazing what our hearts and minds can hear in those few moments of peace.
Just a good book, a hammock and a glass of tea!
Grilling, pool, library days, frozen fruit to make smoothies, salads, family, friends… ah, summer is almost here! So thankful God gives us different seasons.
My kids love going to VBS at our church, and I get a little extra time to tackle small home projects. We also like to hang out in the backyard, so I have different buckets of stuff to play with- bubbles, chalk, balls, water toys, etc. And plenty of freeze pops ready for friends!
My plan to save my sanity this summer is to KEEP THE KIDS BUSY!!! Being that we live in south Texas and the temperature will be in 100s, we will be spending a lot of time poolside or at the beach!
My summer sanity saving tip is to keep a supply of washcloths which have been dampened with water and placed in a ziplock bag in the freezer for those hot summer days when you need to cool off quick. Remove and place on forehead, neck or face for a quick refresher from the hot summer sun.
My sanity saver tip is that the kids “to do” list must be done before they get their electronics. Hopefully this will motivate them to get moving in the morning so we can play during the day and I don’t sound like a broken record.
Easy summer meals, a quiet rest time with a book recharges everyone, a slow relaxing pace all keep summer in balance for our family.
Lots of salads with some sort of cold protein on top like cooked salmon! And we have green smoothies every day, not just in summer, to boost our greens intake. The kids love ’em, too. When we used to eat gluten, I made a cold chopped baguette and tomato salad that was wonderful for the muggy summers in Japan, but maybe I could try to do that with some gluten-free bread instead. Or tomatoes and quinoa would be superb, with some torn basil and EVOO and lemon juice. Yum.
And don’t forget to turn on the sprinkler for the kids (and parents, too!).
My summer sanity saver is to use my crock pot. It is so great to start dinner early in the day, leaving time to enjoy the pool or other activities with your family, and return to dinner being ready.
One of my ways to stay sane in the summer is to keep meal planning simple. Make a nightly theme and then it’s not so hard. Monday is “Mexican” (so each Monday/month is themed but not always the same). Tuesday is “Time Saving Tuesday” so it might just be soup/sandwiches etc., Wednesday is…you see what I mean. You can fill in the blank/come up with your own themes. That way the kids/family know what is coming (within reason) and it makes meal planning/prep and shopping easier. Friday is always fun food night. I let a kid/week choose their favorite food. We rent Redbox movies and have fun foods. It’s a blast.
Getting overheated can make one miserable. Keep a damp microfiber cloth handy to wrap around your neck to cool you down.
Thanks for these recipes. I enjoy recipes where the food is both healthy and yummy! (to balance off my sweet tooth!) Thanks for posting these and can’t wait to try them out! I’d love to hear how your running is going. I used to run alot pre-children, and now, I’m out of shape, and I recall from your “More than a Bible Study Girl” how you talked about just running to a mailbox on your street-that was really inspirational! I know to start somewhere.
Having alot of salads and easy meals.
I love to put little” drops” of yogurt on wax paper and stick it in the freezer! Perfect healthy little snack for my toddlers!
Just add water! 🙂 Pool, water play, or a hose! Entertains the kids for hours!
Season passes to our local amusement park. We love being able to go as a family whenever we want and not have to worry about the crowds.
Love these recipes I have one where you make chocolate (gluten free sugar free and dairy free) mouse the secret ingredient is DATES -and not the kind you drag your husband out on! It was delicious: I am learning not to judge (not only people but healthy foods) the Lord is at work! My idea is going out with your family on a photo scavenger hunt. You can take pictures around town with different people taking turns and heading to spots that are special to your family. You can have a list of spots to complete. Then go back to the living room for a viewing of the best ones. Totally free and is great conversation. You never know who will be deemed the best photographer in the family for the day. Love all the ideas thanks Lysa! Blessings In Christs Wonderful Name -Jackie
I love cauliflower and can’t wait to try the pizza recipe! Time outside is what is a sanity saver at our house! With 4 boys in our house, I enjoy that they would rather be outside every moment of the day than inside. Truth is, I would rather be playing in sand, or building forts over doing laundry ANY DAY! 🙂
Since fresh veggies and fruit are always available during summer it’s easy to prepare a lot of meals ahead that are healthier, like veggie lasagna (replace noodles with squash and zucchini slices) and my favorite… Fresh fruit smoothies!
My Summer Sanity Saver……is maybe different than most. For me, I throw the planning and the schedule out the window. c: And save my sanity by enjoying the day with the family! Read books outside on a blanket in the back yard, with snacks and drinks to enjoy. An afternoon of simplicity, family and love. c: Now I’m ready for summer just thinking about it!! Thank you for your books and encourage words!! <3
I don’t really have a special tip to share except that in the summer time, our schedule is much more laid back. Thanks for offering such a generous gift! We love books and I could buy LOTS of books with the Amazon gift card! 🙂
My summer sanity savers are simply to let go of all of the strict school year schedules, let loose and have pleanty of fun making memories as a family. Lots of camping, trips to the river, hiking, reading, water balloon fights, games, movie nights, slumber parties, vbs, famliy bbqs, trips to the park, etc.Good old fashioned fun and quality time as a family is what it’s all about!
2 words Road Trips!
Kids play outside with the neighborhood kids and my husband cooks dinner on the grill!
Hi Lysa,
I had seen the recipe for the crust last fall, and was afraid to try it. Just maybe this will push me into it. Thank you for all you do and look forward to seeing you in the fall at WOF in Portland. Can’t wait.
May God be ever closer to you today.
Sylvia
I try to prepare in advance light dinners that I can put together easily and makes everyone happy. A big pasta salad with vegetables and chicken will make everybody happy and last at least two meals.
I can not wait until this summer! Our YMCA has a waterpark that my kids LOVE! We go almost every day all summer. I pack snacks and we have a blast! We need to get together Lysa since we are so close to Charlotte now!
Lori
~The Bargain Shopper Lady
Have you tried spaghetti squash? My husband and I love it.
My Summer Sanity Tip is getting a season pass to the local pool – all the fun but no maintenance.
With children… get in the kitchen together – with easy recipes; small “at-home” science experiments are always fun; simply riding bikes or taking a walk around the block may sound boring… for my 8-year old… this allows for us to have some nice conversation time :)..; a day at the library – plus they normally have a list of this activities that can be something different…. also, my son and I are planning to go paint pottery soon…. again, something different and not too expensive!!!!!!…. when all else fails,…. find a movie the whole family likes!!
I’m a big wimp and when the temp gets too high or the humidity is too great, you can find me inside enjoying the a/c BUT until then – early morning devotions and coffee on the deck with my hubby, grilling or cold suppers, long walks as the sun goes down – all help my sanity. Saving time and money. . . . I need to work on that!
Outdoor grilling and no cook main dishes – fast and simple so clean up is faster.
~ Outside in the morning, using up energy
~ Close up the house (drapes, windows, etc) and do quiet things like reading, watching a movie, drink lemonade
~ LIbrary, mall, Target, Wal-Mart on very hot days to cool off!
~ Special toys/games/movies that are brought out only occasionally.
WOW! Those recipes look interesting! I love the avocado one – we live in SE Asia & drink avocado shakes with a squirt of chocolate syrup so I would bet the ice cream is great too!!
We love salmon and cheese biscuits! I put butter and spices on a salmon steak and microwave for 5-8 minutes. Voila! It’s fast, easy, and VERY good for you. 🙂 The fun sides aren’t as good for you but they are equally easy: white rice, and cheese biscuits to rival Red Lobster’s: 2 cups Bisquick, 2/3 cup milk, big handful of cheese, sprinkle of garlic powder. Mix and drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes and brush with butter then sprinkle with garlic salt. Dinner takes 20 total minutes and it’s my family’s FAVORITE!! Happy summer eating. 🙂
Make sure the frog toggs are nice and cold in the fridge for an easy grab out the door to the ballfields. Love being at the ballfields all summer with family and friends 🙂
Loved the puzza recipe as my hysband is from NY and loves pizza. My summer saving sanity tips would be do less of everything and more of free easy things. Eat out less, cook less but grill more. Use a/c less open windows more. Take advantage of free outdoor festivals and fun activities more. Keep things simple, quick, and easy more stress less!
Using the grill, stovetop, and crockpot rather than my oven, which makes my house hot, hot, hot!
The heat plus a hot oven going makes my kitchen into a sauna so BBQ or a crockpot are my sanity savers!
Summer can get very hectic, so my son and I make a habit of having breakfast out on our deck on Saturday mornings. It’s still cool enough in the morning before the sun hits that side of our house. We sit outside and enjoy God’s beauty and talk about all kinds of things. It’s a great way to spend quality down time during such a busy season.
Simply summer…freezing favorite fruity drinks in ice cube tray for a quick summer drink with 7 up or sprite. Even lemon aide. To make lemons out of lemon aide always make that child smile and buy from their lemonade stand. Then you have built confidence in this child.
My summer sanity tip would be to spend a fun and relaxing day with your best girlfriend. Take the whole day to relish in alot of fun leisure activities that you enjoy doing whether it be time seeing a movie, buying a new outfit, going to lunch at your favorite restaurant, seeing a local play at the theater, going to a ballgame, etc. The best part of the day is just spending some quality time with that sister in Christ who means alot to you. While you are away having fun, you have to remember to sit aside all your problems and not ponder over them. This day should be all about fun and nothing more.
Sanity? How about AIR CONDITIONING when it’s 90 degrees outside and no bodies of water in sight 😉
My summer sanity saving-tip would be to not over schedule yourself or your kids. This was always my time with my children when we didn’t have to run off to dance, sports, and/or music lessons, etc.. But to keep my kids mind from going to mush during the summer, I would have them do 2-3 pages from a workbook (appropriate to their grade) in the morning, then we’d go to the pool in the afternoon, or go on a picnic, or find a new fun playground to hang out at.
I’m not sure I will be sane this summer! I’m having baby number two in July. 🙂 My advice to myself and you is to trust God and listen for his voice! Let him be your guide and try not to sweat the small stuff. That’s the only thing that will be keeping me sane in the summer months ahead!
Saving sanity? Time alone at the feet of Jesus, worshipping, loving and being loved.
Summer means sleeping in to any time past 5:30 and then sitting in the morning Sonshine on my front porch. It is so calming to read about God’S purpose for me and then challenge myself to put it into actio throughout the day!
My tip would be to savor the days with the kids! Enjoy visiting fun and educational attractions or your own backyard with the perspective that all time together is a blessing.
Continue to use a family calendar! A lot of times this gets forgotten in the summer months, but keep using it all summer so you don’t get over scheduled!
We enjoy the pool. So, I keep a bag with pool gear on my coat hooks by the door, then we always know where it is. Saves us from getting to the pool without goggles, sunscreen, etc. ABout 3+ times a week I pack water bottles and pool snacks (usually fruit and pretzels) and head out. We stay as long as we are having fun. I love summertime as it gives me more time with my kids and these days are so relaxing and we always come home having met new friends or created new memories together. WHen the kids were little we loved to go to the Summer Movie Club movies. for $3 a piece we got our ticket, mini popcorn and small drink. It was such a bargain sitting in the cold theatre watching movies together. Both of these activities are our favorites even now as we can afford to spend more than we ever could back then. 🙂
I always have fresh fruits & veggies available, especially salad fixings. That way if we’ve been outside most of the afternoon & it’s super hot and we don’t feel like cooking, we can grab a healthy, quick, light dinner.
We are going to do homeschool over the summer but we are going to take lots of fun breaks going to splash pads and pools. We are also going to go blueberry picking for the first time.
Summer Time I usually treat myself to a pool membership. I enjoy relaxing by the pool and reading all the books I never seem to get to otherwise. Winter seems to keep me cooped up in the house when I am not working, so I find some project to do.
We hang laundry outside and cook meals in our slow cooker by leaving the slow cooker on the front porch! We have outlets on the porch, so we get a slow-cooker meal without having the heat in the kitchen!
Grocery list and meal plan!! Makes shopping with the kids so much easier!
Wow! Those recipes look so awesome! Will definitely have to try them!
I’m a student right now, so my Summers actually are slower than the school year. Unlike others who are struggling with keeping sane due to too many activities, I struggle with staying sane from boredom!!! (I know, crazy, right?!?!) So after the first week or so of sleeping in and catching up, I start going a little wacky. My tips for this end of Summer Sanity would be: SERVE! Find needs you can meet. You’ll have something to do, plus you’ll be blessing another person.
Also, digging into a good book helps. I know I do a lot of extra reading in the Summer (Which is why I’m soooo excited about the possibility of winning a $250.00 gift card! I’m a book lover, and would totally freak out if I won!!)
🙂
I always have our towels, sunscreen, etc packed in a tote ready to go, so when we need a fast escape to the local splashpad it only takes minutes to get out the door!
Summer is not the time to sleep in! I am determined to be an early riser this summer! Why? Because, I want to get gardening and walking done before we hit the most sweltering part of the day. It’s just good stewardship of my time and energy! 🙂
~Linda L. Martin
http://www.lindalmartin.com
http://www.ernestmartinjr.com
I always try to keep the pool bag packed and ready by the front door so that when that spur of the moment craving for the pool or water park comes, we are ready and everything (swimsuits too- they go from the drying rack to the bag) is in one place. It keeps me from running around throwing things in the bag at the last minute and usually means I don’t forget anything.
I’m currently pregnant with our first baby, and babysit a couple of friends’ toddlers. Last summer I took advantage of little walks – even just around our yard – and would let them “help” with picking veggies and watering the garden. And once kiddos were down for naps I’d try to catch some sun, even if it was just while hanging laundry out on the clothesline!
Go to your closest State Park, and check out the guides and info. that they offer for more LOCAL fun family opportunities! Saves travel time and gas money!
Ernest
Five galloon buckets of water on the hot days for the little ones to play in is a special treat. For Mommy, a dip in the kiddie pool always helps me out! 🙂
Be sure to have plenty of indoor activities ready to go. Rainy days or blistering hot ones are just NO fun!!
(Tried to comment earlier, but now not seeing it up there, so I’ll post again, and am sorry if it gets posted twice!!)
Wow! Those recipes look awesome! Will have to try them!!
I’m a student right now, so the Summer is actually less busy than the school year. Unlike those who suffer from staying sane from too many activities, I struggle with staying sane from boredom. (I know, crazy, right?!?!) After the first couple weeks of sleeping in and catching up, I struggle to keep from going wacky! My tip for this end of The Summer Sanity is: SERVE. It gives you something to do, and it blesses another person.
Also, digging into a good book is helpful. I know I do a lot of reading in the Summer. (Which is why I’m soooo excited about the possibility of winning a $250.00 gift card!! I would definitely buy books-I’m kind of book crazy! 😉
Thanks 🙂
I think the best way to stay sane during the summer is to not try to do everything!
I keep plenty of arts and crafts on hand
A fun summer sanity saving-tip is to discover your own backyard! Instead of stressing out over planning, packing, traveling, & over spending research your hometown and county. There are always activities at the library, museums to visit, parks to picnic & walk in. Lots of freebies are there for the taking. Take adventure hikes, fish, skip rocks , lay on a blanket or in a hammock and read to each other. But be careful you might just discover your family actually likes to spend time together and can talk to each other without using their thumbs!
This is our plan this summer..history parks, historic places, state parks, etc etc..;) all nearby so we don’t usually think of going there
We go to the lake quite a bit. It has a beach area, potty/shower area, shade trees, picnic area, and a playground. Just a fabulous way to burn off energy and eat up time 🙂
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My best tip would be to take time in the evening to just sit outside and watch the sun set and enjoy the beauty of a summer evening. It can get so hectic, but these are some of the most beautiful times of summer, and it helps to calm and rejuvenate you to sit back and enjoy it.
I would say it is to get out early in the morning before the heat can get to you.
10-10-10 Is this a 10 minute issue? a 10 month issue? or a 10 year issue?
Have a great summer ladies!!
We live in a place that gets hot and humid for most of the summer, so I plan quite a few air-conditioned outings for the kids and myself. Library storytime, mall kid events, indoor playsets/jumping places, etc. We can get out of the house without spending too much time in the heat.
My favorite summer sanity tip is for families with elementary age kids – don’t schedule too much! It is so easy to plan day after day of activity, pool time, etc… but don’t! Some of the best days we have during the summer involve squirt toys from the dollar store and bathing suits in the backyard. Our dollar tree has tubes that you can dip the end in a cooler full of water, pull back the end and it sucks full – much easier for the little guys than trying to fill the little resouivars of squirt guns – then just push the end in and the water sprays out. I bought a ton of them for $1.00 each, and we have neighborhood kids come and go, squirting each other all day long! That, plus a big bowl of watermelon makes us the hit of the ‘hood.
We try to make the most of our summers together. My husband gave up coaching high school ball two summers ago, to spend more time with our 3 kids. We both work in the school system, so all five of us are home together during the summer. We spend most of our days at their grandmother’s pool, laughing and playing with family. We also like to take advantage if the free summer movies at the local theater. Most importantly, we enjoy a family vacation to Florida. It’s nice to escape the everyday hustle and bustle of home responsibilities, sports, dance, etc…and just enjoy time together.
Check out your local library’s summer reading program. Free, fun, and a great incentive to get your kids reading. Our library had an adult summer reading program too.
Take advantage of free programs in the air conditioning at the library! Also, get a membership to the local nature center, zoo, or museum. You’ll get your money’s worth and support the community at the same time.
Take advantage of of all free and low cost activities like the park, library, VBS, your own backyard can be fun! Campout nights, movie nights, crafts..
Can’t wait to try this crust
My husband is always fussing about piazza being all dough i hope this will be the answer i have been looking for
Thanks so much for the tip
I try to do fun things with the kids but we also don’t have a huge schedule. Enough of that during the school year! Lots of pool time and fun activities and take them as they come. I also tend to enjoy natures bounty in the summer and eat easy, fresh meals. My favorite go to when the tomatoes come in are BLT’s!
I like that quiet time when mom and kids curl up with a book and read!
I always have the pool bag packed and ready to go so we can head out at a moment’s notice. I also toss a few Capri Suns in the freezer to use in a cooler as ice packs and then drinks at the end of the day when they have thawed. Anything to stay cool at the pool!
My summer sanity tip is for those who want to avoid turning on the oven or standing at a hot stove during the hottest part of the day to prepare dinner. Be on the lookout for recipes that can be prepared early in the day and then reheated in the microwave or a toaster oven; foods that are served cold (such as salads); and foods that can be prepared outdoors on the grill. As you accumulate these recipes, put them together in an inexpensive photo book and place a cute insert in the front cover to label them something like “Summer Fare” or “Easy Summer Suppers”. And Voila! You’ll have a whole summer’s worth of meal ideas and you’ll keep your house nice and cool by not using the oven during the hottest part of the day!
My tip would be that I assigned each of my 4 kids a color. I try to buy things in that color: beach towels, travel cups, tote bags, etc, so this way at a quick glance I know whose item is left out in the van or on the floor (or whose item is missing from what we need).
Put a picnic table outside and feed the kiddos lunch outside EVERY day, so much less mess. Put the bottom of the slide in the kiddie pool. Put a sprinkler under the trampoline. Get a sandbox (and a lid). Mine are all teens now, MISS THOSE DAYS!
This is a simple one, but it does save me some sanity. My husband and I have four kids ages 9-13. We live in the country, so we run all of our errands in one trip. This means several hours in and out of the hot vehicle. My rule for the summer is everyone brings their refillable water bottle while we drive. This has saved me from having to stop at a convenience store to pile everyone in to pick out a drink. We save time, money, and calories on the tempting sugary drinks. My kids are old enough that I just announce to get shoes and water bottles and load up. Saves me sanity!!
Premake hamburger a bulk amount of patties and freeze with parchment paper in between. Always prepared for a barbeque!
Looking forward to meeting with some women a couple of times over the summer to review you book UNGLUED. Our vacation this summer will be mini overnights-trying to do Williamsburg…
The summer is a time to enjoy to enjoy being outside. Sanity savers are bubbles and chalk for my two girls, grilling for dinner almost every night, slip n slides, trips to the pool, picnics at the park, trips to the playground. Enjoying the outdoors!
I use my slow cooker a lot and I cook on the patio, so I don’t heat the house.
Make time for picnics and fun family things!!
We spend a lot of time swimming – the kiddos almost always take afternoon naps, if we spend the morning in the pool!
We sit on the deck each night and enjoy the sunset, after working all day, then coming home to kids, gardens, animals and lots of yard work, the deck helps us re-connect.
Seeing some great ideas! As an emptry nest family it is great to remember old times. Serve/Invest in others. Don’t overcommit. Make family a priority. Grow in God and His grace.
I love to soak my feet in a little plastic swimming pool drinking chilled coffee and watching my grandkids play! 🙂
I try to keep all of our meals simple and straight from the garden. This saves both time and money. I also turn much of the meal preparation over to our children so that they are better prepared to take care of themselves. I feel as though it is a win*win*win* all the way around!
My tip is to schedule. Each day maybe Mon craft day, Tues library, Wed pool, Thurs park and the same with meals. Crockpot, grill, etc. keeps the cry of “I’m bored” down and adds the security of knowing what is next.
Fresh lemonade, fruit and veggies!! Love summer except for the heat!!
My Summer savings secret is really a year round “secret”;-) We’ve been without a cooktop or oven since Nov & had to use the crockpot to fix everything for our family of 7 for the past 5 mos. I’ve learned you can make pretty much anything in the crockpot!! Look for recipes online & try it. Might just save you some time so you can spend your days with your family instead of in front of the stove! My favorite was finding out I can make delicious granola in the crockpot! Plus if you use a crockpot- you have to plan ahead. Which means you will always have dinner ready!! Yay!!
Saving Money is always a good thing. When my kids were younger I tried to buy clothes, coats, and shoes on clearance for the following year. Now that they are teens we watch for early bird sales on name brand clothes or shop a teen resale shop. By doing this we can get much high quality made clothing for the same price or less then the cheaper made or brand clothes. Another way we save is by buying sports drinks and snacks at warehouse stores or when there’s a good sale at grocery stores. This saves us 50-70% from buying them at the concession stands. That’s alot when you have games or practices almost every day.
My favorite cheap summer get a way is camping with family and friends. It’s cheap, relaxing, and lots of fun!
My best summer tip is to gather all the various summer events that we might want to do and put them on month at a glance calendars. Then I can see any conflicts, and decide which event would work best. Also, I try to plan an unscheduled week every other week or at least one with very minimal outside activities so we can enjoy just being at home.
Can’t wait to try those recipes- looooove stuff that is healthy and delicious! My summer sanity saver is a more laid back attitude. i have to make a conscious effort at this, but i enjoy days where we don’t have too much activity and we can just enjoy a slower pace and a bit of simplicity. Not every summer day is a lazy day, but if I can just ” let go” every now and awhile, it keeps me sane for the days when the pace is up and the schedules are filled 🙂
We love lots and lots of unstructured time in the backyard. I don’t worry about dirt or water and they can spend hours out there!
Yes!! Exactly;)
Lots of time hiking and being outdoors! Thank you for the opportunity! 🙂
Lysa,
Thanks for the GREAT recipes. I would have never have thought you could use califlower in a pizza crust or use avacodo with chocolate to make ice cream! Both of the recipes sound truly delicious. I am gonna try some this coming week after going to the grocery store for the ingredients.
My Summer Sanity Tip would be to remember: “We can not do all we WANT to do nor are we suppose to; only WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO!!! We need to make sure that we are “praying and seeking God’s direction in what He wants us to do, not what we think we should do or volunteering for things no one else will do, but especially we should be seeking what God’s says our calling is and do that!
With summer also comes VBS, SuperWow, and some where our vacation should come in. As a pastors wife and a disabled person with a chronic pain and energy disorder, I find it hard now to juggle my schedule even more than when I was able to work. My mind thinks I am still able to do all I use to be able to do and then I end up not doing anything to completetion and that is not good at all. I know better than this, I have studied and read about doing this, I tell others when I counsel with them not to do this! This is just a Hard one to follow if you are a type A personality! I keep praying, asking God for direction and help, also I try not to be so hard on myself!
God is Good all the time and we must remember not to get caught up in the “DO” mode and miss out on “Precious Little Things in Life”, like a dinner with a friend or two, or visit a older family member that lives alone or in a nursing home.
We need to slow down and enjoy, what God gave us, a beautiful world!
BELIEVE,
Wendy Evans
God Bless You and give you the grace you need. My heart feels for you and your struggle with disabilities that I have also…chronic pain, fatigue, low immunity and cancer now for the 3rd time. I can relate to what you wrote and it was a good reminder to me! Thanks for sharing your heart. You may relate to my “long” comment…(yours made me feel better) : ) Mine should be #330…it says it’s awaiting moderation? We’ll see what happens I guess. Godspeed, Lori
As a busy Pastor’s wife with 5 kids under the age of 8, my favorite summer sanity saver is to relax about everything -except building stronger relationships with my husband and kiddos. I let the house go a little. No classes or sports. We focus on making fresh, raw fruit/veggie meals that are less time-cosuming. Little to no tv and as much outdoor time as the Texas heat allows. Usually it’s just local or home activities for us, but this summer we can finally afford to go on our first ever family vacation! So, slightly busier this coming summer, but even on vacation we plan to keep our schedule light and just focus on each other. There are some exciting, life-long memories waiting to be made!
Our favorite spring/summer sanity saver is to unwind and go camping. We love an unplugged weekend, gathered around the campfire and S’mores! Need I say more?
Utilize the library. Ours has a summer reading program for kids and teens. We combine this with the one from Barnes and Noble to earn a free book. Also having a tote packed with sunscreen, snacks, towels, goggles, helps us to make a quick get away to the swimming pool.
My summer sanity saver tip is to keep it simple. So often we are focused on keeping our kids “entertained” when really learning to play creatively and using their imaginations is so much better than us supplying a daily “to do” list. Take them to the park. Let them play with kids in the neighborhood. Don’t put the pressure on yourself to be their “cruise director” and don’t over-schedule everyone so no one can get bored. That doesn’t work either. Make sure there is down time built into your daily life.
Play time outside with a sprinkler.
Free bowling is awesome! We go to the summer reading program at our local library then head to free bowling 😉
A great summer tip is to have lots of fruit and veggies cut up in the fridge ready for healthy snacks when kids come in from the heat. Thanks for the great recipes!
My summer sanity saver tips: First, ladies, multitask in a good way- enjoy nature, get exercise and have a quality time with the Lord all at once by going for a walk each morning with your Ipod. you can listen to podcast messages, praise music or even your audio Bible. Great way to start the day– a boost in more ways than one.
Second, a great way to use up the last of fresh fruit before it spoils; and avoid feeling guilty about wasting is to puree (bananas, strawberries, peaches, blueberries etc.) in the blender with just a little water, then pour into ice cube tray and freeze. you can transfer to a Ziploc bag. use the frozen fruit cubes to make delicious (and nutritious) shakes or smoothies by blending the frozen fruit with milk ,juice, yogurt or ice cream. Your family will love it.
And finally, wear sunscreen and avoid sunburn, BUT if it does happen try this amazing remedy!! It sounded so strange to me that only desperation and pain made me try it. However it worked so well (much better than aloe vera or lotions) that now I tell everyone about it! Pour ordinary white vinegar into an empty spray bottle. and generously spritz the sunburned area, let air dry. (the vinegar odor is greatly reduced after it dries) It instantly cooled the burn and took away the pain for 8 hours!!! Truly a lifesaver. I hope you never get a sunburn, but if you do, try this– I’m a believer.
Summer sanity saver: I keep aloe vera in the fridge….when you or the kids are sunburned, nothing feels better on the skin than cold aloe vera!
I think my biggest sanity saver has been to part with items I don’t need. I was in desperate need of some new clothes. So after we got our small tax refund I took a couple hundred dollars and purchased 2 pairs of pants, 5 t shirts, and 3 new summer dresses. I removed everything from my closet and got rid of a ton of clothes. Now I can walk in my room and get dressed without having to dig through all those clothes.
I’ve started a binder of fun projects to do (things I’ve seen on blogs or Pinterest), places/things to do in town that are cheap (budget theater, zoo, etc.), and weekly trips to the library are a MUST!!!
Take. It. Slow. So we can take it all in. Summer in our part of the country (midwest) tends to be pretty short, so we try to keep our weekends as open as possible so we can enjoy the farmer’s market, a few days on the lake, and our neighbors/friends/family outside!
My Summer Sanity Saver would be for you to save money in just about every area of your life.You can save on groceries because we all know our children love to eat, you can save on clothes, you can save on family events, and BEST of all you can save on school supplies for the upcoming year. It will cost you no more than 2.50 a week depending on how many you want of it. It’s a Sunday Paper!!! COUPONING!! It’s the best time of year for you to really get into couponing!!! The kids are out of school so you’ll have the time to devote. Those popsicles and summer treats your kids love will be money savers!!! I hope this helps someone and you can start by going to couponmom.com which shows you the ropes and krazycouponlady.com. God Bless!!!
We do neighbor dinners where we all just grab whatever is in our fridge and meet out on the patio while the kids are playing. We come up with some pretty strange combinations, but we always have plenty to feed all of us. Best part – kids are always more likely to eat someone else’s leftovers!
My boys love to wash the vehicles. I can get them to help with chores using this as a “reward” plus I get my van washed! win-win =)
My summer sanity saving tip is to create several activity bags (with the instructions and materials to create a simple arts and crafts project, game, or outdoor activity.) Then, when boredom sets in, you pull out a bag and the kids are happy!
Since I am a homeschooling mom, summer to me means catching up on many tasks that go unfinished during the school year. While the work seems overwhelming at times, I try to be sure to spend fun time with my children and find some time to read some good books.
My summer sanity saver seems simple. I try to plan a couple of fun activities with friends (cheap or free) and then try to not live life in fast forward. That means lots of times to read, nap, take walks and play games. I figure I only have about 12 or 13 summers with my kids before they get busy with their friends and interests. I am trying to make the most of it!
I get a pool pass, pack up the kids & lots of food & spend the day at the pool.
Hmm..free activities story time at the library, chick film a playground ( sort of free?;), any playground really, ANY activity outside really, burning off energy.
We do try to stick to the same schedule and routine, bedtimes, etc..it just seems to work better?
And don’t try to schedule too many activities! Ask the kids what they want to do, maybe make a list and pick a few?;)
And meal planning..I use the crock pot and grill a lot in the summer, that way I can be outside more;)
I wash each child’s laundry as one load. I don’t separate colors. Child’s hamper load goes in the washer, then the dryer, then onto his/her bed. It’s that child’s job to put away his/her clothes. So much easier than putting all the families’ laundry into a pile, separating colors, doing a bunch of loads, re-separating and getting it to their closets.
Each child has 1 or 2 outfits (think not-so-great hand-me-downs) that are designated “outside clothes”. These are the clothes they always slip on when they go outside to play (we live in the country). They are free to get as dirty/muddy as they wish, but they need to switch into regular clothes when they come inside. Outside clothes get put in a plastic dresser that my husband put just inside our downstairs door (that way I don’t have to see or smell them ). Outside clothes only get washed every few weeks. This keeps my laundry down, house cleaner, and they are free to play as hard as they wish.
We have a small back deck with an awning so I am able to get the kiddos outside, even when I cannot be outside myself. There is a small table for snacks or messy play (playdoh, science concoctions, etc), a water table, and a sand table. With a little creativity and a few supplies, I can send them out and have a few minutes to be productive each and every day.
Would love to try those recipes!! I’m always looking for healthy substitutes!! Just spending lots of time outside with my little family!!
We make good use of the library and my husband always thinks up a few things for the kids to do to keep their minds busy, depending on age they might learn all the states in the USA, all the presidents in order, all the countries of the world one continent at a time, research a topic or location and do a powerpoint presentation or a report, usually related to our vacation plans,etc. They still have plenty of time to play and always feel proud of their accomplishments.
Can’t wait to try these recipes!
My Summer sanity tip is no comparisons: love yourself enough to say only good things about how you look in a bathing suit or shorts to yourself and others. Even if you have a goal you want to reach, reach for it, but give yourself grace for today. 🙂
I stay sane by letting the kids play outside in a little pool or with the sprinkler while I sit in the shade and sip iced tea while doing my bible study or reading a magazine. Fun for everyone!
My tip: remember to take time off from the never-ending to do list and actually enjoy time with the kids. The cleaning will still be there tomorrow. On the flip side, don’t take off too much time… Summer is a great time to run a little less and knock out some projects that never seem to make it to the top of the priority list. Nothing feels quite so good as crossing something non-urgent off my list!
Hang out with friends (both Mom and kids); tend to a small garden; go on walks in the morning and evening with the whole family.
Summers are filled with lots of family time. Since I am a teacher, the summer is our time to travel and spend time with family. Last summer my whole family got to spend
time together at my aunt’s lake house. The youngest family member was 6 months and the oldest was my 93 year old grandmother. The pictures I have from that trip are priceless.
Those recipes sound cool enough to want to try…no, really! Using the calendar on my smart phone that is sync’d up with my husband’s phone (so I can remind him of stuff too) and my PC calendar for EVERYTHING I need to remember. And I mean everything. This really takes the load off my poor brain. Sometimes I’ll use stickies for those items I want to do first thing in the morning and stick them to my bathroom mirror so I do them. Not having to remember ALL the stuff me and my husband have to do for our family saves my/our sanity! (Another one is being in a body of water as much as possible – our local pool is perfect!)
Going to the mountains as much as possible.
Serving others seems to take the heat out of the summer.
Visiting with friends and family as much as possible
Less baths for the kids due to lots of swimming. Score!
I have my kids do a few of the household chores so then I have more time to enjoy the summertime evenings once I get home from work.
Just taking a walk by myself in the fresh air and sunshine helps save my sanity especially after a long winter in Ohio.
I try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. After months of cold weather, I relish the opportunity to take walks, sit on my front step, soak up the sunshine, and get my hands dirty in the garden.
My summer sanity saver is having a small kiddie pool available for the kids and dogs to play in. I like having a spare one for the dogs to lie in whenever they get hot. I also like to use it bath the dogs outside. Our house gets pretty hot in the summer, so it’s nice to bathe them outside while sitting on the steps of the porch. Sometimes, I even like to stand in the pool and cool off.
I make up freezer meat packages so I can pull the meat pack out and let it thaw and marinate at the same time and when we are ready to eat we only have to cook the meat on the grill and grab some salad from the garden and dinner is served.
Take Advantage Of All The Free Or Low Cost Activities In Your Town. Movies, Bowling, Libraries, Parks. Just Because The Kids Are Off School Doesn’t Mean You Need To Break The Bank Entertaining Them.
My tip is to embrace summer and try not to get overwhelmed with too many extras. I think sometimes we as parents can overextend ourselves for the good of our children except they will enjoy simple activities as much as the large ones. Its no fun to plan and plan for the summer then just to be stressed.
The local movie theater shows free old movies on Tuesday nights which makes for great frugal summer date nights for me and my husband!
“Carpe Diem”! Seize the day!!! Whether you’re a wife, a mom, a single woman, a caregiver, a cancer patient as I am…or anyone else, life can get hectic and stressful. Take time everyday during this wonderful time of year to stop and chat with your neighbor, admire her flower garden and get to know her children. During the winter we scurry about with our heads down, clenching our hoods tightly to avoid the sting of cold on our faces. Now is the time to stop and be still, raise your face and hands to the sky and soak in the warmth of the sun, watch the birds flying above…really watch them and really listen to their song. When you hear those church bells ringing…stop…close your eyes and let their music resonate and allow your heart to leap with a joyous expression of love to Jesus, who made you and all the beauty around you. Sniff deeply those colorful, fragrant blossoming trees…and sniff again…and again. Sink your feet into the cool, wet sand and swirl them around and around and revel in the soothing feeling of a natural foot massage. As the sun is setting, don’t just glance in awe…chase it as far as you can to see it continuing beyond the trees and the hill and don’t stop watching until it sinks below the horizon and the palette of colors fade completely. Gather your own kindling and tinder and sticks in the woods and make your campfire and huddle by it’s warmth and stir the coals to and fro fixing your eyes on the intensity of the bright, various, constantly changing hues. Then tilt your head back as you gaze up at the moon, and clouds, and stars and just sit with the rhythm and hum of the little creatures in the woods. Sit and sit and sit some more. When you can’t keep your eyes open any more, not even a little bit, go in and lay your head on your pillow, smelling the lingering wood smoke, and smile. You will feel your Creator wrapping His arms of love around you. You, my friends, will know peace and tomorrow, sanity will follow you wherever you go.
BBQ outside and keep the house cool. Always have sun tea or lemon water ready in the refig. Enjoy – the years go quickly…
I love love love to shop the clearance racks in the summer (fall, winter and spring too 😛 )
During the summer we check out free programs our city offers. Reading program at the library with weekly preformers, movie nights at the park, bicycle rideo, running through the fountain, fairs etc.
Having a continuous supply of flavored freezer packs on hand for the kids to enjoy when it’s hot is a great summer saver. I enjoy kicking back outside and having one along with my kids. It makes for great conversation & is refreshing. A simple blessing!
The first week of summer we take off including all day pajamas and lounging around. The rest of the summer we do mornings outside until it gets too hot. After lunch is quiet reading time followed by dinner and down time. We take advantage of free library crafts and inexpensive VBS’s from area churches.
If you ever want to try some yummy products…We have the best glutenfree products in Phoenix, Az. Go to GlutenfreeCreations or GFCbakery. We have over 120 products…also mixes and flour. Ever in the area I will make sure you get a special treat!
Summer Sanity Savers for me include practicing art of RELAXING, then easy meals, using the grill, hanging out with good book on patio, spending lots of time outside & with friends.
Very interesting recipes!
My tip: Make sure your A/C is working well BEFORE the temperatures rise above 100 F!!! (bad experience :P) And to save money and your thirst, always bring a cooler with you when you go out filled with bottles of water to help you not give in and hit up the drive-thru 🙂
My sanity saving tip is simple. Say YES.
Say yes to children who want to play outside, read books, go to the park, go to the library, go to the book store to browse.
I have realized that I am happier and more sane when I default to yes rather than no.
(And when I have a stocked freezer to make saying yes possible!)
We love going to the free movie at the Rave on Tuesday or Wednesday and then heading to the free splash park to play in the water. Happy kids and happy mom…done!
My summer sanity saver is to just enjoy your kids! They’re only yours for a little while, so have fun! Go to the beach, a picnic, the zoo, etc… Find more reasons to say “yes” than “no”.
During the summer, we open all the windows at night and use fans to bring in the cool air. Then shut the windows down at sunrise and keep the curtains closed all day to block out the hot sun. The house will stay cooler all day and reduce the need to use air conditioning. Saves money and sanity!
My summer saving tip is the grill. Veggie’s, meat, bread, etc on it. Easy & Yum!
-Colleen G.
When those pesky mosquitos start biting, pour mouthwash into a spray bottle and spray the area. It will chase those critters away. A natural solution that you already have in your medicine cabinet! Also less expensive than other comercially available insect sprays that you buy!
My summer sanity tip is simplicity, fun and relaxation. I watch the grandchildren and try to make everyday fun but with simplicity. I try to maintain somewhat of a routine but with fun and relaxation. Too much relaxation can make for pure craziness. Too much fun can sometimes lead to complexity. So, that’s why I go by the three keys–simplicity, fun and relaxation.
I am hopefully going home today after7 days in hospital. I had a heart attack so I need some healthy recipes! Pick me!
We love going to our local YMCA outdoor pool! We pack a lunch and make a day out of it! Fun stuff 🙂
My summer this year will be the most awesome ever, but also the most challenging.
You see, my husband of almost 39 years(our anniversary is June 2) moved out of our home in January. Praying without ceasing…. But joy comes along also, my daughter had our first grandchild this past Tuesday!! what a blessing from the Lord! One of my sons will be married in June and another in August!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow. And praise Him for the strength to go on one day at a time while impatiently waiting for what He has in store for us.
I use my slow cooker in the summer to keep my house from not getting so hot cooking dinner and to save me the time making it.
Lots of precooked-packaged chicken in the frige. Worked on grilling, roasting, separating and freezing some yesterday because it just makes it so much more helpful in preparing a quick and healthy meal.
Summer sanity tip would be plan meals that don’t require use of oven. My oven heats up my house in the summer and living in the south means that’s already taken care of! Lol. Rotisserie chicken from the grocer helps a lot. The uses are endless – chicken salad comes to mind first. Served on a roll or butter lettuce, you can’t go wrong! Microwave cooking is a great option for the summer. Romano Chicken from allrecipe.com is an awesome microwave recipe. The Deep Covered Baker from Pampered Chef makes microwave cooking easy and everything comes out moist.
We participate in the Kids Bowl Free program. We go to the library once a week. We cook together, swim, water balloon fights, messy science experiments, and art projects!
Our school has partner nights with Chik-fil-a and when we go the kids always win free ice cream coupons. I save those coupons and during the summer when everyone just needs to “cool-off” to keep going I whip those out and we all go get a free ice cream cone!
My summer sanity tip is to cook and eat outside as much as possible. You get to enjoy the weather, and cleanup is even easier.
Mine would be – don’t ignore the summer vacation spots near you! We sometimes entertain guests and bring them to “the” spots that they “have” to see, but why don’t we take ourselves? To the islands that are a ferry ride away – to the lighthouse you can drive to in half an hour – to the top of that “mountain” from which you can see for miles. Why don’t we do these things ourselves, without needing a guest? Especially for those of us on a budget – we don’t have to go to Bermuda or Alaska or any of those places we sadly wish we could see. Our vacation spot is most likely in our back yard!
Summer! YAY! We cannot wait for Summer so that we can finaly slow down and really enjoysome of the “good” that God said when He made the world. We have so much evil and sadness in the world today, we all deserve to actually slow down and enjoy some of God’s splendor. We absolutely love a good old game of wiffle ball in the backyard with family and friends, homemade ice cream to share (gonna try the chocolate avocado recipe!), packing a picnic for the pool and spending the evening just relaxing poolside until it closes, fellowshipping with friends. And of course most of ALL…a good old seed spittin contest in the backyard from an ice cold piece of watermelon on a hot Summers day/eve..Can you tell we are from the south yet??? Looking forward to the webcast and awesome ideas..thanks!
Lots of outdoor time for the kiddos. The $20 large plastic pool we buy every year (it never makes it though the winter!) is the best investment we make. Tons of water time!!!!! Soak up that vitamin D. 🙂
Go to the library! Free books and movies to check out and lots of free entertainment while there!
I love searching the blogs and websites for fun and free tips. A game we read about and did from one site was Ice Cube Hockey. We drew 2 lines w/ chalk on our driveway and then with brooms, sticks, etc. played hockey with ice cubes. The kids had a blast and loved the secondary effect of the icecubes melting down during play.
Thank goodness for all the moms out there and their suggestions!
We go to the pool 4 out of 7 days of the week to get most of my kids’ energy out. I make sure they swim and learn all of the different strokes in the water, and then I test their skills in floating and holding their breath. Who needs swim lessons? We also eat a ton of salads where the meat is grilled outside. It saves on kitchen clean up and cooling/air conditioning costs.
Don’t try to do too much – a few fun things are much better than a whole bunch tiring you out.
Making some of Giada’s nutella gelato (ice cream!) It’s absolutly wonderful!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chocolate-hazelnut-gelato-recipe/index.html
Popsicles! Kids love ’em and they can eat ’em outside (never inside). Everyone gets a run with the hose when the popsicle is gone. They’re clean, had fun and the mess stayed outside!
My tip is to stay busy and go to the pool often!
I love my crockpot even in the summer! I can play outside with the kids all afternoon and still have dinner on the table in time and without chaos ensuing!
Go outside! It will keep my daughter happy and occupied for hours and if I have a book to read for part of it – it’s just as enjoyable for me.
Also, have some easy meals ready to go.
My tip is to get lots of sunshine. Don’t stay cooped up in the house. Get out and let your kids run off some steam!
I try to find something new that is free/cheap at least once a week to get the kiddos out of the house. A free spray park is fun!
I hope to attend a parent leadership conference this summer to learn new skills to support families with young kids who have hearing loss. It’s my passion, as I’m raising one myself! I encourage you all to explore your passion and invest into it like I am this summer. That’s what I’m looking forward to this summer, in addition to spending time with my family at home!
I like to cook early in the morning which helps me have dinner ready and more time with my family instead of rushing to get it done later in the day. Also I take advantage of all the free fun activities that are provided during the summer to enjoy with my family. I also do all the messy activites like playing with water, painting, cloud dough, etc. all outside which helps me keep the house clean and an easy clean up when it’s all done outside! 🙂
My Summer Sanity Saving tip is to not jam pack your whole Summer with activities, trips and everything you think a Summer should entail. It’s Summer…RELAX while you can!
Hi Lysa! What an interesting way to use avocados. I may be able to sneak that by with all the wonderful flavors of barbecue sauce, etc. Not as convinced about the ice cream but gonna try to give it a try! Have a blessed weekend!
Cook your supper meal in the mornings if you need to heat up the kitchen! Or you can cook up chicken breasts overnight in the crockpot, then in the morning divide into freezer containers for a easy through together dinners like chicken wraps, bbq chicken pizza or even stove top chicken and dumplins. Make a summer menu plan that involves less stove cooking and more grilling or stovetop meals.
My favorite summer recipe dessert is key lime pie and you only need 3 ingredients and 2 graham cracker pie shells – quick and easy. 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 12 oz cool whip, 4 oz of lime juice – mix together with a spoon and pour into the 2 pie shells, refrigerate for about an hour before serving. It’s a cool, light, refreshing and yummy pie for the summer and you have 2 pies to share with friends. Enjoy!
Sorry meant cauliflower in the crust…lol! Thinking about the pizza made me hungry!
My summer sanity tip is to research free and cheap kids activities in your city for the summer. Make a list so you have plenty of choices, indoor and outdoor to keep the kids busy and having fun.
I always have a prepacked summer outing bag by the back door. I make sure there is a change of clothes for my kids (they are young), sunscreen, prepackaged snacks, tissues, wipes, water and/or juice boxes, etc. That way when I decide we should go to the zoo or the beach on a whim we can get out of the house fast just add a few towels, beach toys, whatever and go.
My children are ages 19 and 22 now but when they were younger, I was a work-at-home mom (I operated a medical transcription service). My children’s closest friends were two sets of neighbor kids. And, of course, since I was the mom at home during the summer while the other moms worked, my house was the place to send the kids. While my summer sanity tip may sound awful to some parents, what the kids absolutely loved the most (and was the best sanity saver in the world for me) was putting a sprinkler underneath the trampoline. If it was just the girls, they would spend hours lying in the sun talking and giggling while the sprinkler underneath kept them cool (yes, I forced them to wear sunscreen – they loved the purple kind). When the boys were over, many a wrestling match occurred. And they all thought it was hilarious to add dish soap into the mix. I figured they burned quite a bit of energy, made some wonderful memories (all of the kids still talk about how those were “the good old days” and the trampoline was the best invention ever), and got clean in the process. But take this tip at your own risk. I know many parents forbid trampolines but we bought ours when my kids were ages 3 and 6 and never had any accidents – just thousands of hours of fun.
I have a summer “trip to the pool” equipment spot designated right next to the door that leads to the garage. Everything pool related is in bags on the shelf in that spot. When we leave for the pool and when we return, everything goes back there. If towels need a wash then I return them to that location hot out of the dryer. Our whole supply of suntan lotion is on that shelf as well as the coolers we often tote along with us. No time is wasted when it can all be found in one place:)
I’m the mom of 2 boys, ages 4 and 2, and Baby #3 will be here within a month. Nothing renews my sanity as much as spending quality time with my husband. However, getting time alone isn’t always easy, especially when there is no room in the budget for a babysitter.
We try to have at-home dates once per week. We put the boys to bed by 7:30, so we have a good chunk of the evening to ourselves. During the summer, we can be more creative and enjoy the beautiful weather outdoors during our “dates.”
Last summer, one of our most memorable dates was on the 4th of July. Our toddler is terrified of fireworks, so driving to see them was not an option. Once the boys were asleep, we pulled the ladder out of the garage, climbed up onto the roof of our house, and enjoyed the beautiful views together!
The best thing for our family is taking the summer to just chill out (as much as possible). We do more things as a family and enjoy being able to hang out without the busyness with sports and such, like during the school year. I try to plan some activities throughout the summer for our family, but it is never anything that is overwhelming or too time-consuming.
Make a list before the summer with your family of fun things you would like to do in the next few months from trips to take to outside crafts to make. Try to include these in your more relaxed schedule as you see fit. At the same time live each day in the now as much as possible, the summer flies by fast and your kids will only be th age they are now once. Be responsive to them. If they seem like they could use a down time day, let them have it and make your going out plans another day.
My daughter is on a swim team in the summer so that means early morning practices. I NEED to have her bags and snacks prepped the night before so we have a smooth (ok almost smooth) transition out the door. This is the summer for me to have breakfast ready!! lol
Lighten up and don’t forget to join in. Too many of us stand on the sidelines while our kids “do”. Purpose to add to your own memories of summer as a participant.:)
My sanity tip is to make all your meals for the week on Sat. or Sun. Then you food is prepped for the week and all you have to do is heat it up or throw it in the microwave. Also don’t be afraid to change it up a little bit. Maybe you have breakfast for dinner, maybe you go out. Summer is for fun and most of all relaxing and spending time with the family. Every minute counts so make the most of it.
Water is a summer sanity buster! When my first two children were babies I would just let them play with a bowl of water and some plastic cups. As they got older we moved to a plastic pool, then running through the sprinkler and now going to the lake. Going to the lake in the morning can be really fun too for something different. Even if its a cooler morning they take a net or some buckets and try to catch minnows or fish. Especially for the younger ones just throwing in rocks is a blast!
My sanity tip is to keep things entertaining for the kids by having variety. We go to the park and play in the water park section, cook together, have tv time, read books, do arts and crafts and play in the back yard. We make sure to have a flexible schedule with plenty of options so the kiddies don’t get bored and drive mommy crazy. Also, we love to make our own Popsicles with neat flavors. The kids love that!
I have a 2 month old baby. My sanity-saver at the moment is to fill up the clean bottles with water just as soon as I wash them. Then at 2 am, all I have to do is pour in the powder and it’s ready to go! That tip probably doesn’t help anybody else reading this, but that’s the season I’m in right now!
My tip is to balance outing days with home days. This helps keep outings special and makes it easier to keep up routine tasks at home.
Don’t schedule too much. Let the kids just enjoy playing outside, climbing, running, biking.
We read a lot during summer. Visit library everyday. Swim team. Preparing math for next school year. Picnics. Biking. and more family times! Take advantages of free movie nights. Free VBS and so much more!
Crockpot meals!
I keep everything we need for the swimming pool in one big bag. After we swim I wash the towels and everything goes back in the bag until we swim again.
We save our sanity during the summer by having pre-packed bags filled with the necessary items to enjoy the places we go, ie. our beach bag is pre-filled with sunscreen, towels, flip flops, changes of clothes, plastic sandcastles buckets and shovels, and a good novel. I love being able to grab and go!
Love the pizza recipe!!! Thank you!!
My summer saving sanity tip is to take advantage of the beauty the Lord created outside! No money needed!!!! Those warm quiet days with just a little bit of a breeze outside… perfection!!
I make juice cubes for the summer.
Simply said: Have 1-2 empty ice trays. Fill each cube mold in each tray with juice of your choice. Place ice tray(s) in the freeze for 5-10 hours. Take out and pop out your own juice cube and enjoy! 🙂
I make my own iced tea! I use herbal fruit tea (I use the celestial seasonings berry teas) and a couple of black tea bags and toss them in a big gallon pitcher and let it sit in the sun for a while. Then I heat about a cup of water and 1/3 cup of sugar until the sugar dissolves. I add the sugar mixture (simple syrup) to the tea and voila! Tasty, summery, cheap iced tea! Note: This is very lightly sweetened, so if you want sweet tea you’ll have to add more sugar. 🙂
Great ideas here! Hopefully mine aren’t repeats. Stonyfield Farm YoKids yogurt tubes freeze beautifully. It’s cold, it’s organic, it’s sweet, it’s got a bit of protein.
Check out all the air conditioned free events: free evening at the art museum, tours of the local brewery, open house at the natural history museum, etc.
Have specific announced reward before starting a whole day of yard or garage work: “after everything thing is weeded and mowed, we’ll go out for ice cream” or “once the garage has been emptied and cleaned, we’ll have a picnic at the lake.”
Pick berries *early* in the day!
Frozen bananas make the best ice cream and the variations are endless! Slice up ripe bananas and freeze, then whip up in your blender or food processor. They taste great just like that, but I like to add coconut milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. You can add to that cocoa or cacao for chocolate ice cream, or any frozen fruit you like for different flavors. I have found adding frozen blueberries is especially good!
My Summer Sanity tip is to keep our schedule as normal as possible. We homeschool year-round, doing only core subjects during the summer months. This frees us up in the afternoons to all of the fun summer activities while still giving predictibility to our days. Fun for the kids and sanity for me!
We got a membership to a gym with a kids club last summer. Three days a week we headed off the the gym. The kids got to play, I got a workout and a shower.
I regain my sanity from a busy schedule by relaxing on my deck with a good book.
My summer sanity tip would be to take advantage of free summer concerts in your area. We have a great place where you can take a blanket or lawn chairs, a picnic, and hopefully friends for a fun summer evening. This is a fantastic way to unwind after a busy week and music just soothes the soul!
When I need some summer sanity I relax with a good book.
When I need some summer sanity I relax with a good book.The kids enjoy reading to.So it’s a good break for all.
Keeping lots of frozen treats in the freezer and lots of cut up fruit in the fridge. I love the chocolate ice cream recipe above. Definitely going to have to try it!
I like to take the family on bicycle rides to the local ice cream shop for an occasional treat! It’s a 6 mile round trip ride, so hopefully we work off the calories and get to enjoy a yummy and refreshing treat!
My tip would be to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Are residents outside the US allowed to enter this competition?
Also, can you email the winner?
schedule days of just playing and have no agenda as a mom and just enjoy your children. Go blueberry and strawberry picking with your kids, make ice cream together, eat lunch outdoors and call it a picnic, play in the sprinkler or pool with your kids, take a walk at dark with your hubby, swing on the swings together.
My best tip for hours of fun is to make tents for kids and let them sort beads, buttons or any craft. They can have their lunch and watch videos in their “tent”. Hours of fun and Mom can get things done, have a cup of tea and listen to the kids have fun! Would love to win the Zo bread machine. Great giveaway. Thanks. Val
I am a teacher to two year olds during the school year so I am constantly giving a lot of my time and energy to these little friends and their parents. Did you know that a two year old child’s brain is the busiest and most active it will ever be again in their life? I find this fascinating!
So, my summer sanity saver is slowing down, talking to God more and digging into scripture so God can talk to me. Then when school starts up again I am eager and ready to meet a whole new group of friends and families and do the work God has intended for me to do.
I love to garden, so I do a vegetable garden each year. I try to start most vegetables and fruits from seed for the biggest savings. Nothing is better than going to our garden to pick for lunch and dinner! It saves so much on our grocery bill.
I try to NOT schedule the kids for any classes or sports that require constant driving to and froms. We take advantage of free things we can do as a family. And my biggest sanity saver during summer??? POPSICLES!!!
I left a few over at Crystal’s site for this tip. I had 3 hmm another…
My children freeze orange juice and milk for “popsicles”. They enjoy it on a hot afternoon and it’s healthy no added sugar and cheaper than store bought (no food coloring -yeah!)
I have pre-packed snack bags (peanuts/raisins) in snack size baggies in the close t we fill our water bottles before an errand outing and grab those so we are set if hunger strikes (if I forget the baggies -there are scratch n dent grocery purchased granola bars in the van already as a backup). 🙂
Appreciate your books! Thanks!
Wendy
I regain my sanity by sleeping in and reading a good book 🙂
We have a farm and summers are the busiest season ever. I hope to work up some meal plans so i don’t have to think about what to have for meals each day, and want to utilize as much fresh food from our garden as possible.
Summer sanity tip–yummy healthy home made popsicles to indulge in when it gets hot out. One recipe I’ll be trying soon is frozen banana dipped in vanilla greek yogurt, rolled in crushed almonds, and sprinkled with cinnamon/sugar dust. Yum!
ALways keep frozen grapes in that freezer, and lots of halffrozen bottles of water.
Lysa,
We are so thankful for your honesty and willingness to share God’s guidance and promises with us. As everyday women who struggle with small and big troublesome issues we have been so blessed to read your book and DVD study on Unglued. My girlfriend and I co-lead a Ladies Bible Study. We have 15 ladies in our group and we all have been so blessed by your honesty and wisdom in our everyday unglued situations. Blessings to you!!
My summer savers are using the crockpot, limit scheduled activities, save beach vacation until Fall break, camping in local state parks, lots of sun and water, local library programs for kids (free), and church camps. School year seems much more stresssful in our house.
Just focus on doing one “fun thing” or outing a day. It keeps the kids from getting antsy, and it still allows everyone to do their chores/keep the house running. The “fun thing” or outing could be play doh, digging in the yard, baking cookies, visiting a museum (on the community free day), zoo, community pool, library, soccer in the park, lemonade stand, sidewalk chalk, organized play date, or bubbles outside. This gives you enough time to prepare meals and be able to accept a call from a drop in neighbor! I usually have my oldest journal about his day to pratice his writing and recall skills.
Living on one income can be hard especially finding money for entertainment so in the summer we have fun “eating out” on picnics! It’s away from home and somehow food packed from home just tastes better eating on a blanket enjoying the warm sunshine and fresh air!
The two things that help me the most each summer are Camp Mimi and Camp Nana. Each of my girls get a treasured week alone with their Grandparents, while the other daughter gets precious one-on-one time with mom and dad. The girls love getting that special time and we get a break from sibling squabbling.
We try to eat meals that don’t require turning on the oven. I live in Alabama so not adding any extra heat to the house is always a good thing.
Check the contract you have with your electric company and see if you can get a lower rate.
I like to keep the freezer stocked with homemade healthy “popsicles”. The kids get to have a cool snack on hot days. Also we have snack outside during the summer to keep the mess outdoors. I have a 2, 4, and 5 year old that can be pretty messy at snack time and it’s so nice not to have to clean the kitchen floor after snack.
I have a second tip. I give my kids buckets and squirt bottles filled with water and medicine droppers, scoops, paint brushes, and spoons to play with in the water outside. They squirt my plants, mix, and pour, paint the sidewalk and have all kinds of fun and stay cool! You could even add ice cubes to the bucket for the kids to experiment with them. My kids never seem to tire of this activity.
My children are competitive swimmers, so we have LOTS of swim time. But when we are home in the afternoons, we have 1 hour of reading time. The combination of structured time and free time helps keep things sane. We also do a little bit of math just to keep memory sharp. Total unstructured time only stays positive for about a week…then the boys tend to argue. We take a week or so off and then add in some structure to make for a happy summer.
My summer sanity tip is to have “mom school” once a week with a group of friends. Each week a different mom hosts an activity at her house for the kids and one mom stays as a helper. The rest of the moms can stay or they can “drop and run”. One summer the activities were based on the book that the kids had read (book list was predetermined by moms) and another summer the activities were chosen by the talents/interests of the moms (cooking, outdoor games, gardening, art). We start the summer off with field day (each mom prepares one activity) and ice cream social and end the summer with a kid’s triathlon (running, biking and swimming) and pizza at the pool. The kids look forward to seeing their friends and also are engaged in a fun learning activity.
My sanity in the summer comes from going to the garden market and stocking up on good local produce then coming home to a no a/c house with all the fans going and cooling rags doused in bergamot essential oil and a pitcher of iced tea.
Getting together with friends who have kids! We’re so busy homeschooling during the year, and everyone else is so busy with school and other activities. It’s so nice to just be able to take a few hours or even an entire day for the kids to play together and run off some energy and make memories and build friendships, and I love getting some adult conversation and deepening relationships too.
Enjoying the parks, pool and picking fresh blueberries with my amazing children!
I usually try to keep a schedule, like the summer camps do; and schedule fun free activities for us to do together. I have a checklist of what needs to be done each day, and then we have fun! 🙂
Garden hoses, Popsicles, and lots of sunshine help me keep my summer sane!
I try not to overload the summer to save my sanity.
I’d have to say my sanity saver is making lots of different “popsicles”. I love to take my little guy to the “farm” and just spend lots of time outdoors.
Summer Sanity Saver – include your kids while doing chores – they can be trained as wonderful helpers. It’s the perfect time to start since most families’ schedules slow down, so we have more time to teach our kids important life lessons. Mom, take time to slow down on purpose – lovingly instruct, teach, bake with the kids, plant a garden, catch glow bugs, go to the nature center, etc. Invest into your children and slow down – they grow up so quickly
I plan on keeping the garden small and teach my grand kids how to take care of it. Try not to try to can so much of what I get.
My summer tip is to not schedule too much and just have FUN. its the summer, try to let things go a little. Also, eating outside in the shade. Our backyard is wonderfully shaded and we break out the grill daily!
Grilling outside so we don’t heat the house is a big lifesaver, we don’t have A/C so without it we would starve on super hot days 🙂
Summer sanity… Fun in the sun in our own back yard! There is nothing better than hearing the giggles of your babies as the run thru the sprinkler or running around trying to catch the bubbles you’re blowing! We love to enjoying Popsicles and homemade ice cream, it’s the little things that help us keep our sanity 🙂
(Un)fortunately, my son goes to his dad’s for a few weeks every summer (in another state). I used to really hate it but now I enjoy my quiet time. Which really does save my sanity the rest of the year!
My summer sanity tip is mini trips, afternoon at the park, Pooh sticks, tossing rocks at the river, scooter or bike rides to the playground, etc. Keep it simple with activities that take up a fair amount of time and use up energy. Make sure to bring the necessary bag of tricks, fun snacks and plenty of water, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, shovels and pails. I go for simplicity.
Try to spend the days with the kids. Every once in a while a moms night out is always fun n well deserved.
My summer Sanity saving tip is simply make time for yourself. I like to wake up before the kids and drink my coffee and even eat my breakfast outside while its nice and listen to the birds. If I can’t manage an early morning I will take some time during the week and go to a friends house, or the bookstore, or coffee shop ….. I take some me time all the time. I can’t function and be the best mom for my kids or wife for my husband if I am worn out all the time. I find I have a renewed sense of accomplishment and more eager to do thing around the house or with the kids when I have time to myself.
I absolutely love to read. For some reason the only time I have to read is in the summer. To save money, I gather free kindle books from Amazon, all winter long, so that when summer comes I have a collection of books to read. The great thing is most of them were either free or cost maybe $1.99 or $2.99. Much, Much cheaper than buying books in paperback or regular kindle prices. Saves me a ton of money now, I absolutely love it 🙂
blow up pool (or framed one. you can buy it around $200-400 at walmart). We have this pool for more than 2 years and our kids and neighbors kids are using every summer – pretty much everyday, all day! it has saved us LOTS – no membership fees for using public one & no driving required! save gas! Since they are outside in cold water, we don’t use AC very often during day either. It has been the best investment of $200 EVER!
Keep a bag of beach/pool supplies packed and ready to go so you don’t have to scramble to pull everything together before you head out the door. When you get home, replenish supplies, hang up swimsuits to dry, etc. and then you’ll be pretty much ready to go for next time.
Our tip is to swim every day and keep learning through out the summer.
Fridays are usually pizza/movie night at home, and I use my breadmaker to make the dough. So something I have been doing is make up several containers of the dry ingredients so that all I have to do is put in the wet ingredients, dump in the dry and press the button.
I try not to heat up the house with too much cooking. We eat more salads and other foods that require little or no cooking. I let my crock pot do its cooking outside.
Open your windows at night and close the windows and shut the blinds in the early morning. The house stays cooler; everyone’s happier…
Keep the pool bag packed and ready to go. Take the kids to the pool on every nice day. The kids will entertain themselves for many hours in the water and everyone stays cool.
I think the biggest summer sanity zapper for me is boredom! We live out in the country so driving into town takes time and gas. We live close to mountains and several canyons so hiking and camping keep us busy! Also we plant a large vegetable garden and work as a family to keep it weeded and producing. It gives us time together out in the warm sunshine and the kids love to watch the seeds they planted grow into something they can eat!
Summers can be fun, but frantic if you let them get out of control. Don’t try to plan every minute and jam-pack it with activity after activity. For most of us, the school system has custody of our children for the majority of the year. Use the summer to get to know your kids better instead of dragging them here, there, and everywhere to keep them entertained, and spending a fortune while you’re at it. For us, as long as we get plenty of fresh air and family time, our weeks are plenty full with one major outing per week; one planned day to meet some other Mom’s and kids at a park; some health and fitness related activities; church on Sunday; and a few good down days at home, keeping their brains active with some crafts and educational activities. Find out what VBS-style programs are available (usually for free, or very cheaply) in your area too, and you and your kids could make some new friends from other churches, while having a blast, and learning truth at the same time. Don’t end your summer frazzled, and desperate to send your kids back to school to get some down time. Work it into your summer and enjoy your kids while you have them 😉
BBQ as much as possible! Less clean-up, and everybody likes BBQed food!
Two of my sanity saving tips are using the crockpot so that the house doesn’t get hot, and taking my son to the park to play.
Last summer I focused on getting healthy. I walked as much as I could, ate healthier and gave up diet soda. I lost about 20 pounds. Because I felt healthier, I also felt happier which was a huge sanity saver. It made my marriage and work better because I felt better.
So this summer, I’ll continue to make healthy choices because I know what a difference it makes. 😀
Living in Washington state, the key to summer sanity is soaking up the sunshine when we have it! Playing outside, heading to the park, hiking, etc.
Plan an outing a few times a week. Go to the pool as often as you can.
freezer cooking!
My summer sanity saver is making a daily schedule for my kids and I. I did this last summer and it was so helpful and my kids loved it too! There wasn’t any groaning about chore time, because it was listed on the schedule and they just knew they needed to get it done to move on to the next thing!
My kids love water guns and splash balls. Instead of running water outside or puddles throughout our house I fill one of the big blue washtub buckets for thm to play with. Lots of fun for the kids, less mess for Mom!
My summer sanity saver is a calendar for the summer. I have the entire summer printed out and hung on the frig. On it I only list the fun events for our summer. I find all the free events in our area that we enjoy, like our Rec Dept. does a different movie under the stars each Friday, and our library hosts several different free craft sessions, events, etc. I also include VBS and vacation trips, as well as day trips to various places around my area. My kids love it because they can easily see what fun things we have planned, and I love it because it helps find a balance of fun events and enjoying downtime.
my best sanity tip is the swimming pool and the bbq grill some great friends and some adult beverages makes for one awesome summer evening! My kiddos love the pool and the grill
I find keeping the kids busy is a sanity saver – boredom is the enemy! I make up “summer bucks” during the summer and they do chores around the house to earn them. Every week they can redeem the ‘bucks” for prizes.
When we lived near the beach, we kept the sand toys in the back of our van. That way, all we had to do was grab our swim gear, and we were ready to go. They didn’t get used at home, so there was no reason to unpack them every time!
We are participating in the local community swim team and plan on doing some camping trips and hiking adventures!
We cook on the grill quite a bit during the summer (less clean-up for me), and I try to always get one thing crossed off my project list each weekday during our summer break from homeschooling.
Frozen fruit protein shakes. A cup of frozen fruit, a cup of non-fat greek yogurt, a scoop of protein (whey) and 1/4 cup fruit juice mixed with 1/4 cup water. Pour into a blender or smoothie machine and you’ll have a refreshing, cold, fruit-flavored shake that can be used as a meal replacement for under 400 calories.
We grow a huge garden every year that cuts down on grocery costs. Plus, the kids love to help out with it and they each hoe a row a day. This gets them out of the house and busy doing something profitable when they start to get in my hair! 😉
With 4 young children, the best thing we do is keep to our routine, even though our “school” will be over. (We homeschool and are always schooling.). Lots of outside playtime, VBS and water fun!
My fav summer sanity is making jam with the strawberries
Besides they everyday activities like the pool, the library, or park that we can just pick up and head to when we need a quick cheep activity to keep summer boredom at bay, we like to plan one big family outing a week. We always enjoy our trusty summer movie programs which we have been able to find in all three states we have lived in over the years. That usually cost around $5 a person for the whole summer which most times covers about ten movies. And this year we are excited to try the kids bowl free program! (Thanks to money saving mom!) I was also pleased to find out for and extra $24.99 I can sign up four more family members and we all will now get 2 games a day for just that! $24.99!!! Now I will have at least two “big outings” all paid for and ready to go before summer even starts! One happy mama here! =)
Having 5 kids home all day during the summer can make for a lot of “I’m bored”s around here. I’m hoping to plan at least one fun outing per week so we all have something to look forward to.
I like to use the crockpot so I don’t have to heat up the house from the oven.
we save up and join our neighborhood pool. for $1 a day, my family has countless hours of exercise/fun. we join friends, take dinners, and basically live there all summer.
Our summer sanity saver last summer was the neighborhood pool…kids fighting-go to the pool, bored-go to the pool, motivation to do chores-go to the pool, etc. Best money we spent all summer. 🙂
I try to incorporate some quiet time an hour before dinner. I have my son work on a workbook or play quietly while I cook dinner & maybe read a quick chapter of a book. I believe it is important to have some down time along with all the extra activities in the summer.
One of my tips would be to invest part of your grocery budget in ‘grab & go’ food. I don’t buy a lot of packaged snacks through the year but I do keep some in the pantry in the Summer. If we hear of an activity last-minute or want a day at the pool we have snacks already. Or make muffins and freeze in separate bags to be able to grab those.
Thanks for the contest!
I love having an “unschedule”. We love just loafing around for a while and then doing an activity. So far we are looking forward to VBS, swimming, our library reading program, free bowling, a few friends meeting up at the park, and some crafts.
We go to one of five local parks that have lakes/beaches to swim in/play at. The cost is $3 a car per day or a yearly membership is about $30.
For my two young boys, I have to plan at least one fun something for the week…even if it’s just a full two hours in the kids area at the gym. Hey, I get to kill 2 birds with 1 stone that way! 2 hours of me time that is healthy, and they get to have fun at the same time.
For me it’s pretty simple, I absolutely love everything about summer! My oldest boys, twins, are finishing up kindergarten so I’m excited to have them back for the summer! We do all things outside and enjoy our time together!
We are relaxing and taking it easy this summer! Also, in instead of a vacation we will be visiting local fairs.
As a homeschooling mom of 3 my summer sanity tip is to prepare for the fall school year in the middle of June, right after we end the school year. Shelves are cleared, papers filed, next years school books are put on the shelves, and daily class schedules are created. Once this is done I am able to relax and enjoy my summer with my children, without feeling stressed about getting ready for school in the fall.
Mine is a swimming pool out back for after a daily walk with the kids and Popsicles in the freezer for afterward. We love summer!
I am a teacher and an early riser during the school year. I try to keep that schedule during the summer months and that way I can get my gardening or other big chores done most mornings before it gets hot, or the kids are ready to go. There are fewer bugs and other bothers and considering the size of the garden, it frees up my day and lets me feel less guilty if I spend a whole day doing things with the boys or relaxing in the pool.
2 tips: We go to the library weekly (more than during the school year) and I keep a pool/beach/water bag with towels, sunscreen, goggles and rings. When I come home from the wet activity I wash towels immediately and rinse swimsuits. When dry, the towels go right back in the bag ready to go for next time.
Definitely the free splash pad in our area. My little ones can run around and get wet and I don’t have to worry about the deep pool water or even a wading pool.
Shed the school year routines and enjoy the free time. Take long walks in the evenings, bring dinner to the pool on a Friday evening, make simple dinners like sandwiches and fresh summer fruits and veggies.
Summer should be a time when mommies and daddies take a break from their schedule also.
My summer sanity saver is to keep to a schedule/calendar. Not that I over schedule but my kids do better with a schedule. We have our daily morning chores and try to keep their minds active by doing fun educational refreshers from stuff they did in the past school year. Then, we try to have one fun outing each day (try to make it free like the library, pool, etc). I try to keep an eye on the papers and local news to see if something interesting is going on in the area that we can work into our day.
My summer sanity saving tip is to try to enjoy the outdoors and nice weather as much as possible. Something about the sun’s rays seems to make everyone happy and sleepy. We visit state parks often to walk on its trails and take in some views. Also, we bring out the kiddie pool, sprinklers, water table, water guns, or water ballons, then we invite over some friends, and we have a blast! Another tip is to plan structured activities (arts and crafts, educational activties, etc.) ahead of time and to gather all of its materials in large ziploc bags. This way, whenever my little one seems to be bored or in a mood, I have an activity ready to go to brighten things up.
We. Make a plan all year to have a family vacation. I realize it is expensive but the money is we’ll spen, worth every penny. It is a breaks from reality, and we are able to enjoy the tome and cherish each othe!
These recipes sound very adventuresome but, if my kids tried them I would be so happy to get some extra veggies in their diet. A summer sanity strategy I always have is to sign my son up for a free VBS and of course using our sprinkler most days.
My sanity saving tip is to take off as much time from work as possible to enjoy the beautiful weather with my wonderful 2 year old! (Ready to be done w/winter! LOL)
I put out a large 3gal water container and put names on the kids cups. They can fill them as they want. No running in and out of the house and I do not end up with 20 extra cups to wash.
This will be my first summer be a SAHM and I plan to have 1 neat thing per day… maybe a craft, swimming, playground, cooking, etc. for the two little ones. We are also planning on a small garden this year (just purchased a new home with a huge lot) to help us save money and eat healthy! Thanks for this opportunity.
My summer sanity saving tip is simple, but true…. RELAX. We tend to think since its summer, and it’s gorgeous outside and the kids are out of school that we have to schedule every spare minute. Some of the best, most refreshing days/vacations/summers I’ve had are the ones where we just chill at home, sitting on the porch while the kids play in the yard!
We love entertaining on our patio. So to save my sanity during the summer I always keep our fridge fully stocked with grill friendly foods and marinades
My sanity saving tip has to do with using a bread machine. We got our first machine just before we had our first born and have been using it ever since!! To make things easier with a newborn I would lay out several containers (tupperware, peanut butter jars, what ever holds your ingredients) and put all the dry ingredients for my favorite bread recipe in them. If your machine specifies an order for the ingredients remember to put them in your container in the opposite order so when you dump them into your machine they will then be in the correct order. (Recipe calls for salt, dry milk, flour, then yeast in that order, so put the yeast in the container first then the flour, dry milk, and salt) It might take 10-15 minutes to set up 6-10 bread batches, which I have found to be much faster than gathering and measuring your ingredients every time you want to make a loaf of bread, dinner rolls, or pizza crust. This is easy to do with a napping baby and fun to let toddlers/older kids kelp with as we have grown over the last 7 years to a family of 6. Then when you are low on bread just grab a container with a batch in it add your wet ingredients dump in your dry mix and wa-la bread will be done shortly! We use this for all our homemade bread and just label the lid for which type of bread the mix is for!
I like to take my daughter to the community pool. For five minutes every hour the lifeguards have the kids leave the pool and only the adults can swim. It’s so quiet and relaxing…even if it’s only five minutes!
I try to use my crock pot as much as I can. Not only to keep the house from getting hot, but so I can go outside and play with my son instead of being stuck in the house cooking.
I use my crock-pot for many meals during the summer and since it has a “lock-on” lid, I can place the whole thing on my porch to cook and keep the house even cooler!
Living in Az we spend most of the summer time inside if we are outside it involves water. We live to do pool days and then kids sleep so well that night! Also we do summer reading programs so my five kids spends lots of time reading to get the prizes from the library. We also do light school just to keep everyone from getting ‘idle hands’!
A hammock and a book.
I love summer because my kids wear sandals/crocs all summer. That saves me a ton of time because I don’t have to wash socks and match them together for 4 kids. Laundry seems so much easier in the summer.
I big sanity saver out our house is the trampoline. It helps our high-energy twins get a lot of energy out and exercise at the same time. Definitely helps this mom keep her sanity.
I try to make sure I schedule weekly iced tea/ coffee play dates with friends to keep me connected during the summer. Everyone seems to get so busy that if we don’t put it on the calendar it doesn’t happen.
Get the kids involved in what you’re doing around the yard.. give them gloves and tools to use in the yard or house when you’re doing projects. They are either going to be a great help, learn to be a great help or at least stay out of danger/trouble if they think they are helping you. After a few years they will have learned so much about gardening, caring for the home and I think those memories will always be very special to them.
We spend alot of time at the public library! Lots of activities for people of all ages and they are free!
My husband is retiring in June so he will be home and underfoot. I think I need a job to save my sanity. 😉 Not really I plan to enjoy his company and we will be going on mini vacations and day trips to pass the time and enjoy each others company.
To keep your kids occupied for quite a while and stay cool, fill up a sand/water table (or a small pool) with ice. Even older kids LOVE this and it provides tons of fun! Also a good science lesson- solids into liquids.
This year we became YMCA members. It will be so nice to only drive 5 minutes to go swimming. They have an indoor heated pool, a large outdoor pool with slides and a splash pad. The kids can’t wait for warmer weather! We might even get them into some summer sports too.
If it’s just me… I grab my earphones & my nook color and just chill for some “me” time. When the craziness gets to both my husband and me.. we jump on the bike and ride where ever the road takes us.
I involve my daughter in the “schedule.” She enjoys being part of the process of planning menus, shopping, cleaning, and reaping the rewards of fun time that she desires: trips to the library, beach time, park time, painting, reading and even time on the computer. Ok, who’s kidding- I want summer fun, too! However, including her in the decision making has proven to keep her happier and calmer with the predictability and no more “I’m bored!” She sees what has to be done, helps with the responsibilities, and we all get to the fun that much sooner and for longer. Yay!
We make the rounds to visit relatives/friends and plan activities in those areas. It’s a great change of scenery for all of us and the relatives and friends love it too! Thankfully, we have a lot of people within a couple of hours driving, so it’s on the cheap. We also take advantage of the weekly summer movies, free bowling and make tons of trips to the park and pool. We’re in Texas, so the pool or lake is VERY important!
Chick-Fil-A is one of my favorite sanity savers. I try to take the kids once a week during the summer – they get to play on the playground while I enjoy a large diet lemonade.
Take advantage of local freebies in the area soecifically for kids. Also, driving to different local parks and getting some of the “wiggles” out. A lot of movie theaters will offer children’s moves at $1 per showing
We make a bucket list and then coordinate it with our calendar. By making a flexible plan, we meet the needs of those in the family who want to feel like they did fun things and those that want to relax.
I try to cook our entire meal on the grill. Veggies in foil packets. Meats BBQ’d. The kids love the desserts ~ S’mores! We also love to cook our fresh dough pizzas on the grill. There is nothing like it. KEEP IT SIMPLE!!
plan an outing once a week to give the kids something to look forward to like the beach or zoo.
My sanity saver is to use the grill as much as possible for meals. Less time in the kitchen for me, less dishes to wash and keeps the house cooler!
Cut down on kitchen clean up! I take a Saturday to marinate and freeze different meats and fish for easy grilling suppers. Add a salad and some fresh fruit for a perfect summer dinner with little clean up!
I pack lunch the night before, as I am /preparing or cleaning up dinner. That way, if we decide to take off for the day or head to a park early, I do not need to take that extra time getting ready. Often that is the time my children start to pick at each other. They just want to get going! Even if we are just staying around the yard, it is fun to pull out the lunch and have a picnic.
Put each child in charge of a “large” chore for a week and rotate among the kids. This teachers both responsibility and takes a little work from your own day.Have an older child help a younger child with a chore and pitch the idea as the older one being a teacher.
My summer saving tip is a giant master calendar. When my kids were younger I started filling it in by March with camps, that way everyone knew what the plan was. Better for the kids and adults.
Spend a lot of time outdoors and have a lot of snacks/meals already prepared so you can enjoy it.
If you have a Community Education program in your area, that can be a great source of free or inexpensive fun and education during the summer months! Kids can try new skills while adults can learn new things too! From hands-on to lectures, there is something for everyone!
I like to keep in my van a bag of fun things for the kids to do outside (like bubbles, chalk, frisbee, etc.). Then if we have time to kill at the park or need a diversion, I am prepared with some entertaining items. Don’t forget to add in the sunscreen and maybe even some grab and go snacks!
Free splash pads and a ton of Watermelon!!!!
I like having audiobooks for my kiddos to listen to on hot afternoons while they build Legos, draw pictures etc!
Frozen fruit cups and icy pops in the freezer!
Hi,
I like to wash my hair under the hose outside during the summer. It cools you off and just feels great!
Morning coffee on the front porch. That is how my oldest learned the word car!
My pool, it’s so relaxing and fun!
My summer sanity tip is to take a break and read. My kids love to read to,so it brings a little quiet time.
We live in Texas now and it is HOT HOT HOT! In fact two years ago Wichita Falls was the hottest place on record for the US.
We often do things in the early morning, or in the early evening late night. We also invested in thermal curtains to go over our blinds. OH MAN did that make a difference. HUGE! It helped out air conditioner out too so it didn’t have to work so hard. It was difficult because you do have to put more money out front, but it made up for it on the other end. Plus you can get discounted ones at places like big lots, goodwill, etc. etc..
I love having low cost or free activities planned for the kids to do throughout the summer! I like taking trips to parks and packing a picnic, or making Popsicles. Things like that are fun, entertaining, and usually low cost!
Summer sanity tip: For those out there who, like me, have a temper that rises with the temperature, it’s great to keep a spritzer bottle full of water in the fridge (especially if you don’t have air conditioning!). When you find you’re overheating, and your happy is going sideways, pull out the bottle, turn the nozzle to “mist”, and cover yourself in sparkling little dewdrops of pure relief and joy. You could also carry along the bottle on an outing, just fill halfway with ice before putting the water in so it stays nice and cold! Or keep it in the cooler when heading out for a picnic or barbeque!
We are committed to not overscheduling this summer. I learned my lesson last summer–we were overscheduled and at the end of the summer I was exhausted and frustrated. I am guarding this summer’s schedule very carefully!
I just love using the grill during the summer…good food AND fewer dishes to wash!
I shop Farmer’s Markets all summer and then freeze/can items so we can enjoy them all year round, yum!
I love to use my crock pot in summer. However, I put it on a folding table in the backyard. It doesn’t put out a lot of heat like the oven but every little but saves me on my AC bill and allows me to keep the house cool. It also saves me from having to slave over a stove, heat up the oven and house, or stand out in the sun grilling.
With having 4 young kids right now (6,4 18 mos old twins) I have started cooking dinner in the crock pot during summers hot days. It keeps my kitchen AND my attitude from getting too hot during the crazy cranky dinner hour (most of the time!) (:
Summer Sanity Tip: Let them be bored. You read that right. In this culture, where we think we have to entertain our kids 24/7, we have all but crushed their ability to use their imagination and entertain themselves! We have to let them move through the boredom (and they will) to get to the other side – creativity and imagination. My 4 children have come up with ways to have fun that I could never have imagined myself! So, unless you want to spend your whole summer driving to one expensive camp after another, try to look past the whining (this too shall pass) and remember the bigger picture for their development – and for your sanity! Every summer my kids now turn the upstairs into a tent city, complete with mayor, etc., after having “elections” complete with speeches and campaigning. They created there own “Parade Association” and plan parades for us with different themes. They probably wouldn’t have come up with these things and more if I had jumped in to same the boredom day!
I try to let my little one, ages 5 1/2 and 2 1/2, have fun around the house. From water hoses and helping me in the garden, to driveway chalk and playing on the swingset. This year we will be making our first ever summer “bucket list” and have simple things like catching lightning bugs and make Hawaiian ice on it to bigger fun times like going to the zoo or a new Disney movie.
I love all of these ideas everyone is sharing! I’m definitely taking notes! Summer is my favorite season but also one of the craziest! Especially as youth pastors with all the camps, missions trips, events, grad parties, bbqs, and bday parties, the long days and our schedule have a way of filling up daily and our kids bedtimes seem to get pushed back later and later…. One way my husband and I try to make up for this, is once our boys are in bed, we take our lawn furniture out or put a blanket on the grass in our back yard and just enjoy the summer night together; looking at stars, talking about our day/week, dreaming of future family vacations, upcoming events, what Gos is doing in our hearts, etc. Its like a mini vacation in our back yard where we get to unwind, unplug and enjoy our life, world, and each other!
dollar kids movies, crock pot or toaster oven cooking, library story time, and cool morning hikes before the heat of the day.
Spend a lot of time at the pool where the kids have a blast swimming, I can catch up on reading and when we get home and have had supper, everyone sleeps like babies!!
streamlining menu planning and meal prep! i’ve finally decided that what works for us is to decide on three main dishes to cook for a week–each doubled. that way, the oven or crockpot is on less often and i am out of the kitchen more! leftovers, whatever, or bean burritos for Sunday night!
We use the crockpot as often as possible, to keep from heating up the house with the oven.
The best sanity saver is to do errands and chores in the morning while it is cooler and spend the afternoon at the library or pool.
With a 9 month old baby, I get advice A L L the time from everyone I come in contact with. With summer coming up, the BEST advice I’ve heard so far is to use our bath tub for play time when it starts getting really warm — bath toys + water = play time, any time! We’re also going to get an inflatable pool for our little patio to have some fun out in the sunshine! The best part about that is, we won’t have to fight the crowds at the park and I won’t worry about our crawler/soon to be walker getting run over by older kids!
Freezer meals and slow-cooker meals will save me from cooking in a hot kitchen, and save time as me and my kids spend a majority of our time outside in the Summer.
We travel to the beach every summer to stay sane. It’s great to just relax and have our biggest decision of the week be, pool or beach?
I try not to pack our summer full of activities and to make sure we have plenty of down time. The kids’ imaginations grow and they have a blast making up games and adventures. 🙂
Let the kids plant their own garden. We always have fun with this one. The kids end up spending a lot of time digging, planting, watering, looking and just plain having fun. My key tip on this one is to leave them alone and not try to make “their” space perfect. Give advice if needed, but let them be creative!
My summer sanity saver is a pass to fun places especially a pool.
We also make homemade popsicles and the kids get to pick the flavors.
My summer sanity saving tip is to plan my meals in advance, and keep a well-stocked pantry.
My summer sanity tip is lots of outdoor play time..and lots of water fun!
Keep a basket/bag packed in the back of the car with paper plates, forks, cups, napkins, and bottled water. You will be ready at all times to stop at a park to have a picnic…whether it’s impromptu fastfood or a hearty planned out picnic, you will have one less step to prepare! And, since we live in Michigan and lakes are everywhere on the West side……we also keep a bag packed with swim suits and towels so we can go swimming anytime…anywhere! Happy Summer!
My summer saver tip is to hang a large sheet up outside in the backyard, pop some popcorn and hook the laptop into a projector and watch movies outside with the whole family! It’s so fun and exciting without spending $40 at the movies!
I enjoy going to the neighborhood pool, playing in the sprinkler, going to the beach. Basically any water activity.
When it gets too hot to go outside my husband installs swings, hanging bars, and hanging rings from the basement rafters. It is the hit of the neighborhood! For the little ones, we use to install the swings really low, or use the baby swings, complete with a tumbling mat and small slide. What works on the play set outside can work inside just as well, you just have to keep an open mind to the possibilities!
Sanity tip: I’m all about doubling up on the meal we’re already making and freezing it for another insane night.
Have your kids join the local swim team. Your kids are guaranteed exercise for at least an hour a day. They will make new friends, become water safe and the best part – you can catch a much needed quiet time while sitting poolside! Don’t forget your sunscreen and tall ice tea!
Sounds like a great recipe. I hope I get home in time to listen to the webcast.
With having a 16 month old and this being her first summer where she’s mobile we plan on being at the park or the public pool nightly. The park is free and the pool is 2 bucks a time! Can’t beat that! We also love to grill,eat outside and paper plates..no dishes!!
All hot cooking is done first thing in the morning or in the late evening when it is cooler. I stock the freezer with homemade bread before the hottest weather hits. Use the grill. Use the slow cooker. But whatever you do, do not turn on the oven. Dinner salads with grilled meat and bread are fabulous dinners even my husband loves. Gyro chicken burgers on a salad, grilled chicken thighs, kabobs, anything to keep me out of the hot kitchen.
Fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of food coloring. My kids love spending time in their sandbox with a few different color-filled bottles creating lovely colored sand castles and sand “paintings”! I can get a few yard chores done then head over to the sandbox for the viewing of their masterpieces.
For easy summer dinners buy your cuts of meat put in a freezer bag with the marinade of your choice and throw in the freezer, you will always have yummy grill ready meat on those busy summer evenings. Plus you can cook outside which keeps your house from heating up.
My favorite summer saver – is anything and everything that is outside! I love summer because there is so much I can do with my son outside!
All I have to say is “crockpot” for cooking for summer sanity cooking!! If you can’t grill, of coarse. 🙂
Always have a pitcher of sweet tea brewed with a mason jar waiting in the freezer. Sweet iced tea in a cold glass jar tastes so good after working in the yard!
just in time!
Meal time saver tip – Sunday- wash lettuce and place in a sealed box in the fridge. Ready to use for quick 1) sandwiches 2) side/main salads 3) stir-fry, or 4) garnish. Done! Enjoy!
I start in the spring by making a spread sheet for the last day of school through the first day of school at the end of summer. I have a row for each day and each day has a column for morning, afternoon and evening. I shade the weekends for ease of identifying the various weeks. Then I fill in all predetermined activities… Church and Sunday School, Vacation Bible School mornings, Cub Scout Day Camp, ongoing classes like swimming, gymnastics, etc.
Then , as a family, we can look at the summer ahead and think about other weeks of summer camp, weekend family excursions, and a longer family trip. My son might say… “I want to go on hikes,” and we can see where they fit. Likewise we can plan family bike rides, etc. Sometimes we plan “End of School” or “Start of School” neighborhood gatherings as well.
It helps to know fun events are planned so we can look forward to them instead of wondering if we will ever get around to actually doing them It also helps with menu planning and impromptu play dates to have a glance at each week’s schedule.
Of course, this summer plan is digital, which means everything is “pencilled in” and provides flexibility for the inevitable unexpected opportunities and redirections.
My summer sanity saving tip: my kids are early risers, so we plan our summer activities for the morning…wake up, eat breakfast, and go go go! By lunchtime they are worn out, ready for a nap, and usually just want to relax the rest of the day! 🙂
summer tip – slow down and just sit in the sun and feel the suns and Gods warmth.
Lots of Popsicles! Make your own for fun combinations.
My summer sanity tip is to always have plans. With three boys in my house, unstructured leads to unruly disaster. They are much better when I have plans for the day. It doesnt always involve going places. you can go for bike rides, play at the pool, crafts, etc. I also tend to do a little mini summer homeschooling thrown in there to keep them challenged and busy.
My summer sanity tip is to have somewhat of a “schedule.” I know it sounds contradictory to summer, but my kids are used to the structure of school so they need a little bit of structure in summer so they don’t drive mama crazy. Like Mondays are library days and Wednesdays we meet friends at the park and Fridays are pool days. Also having a list of chores for the “I’m bored” complaints is helpful.
summer tip- take advantage of the city parks…some parks and outside malls have free mini water area that the kids can play in for hours to cool off! Just don’t forget the sunblock and snacks!
Summer tip: remember to be. Take time to be with my kids and just be.
Lots of time in the pool!
Have the kids help you prepare meals in advance for freezing. They get so excited later when they remember they “made” the entree.
Constant prayer! Accepting the peace of mind that God has given and stop thinking I need to control the uncontrollable, just enjoy the little mishaps that will turn into memories that can be laighed at with my little blessings that I call children. 🙂 Focus on the Word and know who’s control. Do things with the kids that we haven’t done yet or haven’t dont in a while. Let loose!!
Plan ahead. I look for free activities, festivals, events and put them on my calendar for fun times with my kids for cheap. Meal planning and food prepping at the beginning of the week saves money and sanity.
Go outside early in the day to avoid the afternoon sun and remember to put on sunscreen.
Tip: Last summer this worked very well to keep my 2 little ones busy while I got a few things done outside. We don’t have a lot of extra outdoor toys so I grabbed a couple of large buckets and a couple of cups. With one of the large buckets filled with water, I placed one at each end of our backyard walkway. Then the kids, each with a cup in tow, proceeded to fill up their cups in the bucket with water and pour it into the empty one. Then when it filled up they reversed it. Since they had to go back and forth along the walkway they got plenty of exercise too!
take time everyday to just SIT for SANITY. Only 5 minutes of basking in the sun/SON will give you energy and peace to carry on.
In the summertime…..I don’t schedule any early morning appointments! It is the only 3 months of the year that I don’t have to get up and be somewhere early and I treasure those 3 months. I am an early riser anyway but not having to set my alarm clock is such a treat. I am looking forward to this time.
My/our summer sanity tip is to walk everyday. We live in rural Alaska, and just to walk, look and admire the beauty all around us that God has made, takes our stress away, and usually we come home with a bouquet of flowers to pretty up the house~
Tip: Getting out any day that the weather is not scorching hot for a little Vitamin D! Good for the soul and who doesn’t love a good tan? 🙂
My summer sanity savings tips are to stay cool, to find cool places to take the kids to beat the heat, and to create a list of go-to, quick dinner recipes to rely on when time is short when you are spending it outdoors with the kids. It might also be a great idea to create a list of places to take the kids that are affordable.
Summer sanity for me is spending as much time with my precious family as possible. We are at the pool often. Rather then spending money in the snack shop and adding up the calories I have pre packed healthy fun snacks. Like cracker and grape butterflies, flower sandwiches, etc.
We go to a park or the pool almost everyday (normally with friends) to get out of the house and enjoy the outside. We live in the desert southwest, so it’d be really easy to stay cooped up in the air-conditioning which would end up driving us all crazy. 🙂
My Summer Sanity-Saving tip is sunscreen!! I have such fair skin…it’s a life saver for me!
Lot’s of baseball and the community pool. No planning required for these playdates.
When my boys were younger I would create different “camps” for them… Practical things I wanted them to learn but in a fun way. Our first was “cooking “camp!”
I made sure they had all the appropriate items needed to be great chefs! Chef hats from a local restaurant supply store, aprons their grandmother made for them, spoons,etc( Dollar Tree trip 🙂 ) started the day announcing welcome to summer cooking camp… They had to plan a menu, shop and buy ingredients, prepare meal, properly set table, invited grandparents to their meal and help serve!
It was a blast! And surprised me… Thought they would go with spaghetti or something easy; nope… Crabmeat stuffed chicken breast from a southern living book and triple chocolate chunk cake!! It was fun… A precious memory ! And not near the cost of summer camp! We did a few more… Ideas are limitless!
i’ve found at any age or stage of life we need some time alone. so take a day or a few hours to just be alone. not alone in the house that calls you to work, but alone, taking a walk and end up somewhere without people or animals or phones, yes leave the phone’s at home. When we do this God blesses us so much. we can be renewed with ideas or we can actually hear God through our thoughts. might be the perfect time to memorize just one verse of His word. One i recently learned was “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, DO NOT FEAR, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13) this has bless me so much, i wish the same for you.
Create a salad bar in a box for your fridge. Large plastic storage bin that will hold smaller individual plastic containers with different salad toppings all washed and prepared to top a salad; grape tomatoes, shredded carrots, olives, cut up celery, mushrooms-any toppings you would normally have to prepare to put on salad. Use a large container that will fit in to the storage bin with salad greens-prefer romaine or spinach-iceberg has no value:( By covering the greens with water they will stay fresh the longest and just drain out when needed. By using this method you can take the whole storage bin out and you have a total salad bar to work from. Could put all dressings together as well. This method gives you about a week of “stress free” salads.
We spend almost every day at our neighborhood pool, which is right around the corner from our house! My girls love to do fun projects like tie-dying tshirts or shorts and as a family we love to eat meals outside!
My not-very-original summer tip is to grill, grill grill! If it needs heating, cooking, I’d rather grill it than heat up the kitchen during the hot, muggy days of summer!
My summer sanity saver is to remember to plan things that I enjoy also! Invite people over even if it’s not “perfect”, take everyone to a movie that I enjoy also, try a brand new recipe that looks interesting, etc. It helps if I don’t completely focus on the kids so they can see that their Dad and I like to do things too!
Lunch in the park. In our community the local food bank serves lunch in the park everyday. This keeps the kids in touch with their friends, they head to the park early to play, and stay late to play as well. Keeps them busy and I rarely hear, “I’m bored.”
We have a small yard so we are not able to grow a big garden, but we go to the farmer’s market as a family! Let the kids pick out new veggies to try and come home and prepare it. Last year refrigerator pickles were fun to make and delicious!
Prayer!!! Your local public library also! We are so blessed to live in walking distance from ours and I plan on taking my girls everyday if possible because my sweet 7 yr. old Ava is a bookworm and my 4yr.old is’nt far behind. Excited about trying these healthy receipes w/them:-) This is such a blessing! Thankyou:-)
Freezer cooking. I prepped all the ingredients for a certain dish in freezer containers / freezer bags . With the spices measured up as well and assembled the different containers / bags into one big bag. Then, when it was time to cook , I just pulled out of the assembled collection. No prep work , guess work etc. just a home cooked meal.
Have a loose schedule, with room for some spontaneous fun. But my favorite I learned as a teenager working at McDonald’s, CAGO(pronounced kay-go) which stands for Clean As You Go!
In the summer I challenge my kids to read every day. I give them each a list of possibilities, we visit the library, and then spend time every day reading. It’s fun for them and fun for me.
Keep the heat outside! In order to save on air conditioning electric bills, we try to keep the kitchen as cool as possible while still eating healthy and fresh. Breakfasts=smoothies (veggies, fruits, chia, flax, and lots of fresh yogurt), lunches=salad from garden greens with hard boiled eggs (only have to bring to a boil, then quickly shot stove off) and leftover grilled meat, supper=grilled meat, veggies, etc., etc. Our kiddos also love eating outside, which makes every day feel special to them. 🙂
Paper plates and simple meals like pasta salad or a sandwich. I always have a lot of kids, so paper plates make for much easier clean up. I also make them use the same cup all day and then wash it before I go to bed.
My kids thrive on routine, so keeping a little bit of structure (nothing too strict or rigid – it is summer after all), in our lives helps them keep it together (and then I don’t get completely unglued! There is so much travel, playdates, day camps, etc. that throw off a routine so finding one little thing to keep going throughout the summer helps them so much.
The pool for sure!!! Also, love the snowcone stand in our town!! I am a teacher, so the summer is my time to just be. No agenda is the perfect agenda:)
My kids love to be outside, but don’t like to take time to put sunscreen on. So I buy the spray on kind that doesn’t take as long, but still gives great coverage to their sensitive skin.
I use my crockpot all the time in the summer! I cook a whole chicken, beef roast, or pork roast. I either season it and we eat the meat right out of the crockpot with some raw veggies and fruit, or add some bbq sauce and make sandwiches. This way, no matter what time we get around to supper in the summer ( it seems we are always on the go) we have a meal waiting. It also keeps the kitchen cool since I am not using the oven!
Early mornings outside enjoying the stillness, the coolness and the sound of birds.
My mom used to have us help make up a list of things we felt were “summer”. Going to the beach, canoeing, having a picnic etc and then we would try to accomplish those so we felt like we didn’t just waste our summer (though we had plenty of relaxing time too!)
My families summer sanity saver is toward the end of the school year the kids make a bucket list of all the things they want to do, would like to try, places they would like to go. As a family we sit down and evaluate which items are doable with our time, budget. Then the ideas are posted on a board to pick when we are having an “I don’t know what to do day” here is the key, with three kids there is always fighting so each time the kids finish their chores each day ( which are very simple) there name goes in a jar. When it’s time to pick a bucket list item, we draw a name and that child gets to pick. Works great for us. We usually plan our days ahead so we know when we need to pick from the list that way if planning needs to take place we have that done.
Activities – Have the kids plan out what they want to do this summer. My teens are choosing 3 activities with mom, 3 with dad, 3 as a family, and 3 to do with our 3-year old.
Meals – I double or triple when I make casseroles, soups, etc and put the extra in a freezer for a family in need or for just a quick microwave heat up for us when it’s too warm to turn on the stove.
Plus Daily devotions for all of us to keep us in God’s word and so we don’t get so caught up in the “stuff” going on around us!
No early appointments. We sleep in, go to the river, we just enjoy each day for what it is.
Keep bags packed for different activities such as a pool/beach bag, toys and snacks for the kids to play with, etc. Repack the bags after each use and hang them by the door. That way they’re ready when we need them.
We use the summer months as a time to break away from the normal routine and schedule we have during the school year. It’s so nice to let the children sleep late and not have to worry about rushing from one activity to the next during their time off.
an always packed bag of healthy snacks by the front door!
Your freezer is your best friend. Part of the struggle of eating healthy is ensuring that you have healthy food to eat. In my home, we prep and freeze a lot – for example buy those healthy farmer’s market foods – peppers, onions especially – dice them up and throw them in the freezer (make sure you add a date to the bag and what’s inside). This also works for baked goods. I like making morning glory muffins and freezing them as individual servings. It really saves time and helps you to manage portion sizes!
Always an early start outside with breakfast on the front porch and an afternoon walk to the ice cream shop to cool down after fun in the sun!
A bucket of water outside–my girls will play for hours in just one bucket while I soak up the sun and enjoy a good book. 🙂
My Sanity Tip is to not over schedule! Other moms are already discussing camps, classes and clubs and I’m going to try to maybe send my kids to 1 camp but otherwise enjoy our downtime because it goes by too fast (summer and their childhood).
My Summer Sanity Tip is to “Ease Up!” We purpose to take things off the calendar instead of adding more so there are plenty of hours for all of the things that are summer rarities like water gun fights, lightning bug searches, and cookouts with friends. It’s not the easiest thing to do, but summer in Ohio goes way too quickly, and I have to keep reminding myself of that!
What saved my sanity last summer was letting my 4 kids play in the sprinkler/ kiddy pool almost every day! They never got tired of it and they would play for hours. For me, it was worth the slightly higher water bill 🙂
We make outdoor time a priority on days the weather is nice. Makes the bad weather days more bearable!
We are blessed by living at a christian summer camp… my summer sanity tip is to make sure my boys and I take part in the ministry this summer to high school kids and watch God work in their lives.
These recipes are Paleo friendly for the most part!!! Love it! I was afraid I’d be disappointed and wouldn’t be able to eat them! I’m excited to try both! I’m not sure if I have any summer sanity savings tips, but one of our most favorite things to do in the summer is go to the pool. It’s cheap, it’s easy and it’s local. For parents with small kids, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to have fun – use your imagination and think back to some of the funnest times of your childhood. Most likely, they didn’t include spending a lot of money, but just spending time outside with family and friends 🙂
Realizing that while summer has tons of fun and a different type of excited energy to it that my kids still benefit from a schedule, even if it is very relaxed compared to the school year. Therefore, they still need to get ready for the day (not wait until 1 pm for breakfast!) and be available to head out for fun or stay in for some fun. They also need to keep a decent level of cleanliness to their rooms and the playroom and help a bit with the common areas, especially things they got out. If we make the “schedule” fun and very quick and easy, they do well with it and almost do it without thinking about it. It makes the not being prepared for spontenaity almost disappear, and the attitudes are better/less whiny when they know they are ready for just about anything. On top of that, as far as ideas for summer fun I like to make a big poster and include things everyone likes to do to make sure we get to the most important things on everyone’s list at some point during the summer.
Found out recently that I am gluten sensitive so trying to live without gluten in my diet. I appreciate the pizza recipe. At first thought,”what? Cauliflower crust? How do I make that?” but it sounds easy and delicious. Thanks!
I have a magic bullet blender. I got it as a Christmas present 3 years ago. I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal. So it sat in a cupboard for two years. I hard a regular pitcher blender. But then, the pitcher to my favorite blender mysterously fell to the ground, breaking into a million tiny shards of glass. I was forced to use the magic bullet…
I LOVE IT!!! I buy frozen fruit, because they keep longer, and because they make great smoothies. I have two children, so I cut a banana in half and toss it into each cup, then top it with froozen strawberries, blueberries, maybe some canned peaches and what ever juice is in the frige. I spin the blade on top to close, flip it and blend delicious, healthy, smoothie instantly and it’s already in a serving cup! I just remove the blade and insert straw. The kids think it’s a treat and its better than icecream on a hot day.
We like to buy the $7 movie theater tickets good for 10 summer movies. We pop our own popcorn and Bring drinks. Makes for a fun summer.
Farmers’ Market, pool trips to the Y, and either the grill or crockpot for cooking when it’s too hot to cook. (Yes, crockpots CAN make summer-friendly meals!) Our local library has summer reading programs for adults as well as kids, so I challenge myself to read books outside of my normal, go-to categories. We’re hoping to do a little vegetable container gardening this summer, too, in order to grow some of our own groceries & get back in touch with our Waltons-esque roots! 😉
Since I work during the week ( even in the summer! )have to plan everything from meals to summer camps. Summer a to kites we are planning now. I use weekends to grocery shop, go to farmers market, plan & prepare meals. It works well for our busy schedule!
My kids are growing up quickly and would love to sit in the house, watch tv and spend time with electronics! We are starting guitar lessons for our 4th grader this summer and we will be at the pool often. My 7th grader is playing golf tournaments and basketball to keep him busy but we may start music of sorts for him too! We want to add a little culture and encourage opportunities to see where God has gifted them in all avenues. Church camp will of course always come into play and more swimming and sunscreen! I hope to savor the days that I have left before they are out of the house on their own!
My favorite summer sanity tip is to have something for each day. For example we usually end up with Movin Monday in which we get some movement fun. The park, a trail or even a workout video together. Wednesday is wet Wednesday. Pool, sprinkler, water balloon fight…. Whatever we decide
To do. We always have a list of indoor fun too just in case. 🙂
The smartest thing we ever did was buy a swimming pool. It is just an above ground pool, but it has been a lifesaver. I came across it on clearence at Sam’s Club for less than 200 dollars, and it is the best thing I have ever bought. My kids want to spend the entire summer in it and they play, not fight. I have 5 kids so not fighting during the summer is a BIG DEAL!
Make sure the kids have plenty of fun things to do.
I always have my pool/summer activity bag ready to go with sunscreen,small toys, ball, chalk and towel, and pre packaged snacks. Just add drinks and your ready for the pool or park. Popsicles in the freezer-Some store bought or can do homemade. Neighborhood kids are always over so it’s a fun inexpensive treat. Summer days are often unplanned after long school year
Get up earlier than the kiddos in the morning to go for a walk and some time with God. Alone. Quiet. Peace. I think you get my drift…
~Tina W 🙂
I have two summer sanity savers. The first one is making pre-made drinks in mason jars for the kids I nanny so when we go to the pool or the park, they are already made and easy to take with us. The second one is more for cook outs, grilling hamburgers and hot dogs and wrapping them in aluminum foil to keep them warm, and people can grab them and go. Super handy and helpful! 🙂
Nothing says summer sanity like a snow cone or as we call it, snowball. Give mom something to look forward to after a busy day with the kids! Oh yeah & get some for the kids too! 🙂
Get up earlier than the kiddos to take a walk with God and get my exercise “in” for the day.
Alone. Quiet. Peace.
I think you get my drift…
~TinaW 🙂
The library!! Air-conditioned, free and now prepared for a rainy or too hot indoor day!! Ours is walking distance, so we also got fresh air and exercise, and a guaranteed every 2 week activity!
Plan some summer projects — a garden, painting, etc. Get the kids excited about getting some things done. Even cleaning out the basement (and having a yard sale!).
We draw from the summer box!! We have themed indoor nights and order take out! It saves money on drinks and manages our time better.
We will camp out indoors, pitch tents from sheets, and enjoy a tin foil dinner. Sometimes the boys will do a cinema night and arrange our living room to mimic a theatre!! Redbox and store bought candy is much cheaper than theaters! Keeping it fun, simple, and always family oriented 🙂
Like your community page on Facebook. In my community they have so many free events; movie night under the stars, summer concerts and library events. Check out other communities near you as well. I am grateful abc amazed at the free activities they have in the summer. Another tip – see if you have a spray ground near you. It’s free fun. A great way to cool the kiddos off. And free is much better than what you would pay at the water parks.
We are blessed to have 2 Grandparents that have pools ! So it’s a no-brainer over here. My parents have a garden also, so we go get the fresh veggies off the vines and then jump in the pool to cool off ! The kids will eat anything if I tell them, “It came from MaMaw and PaPaw’s garden”! 🙂
My summer sanity saver is having sidewalk chalk and bubbles handy. They are cheap and the kids love them. Also, any chance my kids have to get dirty is thrilling for them so having some small plants or seeds to grow in the garden is a plus. They can water them and watch them grow. 🙂
I am excited to use my upright freezer to save tons of meals so I won’t have to cook in the summer! My freezer meals group is also meeting to do a “grilling marinade/dump” session where we’re going to be making a lot of easy summer grilling freezer meals. I’m ready for summer!
We always sleep late. I get up and sit around in my pajamas while drinking coffee out on the porch.
My girls are grown now, but a summer sanity saver when they were young was “Ice Pops”. They are cheap and the perfect treat for our hot Texas summers. We would keep them on hand and eat them every afternoon as a treat!
OH MY GOSH, we just made the chocolate ice cream! It was delicious! All my kids loved it. My 9 yr old son recommended using chocolate almond milk to make it even more chocolaty, he’s a genius! I even had every thing on hand to make it, a miracle I think! I will definitely make this one again!!!!
Thanks!
Chasing colored bubbles around in the backyard through sprinklers
Ceiling fans! They save on energy in the hot Arizona desert.
We grill as much as possible in the summer. It’s easy and it doesn’t heat up the house!
Our summer Sanity Saver is all the great ideas on Pinterest. Last summer the kids and I made sponge bombs so they could cool off and it wouldn’t waste so much water. We also LOVE to grill. Get to have many tasty meals without heating up the house.
My kids love going to our local swimming park- Hawaiian Falls, and we bought season passes (early bird special saved us money). But the cost of food is $6 or more a person and its not the healthiest choice. My summer saving tip is to go ahead and buy the pass to bring our cooler into the park. It’s a one time fee. Then I’m able to pack it with fresh cut watermelon or pineapple along with sandwiches. One of our favorites is frozen grapes. This way we save money and the kids eat healthy while we are there!
Our sanity-saving tip is to visit the free town pool often! And invite friends to make it a social event!
We play in our creek. When it dries up, I pull out the $10 plastic kiddie pool. Hours of fun~:-)
I love, love, love to make vegetable pizza in the summer – it’s my favorite! Yellow squash, zucchini, tomato, peppers, corn (cut off the cob), spinach, broccoli, onions, the list is almost endless, over homemade crust, pizza sauce, throw on a little parmesan and mozzarella —sooo good! I can’t wait to start planting!
Tips for sanity would include making meals in the morning for supper while the weather was cooler. And paper plates , no need to be indoors doing dishes and such. Also a large box of ice pops and a sprinkler equals good times for all.
My three kids (5, 3, baby) aren’t allowed out of their bedrooms until 7. But for my sanity, I get up around 6 and get myself ready for a day with Jesus and my family.
My tip is to freeze water bottles the night before a road trip or picnic. Use those water bottles as your ice to keep the food and drinks cold and then once the water bottles melt, everyone can drink them.
Living in northern Alberta in the summer can be a test in itself… One day we can be +45C and the next day we can be pulling out our shovels and winter coats to take care of the snow that has suddenly appeared over-night.
For me, Summer Sanity is really about getting out and going crazy (with lots of fun activities) and just focusing on one day at a time. My kids and I love going to the Farmer’s Market or visiting the nearby Hutterite colony and buying tons of veggies and then we head off to the beach where water fights and surprise attacks by my kids (they always wait patiently until I get all settled on the beach with a good book – and then they deluge me with buckets and more buckets of cold lake water). Of course I always feign anger and promptly chase the kids into the lake.
Days at the beach are always cherished by my family and help me to get my insanity under control… The memories are what get us through the long winters we have in Alberta. Some people that aren’t originally from Alberta say that our lakes are freezing Even in the heat of the summer. But for my family there is nothing better than diving into the lake the minute the winter ice melts on the lake. If that doesn’t cool us off enough we make gigantic slurpees to drink (the ice mixed with fruit juice or kook aid always hits the spot… I just have to make sure I always have ice cube trays ready to go (nothing worse than getting psyched about having a slurpee only to realize that I forgot to refill the ice cube trays and put them in the freezer.
My personal summer sanity saver is taking some time alone. I’m blessed to live near Acadia National Park that has some lovely hiking trails (some nice easy ones as well as a lot of challenging ones). Love to get a day when I can head there by myself with my camera, my Kindle and a notebook to just enjoy God’s creation and do a little thinking, a little praying and a lot of de-stressing.
I like to cook a weeks worth of meals on Sunday. It can take a couple hours but so worth it to me. I then freeze the food and can pull it out on a busy weekday night! Plus, my week goes by so much smoothier! 🙂
We have the “I’m Bored Rule” for our kids. They are allowed a special end of summer treat IF they can get through the summer without saying “I’m bored.”
The rule works wonders-they always seem to think of a game to pay or other activity.
I love when the weather gets nicer because the grill comes out and hubby takes care of most of the cooking which is not something I enjoy so it is a huge sanity saver. We also live on a small lake so I love days when I have nothing to do but hang out down by the lake with my girls.
My summer sanity saver tip would be to not overschedule your summer. With six children it can be just as chaotic as the school year if I sign them up for too many activities or try to take them everywhere to fit it all in. Summer is for relaxing and enjoying each other’s company….not spending time away from each other.
My summer sanity saver is “picnics” on our deck or swing set. My daughter thinks it is fun to eat outside, and I love that it means I can make something quick & easy. Best part is cleanup is easy & my kitchen isn’t messy!
I like to plan activities with friends in the mornings, then be home to relax and read/watch movies in the afternoon when it is hot, then it’s time for more fun when Daddy comes home. Also, reminding myself daily that my kids will be little for such a short time and that I need to soak up every moment really helps save my sanity during the hot summer months.
Mine is lots of popsicles and having at least a kiddie pool filled up in the yard!
I am on a mission to make this summer different for my family. My summer sanity saving tip is to slow down! I am a homeschool mom to 3 children. I also work full time. I want to make the time I spend with my family more meaningful. I would like to see more togetherness and less running around. Less organized, planned days and more spontaneous fun. Less getting and more giving. Less of us and more of HIM!!! Aaaahhh….this is sounding good already!!
Lots of walks/hikes/meanderings! We have to hit it early or late because during the heat of the day we have to be inside but we make the most of outside while we can!
Cooking beforehand would be beneficial.Saves a lot of time with all that stress and enjoy more.
Having a plan and not over scheduling.
lots and lots of fun snacks on hand make our summer more sane 🙂
Nothing beats a warm campfire in the cool of a summer evening. And roasting marshmallows. Can’t wait for summer! It’s snowing here tonight in MN… 🙁
I spend a little bit of time one day during the weekend (either Saturday or Sunday) to write out our weekly calendar. Each family member has a specific color of pen that their events are written in and the weekly calendar also has our weekly menu plan on it. It is so nice for my husband and me to be able to glance at the calendar at anytime during the week and know what is happening. It is also helpful for me when I sit down to plan out the week because I feel like I get a better overview of what is happening for the entire week. During this “planning session,” I also pay any bills that need to be paid that week, make my grocery list, and plan ahead for babysitting needs or any other things happening that week.
Yum! Hoping to trick family with cauliflower crust. Thank you for god-given inspiration.
We will be spending lots of time in our pool this summer (free!) and making lots of fruit pops (not free but healthy and delicious! 🙂
Naptime for babies and “quiet time” for everyone else after lunch!
Remembering that my kids don’t need to be busy all the time! Their happiness isn’t always my responsibility. AND I can just sit to READ sometimes too!! 🙂
Have a plan! I find I am much more stressed and irritable when there isnt a plan! And the plan needs to include flexibility, because we all know things don’t go as planned!
We love to spend time at the beach and pack a lunch. There are hiking trails and we love to spend time swimming and hiking and just being together.
My sanity saver in the summer is getting out with the kids and taking walks around the neighborhood. We have done “thankful walks” before, where we just talk about what we see that we are thankful for as we walk. Even though it’s really simple, when we get home we all seem to be happier to have walked, gotten some fresh air and thanked God for all the unique things He has made!
Play and eat meals outside as much as possible, mini field trip once a week.
My summer sanity saver is not trying to cram everything “fun” into the summer- but just enjoying the outdoor warm weather, pool and time with my girls without a plan!
Can’t wait to hear the webcast!
My super sanity saver is to have one fun thing to look forward to each week. We don’t have the time or money to go somewhere everyday so we “play” at home most of the week while getting the things done that need to be done. We are rewarded with a trip at the end of the week. It may be going to a movie, going to the river, etc. We have been doing this for years and it sure makes the summer go smoother.
I do lots of crock pot meals & dry clothes outside to help save on the utilities.
Chores in the mornings–pool/beach in the afternoon! 🙂
my 11 yr old daughter & myself are looking forward to a relaxing, schedule free summer!
lots of trips to the library, pool, and having a friend over for the day!
Thank you!!!
My summer sanity saving tip is making the time to relax in my hammock. A little “me” time regularly is a sanity saver!
Being very fortunate to live on a 44 acre area that used to be a farm, along with my 2 brothers,their families (we all live in our own houses LOL) and my parents, my father just passed away this Feb. – but he always wanted his family to be together and we are – there is a river that runs through the the property and he had a nice shelter built about 7 years ago, near the river…we cookout, the kids ride rafts down the river, we have our own lazy river LOL, fishing, horseshoes, other outdoor games, night campfires, with s’mores, popping a tent up and camping out – gardening – we have a family garden – love fresh veggies and fun memories made. Sure will miss my daddy this year, knowing that he is safe, painfree and seeing Jesus face-to-face and a promise that I will be there too one day, is the best comfort that I will ever know. ♥ Happy Summer sweet friends!!!!
That sounds so sweet Twila. God bless you!
We sign up for the library’s summer reading program so that we can make lots of trips to the library to get books to read (it gets too hot in Texas to spend all day outside!).
Summer… I love the sunshine during the day and relaxing campfires at night. We are walking distance to pool so we do that almost every single evening. Sure wish summers were longer especially after this long Minnesota winter we are having!
I use a projector at work that I borrow sometimes and use to project movies on the wall outside in the summer. We invite friends over, play in the sprinklers to get cooled off, then watch a movie when it gets dark.
My friend and I both have kids in scouts so sometimes we will do an “activity swap”. We take turns planning activities for the kids that will also count towards scouting. It keeps it interesting and neither one is responsible for ALL the activities.
Looking forward to the podcast tonight.
Packing the kids up in our new to us (aka Craigslist find) bike trailer and hitting the local biking trails. Love love love doing this!
Keeping a loose schedule keeps me sane!
One of our most favorite summer things to do is what my two youngest daughters have called “moonwalkin'”. We live in a small town where it is safe to do so. We take a nice long walk together in the evening, but we have to wait until dusk! We walk and talk and bond. My girls ask to do this with me and it has been something we all look forward to!
I like to take my kids outside to play as much as possible. It helps with keeping the house neater and allows for my busy and energetic boys to get some energy out in an environment where it’s okay to be loud and rambunctious. Pools are also great in the summer!
We are fortunate to have a lake that we go to every summer. Most July days the kids and I walk down to the water’s edge and spend the day. We bring our lunch with us.
One of my sanity savers is that once a week, I make ahead salads. Pasta salad, potato salad, cut veggies, whatever. I put them into storage containers in the fridge. When I’m packing up lunches for the day, I just need to put the container in my bag, along with paper plates and add bread. A cool summertime lunch with no hassle.
One of my favorite frugal summer tips is to sign up my kids for our local library’s Summer Reading Program that starts in June and runs for 6 weeks. The kids get to read, read, read and earn library dollars to spend at the library carnival in September. And best of all, it’s free, free, free 🙂
My favorite sanity buster…the ocean. My location…upstate NY. My solution…a hammock, strategically located in the back yard halfway under a tree. It is a breakaway location. Open eyes and see the billowy clouds in the blue sky. Close eyes and hear the rustle of leaves that mimic the ocean waves…..
My favorite thing to enhance our summers is to plan with the kids 2-3 fun days, for instance, my girl loves cooking so she always picks baking day. My son loves board games, so he picks game day. I like to play outside when the sun goes down so we have flashlight parties in the backyard. When the kids know they have a hand in the planning, they look forward to it, help prepare for it and are excited instead of bored.
One thing that I have come to realize about summer is that it’s supposed to be relaxing! I try not to sign my kids up for so many organized activities in the summer. I want to spend time at home, not on the road going from one lesson/activity to another. We still keep a routine at home, but some “unscheduled” time is a necessity to keep my summer sanity.
Starting the day with prayer and listening to the Lord is what keeps me going 365 days a year. In the summer, I look forward to spending time with my parents who live several hours away. This summer, they’re going with my family to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. We’ll create wonderful memories, and I’ll enjoy soaking in the wisdom my mom and dad have to offer.
In the summertime, I spend lots of time gardening which is very therapeutic. Gardening gives me a great workout and lots of yummy fresh veggies.
With 3 young boys my sanity saver is to stay busy. We have a pool and a trampoline so we swim and we bounce and then we swim some more! We also get season passes to the nearby waterpark and go once a week. So we just stay busy, stay cool and have fun!
Planning ahead for specific meals before I go grocery shopping is a big sanity saver for me.
With two boys we spend lots of time outdoors getting dirty!
RELAX. Often times we get to caught up in our schedule or trying to fit too much in. We need to slow down and RELAX and just enjoy the time we have!
Sanity saver – water! It gets really hot in the summer where I live and my 2 boys ages 3 & 4 get tired of being inside in the AC but don’t like the heat either. We don’t have a swimming pool but I set up buckets of water on the porch and they play with their boats and water guns. It’s about the only way to get them outside in the summer!
We put scrapbook paper in a 7 window picture frame and plan our week of meals by using dry erase marker on glass. We can then plan quick meals/crock pot meals on our busier days. By planning ahead we eat out less saving money and eat healthier.
My personal summer sanity saver is sitting on my deck in the early morning, cup of tea, and just listening and enjoying to God’s world around me. As a single mom, I work year round and don’t have summers off. I have 13 year old boy/girl twins and they are home alone while I’m at work so their summer vacation is extra stressful for me!
My summer tip is from FishMama to have prepacked adventure bags for park, pool, picnic and road trip 🙂
I have 2 young girls who are very artistic. So, for those inevitable rainy days of summer, I like to keep a bag around the house with some crafty things to keep them busy. I head to my local craft store when things are on sale and buy little pieces of this and that when things are on crazy clearance sale-maybe a piece of felt, feathers, ribbon, goggly eyes, beads…you get the idea. Then, when its rainy and I hear the “I’m bored! There’s nothing to do!” I pull out the craft sale items and have them go to town making creations only their imaginations can hinder! They can stay busy for hours 🙂
Thanks!
Amber
I get a bunch of audio books from the library for the children to enjoy as an alternative to watching too much tv. We also try to do some school (we homeschool) even in the summer. It seems like the more routine stays the same, the saner it stays in the summer.
On hot summer days my kids (Hunter-5 and Zoe-18 months) love the breakfast ‘popsicles’ I let them have. I freeze juice & berries or yogurt & berries in popsicle molds, and it keeps everyone calm and happy on hot sticky mornings!
We are going to make a summer “bucket list” My oldest is starting kindergarten in the fall and he’s on a year-round schedule. Our summer break will just be July (June this year b.c of preschool ending early) Having an idea of parks to visit, day trips, picnics, things to make (ice cream) or eat (smores), etc. makes sure we do some of of the activities we love in the summer. It goes by fast. Our list isn’t too long though so we make sure we have some lazy days too!!
My best summer sanity saver is having a list made up with acitivities to do. That, and planning menus for dinners. 🙂
My summer saving tip is to put my gym membership on hold and take advantage of the great weather by walking or riding my bike with my girls. The excuse of not wanting to drive to the gym is gone and I get some great moments with my kids. Ü
Summer sanity saver for me is going to the Farmers market and it is warm or even hot!
My summer sanity tip is to spend as much time outside so that the kids will be nice and tired for naptime and bedtime and hopefully the inside of the house stays much cleaner!
Summer can be very expensive where we live, so we try to plan in advance, breaking up cheap and free things (like the library and the aquarium, where we have a membership, and walking tours), with more expensive activities and outings. I’ve also planned each day to be a specific activity – like a Sleep-In Friday, Library Wednesday, Beach/Park Tuesday, etc…
Summer is always a time when we think of relaxing and lying around soaking up the sun; however, I have found it to be just as busy sometimes as the rest of the year. Just a different kind of busy. We try to allow for more sleeping in and more spontaneous moments, but have found that it’s still important to keep some sort of a routine. The winters get long here in Minnesota so we try to take advantage of the outdoors as much as possible. My cooking is simplified as I don’t do nearly as much cooking with the oven and try to do more salads, sandwiches or cooking on the grill.
I realized my summer sanity saver a few years ago. I was going insane stuck in the house with 3 boys that needed to be outside playing. We live close to a very big city so our backyard is a postage stamp 😉 I had a friend invite me to join her pool. It is private community pool and it was our lifesaver!!! The cost of that membership made me feel like I was on a 3 month vacation! Spending the days at the pool, grilling out dinner at the pool, and not being home to mess up the house and leave me cleaning my summer away!! It is truly a lifesaver!! Not to mention the friends my kids make and the relaxation that comes with sitting poolside 🙂
Leave all shopping trips to one day, if you don’t get it then you have to wait. Teaching everyone the responsibilty to take care of themselves (save on gas money, also).
Send the kids outside to enjoy the sunshine and grab yourself a glass of wine and/or a facial mask. 🙂
We keep our air conditioner turned “down” – instead of keeping it around 68, we keep it around 75. It keeps it cool enough to be comfortable, plus keeps the humidity out of the air. 🙂
We love to go to the park and to the beach in the summer. Planned outings once or twice a week are crucial to remaining sane throughout the summer!
My summer sanity is spend time at our local lake. I watch the neighbor kids all summer and we can all go to the lake for free. We pack lunch, snacks and meet friends for a day of swimming.
My sanity saver is blackout shades in the kids’ bedrooms. Otherwise they’d be up way too late at night and up too early in the morning! Very inexpensive and easy to make.
Squirt guns. We don’t have a pool, and we live pretty far away from anything. So on a hot day, when I don’t feel like dealing with the muddy mess of getting out the hose, I just hand my kids squirt guns and don’t see them again for a long time. 🙂 Fun for them, break for me. Of course, sometimes it’s nice to get in on the fun!
Go outside and enjoy the beauty of nature. Remember also to always watch the children when they are in the pool. Getting out of the house and outside when the weather is great, is always a relaxing way to take care of yourself.
Plan easy meals that require as little cooking as possible. Especially fresh veggies. You get out of the house buying the veggies at the farmers market or gathering from your own garden, you eat healthier, plus you have extra time to enjoy the outdoors because you’re not spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Here is my sanity saver tip! We love to have friends come over in the summer to play. My kids enjoy the company and I love having time to spend with other moms. Playing outside is the best because the only clean up us a bath! 😉
Just keeping the kids outside as much as possible saves my sanity! They get to run off energy, and I get happier kids by dinnertime.
I recommend lots and lots of grilling out, paired with freezer meals!
I’ve started making a list of my accomplishments throughout the day, rather than a to-do list. In a particularly hectic season of life, I have been getting discouraged when so much of my to-do list has not been done by the end of the day – making a list of what I actually got done helps me stay motivated and encouraged.
My summer money saving tip is to find lots of free/inexpensive activities that will help you keep cool without having to run the AC non-stop. We do the summer movie clubhouse at our local cinemark. They run a different kids movie each week for 10 weeks. Cost is $1 or 50 cents each show if you purchase a pass in advance. The ladies in our church also host swim days each week so we can keep the kiddos cool and fellowship. We are really looking forward to summer.
Boxes! We always had cardboard boxes for a rainy day. My brother and I made a “haunted house” one year. It was more like tunnel of cardboard, but it took us hours to build and I remember it being a great time.
My time saving tip is to remember it’s ok to say no to some things. Not everything is Christ’s BEST and what you need to be doing right now.
One of my summer sanity savers is to have a list of no bake snacks (and the ingredients to make them!) that I can quickly make for hungry kids. I also try to keep homemade juice popsicles and slushies stocked in the freezer for fast, cool treats for the kids.
My summer sanity-saver in the Seattle area, where we have lots of rainy days until about mid-July, is to prep-plan several sunny day activities in early spring. Then, when we wake up to a surprise summery, sunny day, we don’t waste it trying to decide how to make the most of it. We gather any essentials for the activity in advance and keep a list of quick to-dos for the morning of. For example, we have a hiking day planned with trail map, parking pass, people and dog gear, and picnic supplies and non-perishable snacks packed. The to-do list for that morning includes fill water bottles, make picnic lunch and wear sunscreen. Makes it so easy to just get out and enjoy the rare sunny days when they happen!
A family pool pass to our local aquatic centers keep my summers sane! It also helps me keep my sanity when we pack our pool bags the night before so we can load and go the next day. I also like to stock up on healthy snacks to bring along so we aren’t tempted to spend a fortune at the concession stand.
Daily schedule both time alone as well as a family activity (anywhere from popsicles on the porch to a picnic at the pool). It keeps me set on resting in the Lord but also making sure I carve out time to connect with the family.
Get outside and play! They get tired out and less mess in the house 😉
Summer sanity: fun with the family. We are already planning to go to the lake to read, bbq, and spend time with my parents. Going to the park when is sunny and enjoy some homemade fruit popsicles afterwards. Our summer is pretty much family oriented 🙂
Be creative and flexible! We stumbled across a “sanity saver” last summer when I thought I would fill some storage tubs with water and bath toys for my 5 and 3 year old to play with (thinking they would stick their arms in to play) on the deck. When the tubs were full, they each stepped completely into the tubs and had their own personal swimming pools – something they wanted to play with frequently over the summer. 🙂 Made for great pictures too!
One of my summer sanity savers is taking advantage of our grill. It keeps the house cooler (by not using the oven), I try new, exciting, and often much less time consuming recipes, and I get to be outside and enjoy the beautiful weather with my family!
I like to keep an old used refrigerator in the garage & stock it with popsicles & drinks. That way they can cool off outside & help themselves while dripping wet from playing in the water.
We are fortunate to live near the foothills in beautiful Fort Collins, CO, and my husband and I wake up early to jog or hike on the foothill paths by our house. We have seen many herd of deer up close and watched many a beautiful sunrise. It is nice to have our time together and get some exercise in before our 3 children are up…plus the kids like to sleep later now that they are getting older. It is a good way for us to start our day before my husband rushes off to work and I get busy with the kids doing our summer activities.
living in Las Vegas for 15 years with extremely hot summers, all summer long with triple digit temperature and an occasional gust of wind that can reach up to 30 mph irrespective of what season we’re in, makes my family home bound most of the time. what keeps us sane during these months is a freezer full of ice cream, ice pops, and frozen fruits (like grapes, pineapple, strawberries) that we can eat to cool off. we also live close to a community center where they have a nice water park and an Olympic size pool where kids can have fun and do some exercise. I thought I will get use to the heat here but not really. but I’d like to think it as this….3 months of summer heat and the rest of the year is beautiful weather. I guess I can live with that 🙂
I love yard sales and auctions!
My summer strategy for exercise is to focus on keeping up with my three boys….backyard play, baseball, and bike rides!
Take full advantage of summer library programs, park programs, etc.
To save on air conditioning expenses, our family grills out nearly every day of the summer. The oven, when cooking a standard casserole at 350* for an hour or so, can really heat up the house in no time – and especially when you’re dealing with trying to cool down a two story house, well, it gets expensive fast! To solve this, we have cold lunches (like sandwiches or microwave leftovers) and then special grill-outs in the evening. It’s a great opportunity for family time, and usually gives mom a break since grilling is kind of a dad-thing. 🙂 Don’t have a grill? No problem. Cooking your dinners in a crock-pot or even the stovetop works great too. The idea is simply to shut down that huge heat monster, the oven, for the summer.
I love to make menu’s for the summer – it is one less thing to do. And, have a list of things to do…different activities, museums, etc., that we can do if we need to get away. And, my favorite, my parent’s neighborhood pool. My kids love to swim and they will play all day…and I get to swim and play, too!
My sanity saver is to not over plan the summer activities! I know we need some sort of plan, but those a spread apart so we have some spontaneous fun or relaxation. Over the years I have found that too much business made all of us crazy and needing a vacation after summer:)
Freeze water in a water bottle to keep in the car while running errands. You will have cold water to drink as the ice melts.
Spending as much time at the beach that I can before tourists take over.
My sanity saver is getting some time to myself. This usually happens when my hubby is able to take the kids to the pool. It is tempting to use that time to get chores done but it is better for my sanity if I use that time to read a book or relax in front of the tv.
My summer sanity tip is filling a small wash tub with water, ice, and bathtub toys. I usually have to refill it every hour but it keeps my 4 children happy and content outside for hours. You can buy a more expensive water play table but my kids are happier to each have their own little tub of water and ice to play with.
Sounds good! Looking forward to it!
We fill plastic tubs with cold water and put toys inside of them for the kids to play with. Also, we enjoy going to splash parks; eating a cool treat outside like Popsicles or an ice cream cone; picnics on the Greenway with Daddy as he takes a break from work; and running through the sprinklers in the back yard; and making our dinner on the grill and smelling and tasting the yummy goodness from the Farmer’s Mkt; and finally enjoying watermelon and getting all messy from the juices that flow down our faces. We are definitely looking forward to summer fun as a family!
Swimming and playing outside as much as possible. Starting a new garden this year for the kids to help get all our fresh veggies and fruits 🙂
The library is free has programs for kids and adults during the summer. Who needs Redbox when you can rent tons of movies for free? I also love crafts. I use left over craft materials to make unique creations with my niece.
I take a group on a mission trip each summer. The past four years to Ecuador. We will be going once again this June to Ecuador. The mission trip is a great summer sanity saving experience for me. I am blessed to realize and remember that people and sharing God’s love is what is really important! Also, it helps me appreciate all the blessings I have in my life and family!
we keep the schedules clear by not planning too much, down time is our summer plan!
I have six kids, ages 10, 9, 9, 8, 7, and 7, and we homeschool (just finishing our second year!). I have found that life moves more smoothly for us when I continue with some schooling in the summer AND keep us on a schedule. We start school at 8 am every day but we have a lighter curriculum load in the summer and we spend more time on longer projects (art, music, creative writing) that we don’t always have time to get finished during the school year. Afternoons are for playing and going to the pool!
My summer sanity saver is plan BEFORE summer gets here. I check out when our local carnivals will be (and when discounted ride passes go on sale). Get the library calendar and pick my faves and note when registration begins (spots fill up fast!). Find what theaters are doing free movies and what communities have outdoor movie nights. Even if I don’t plan out every day, if I find we are bored the information is already there to pick from. No spending the day trying to figure out what to do!
My sanity saver is to take advantage of the free activities around town. Take the kids to the park, library, free events like store parties. It gives them something to do and it lowers financial stress level for me….everyone is happy.
We go to the Dollar Store and get some inexpensive outdoor toys/activities to fill our days. We also enjoy participating in the library Summer Reading Program and story times!
leave a bag in the car with sunscreen, band-aids, hand sanitizer, and wipes for those busy days when you are out and having fun.
Ultimate sanity saver – and really what summer is all about – BASEBALL! Nothing beats a gorgeous day at Fenway (with the Sox killing the Yankees of course!). But really, even the worst game at any ballpark is a fantastic way to delight in summer!
My summer money saving tip is to pack a picnic lunch or snack and head to places that are free like the park, lake or splash pads. Take advantage of being outside!
My summer tip for sanity with 3 children is to have a plan for each day. It can be simple and one day a week’s plan can be just playing and having fun! Days go much better if we stick to some type of routine.
Days go much better with 3 children if we stick to a routine. We try to plan something for each day, with breather days for unscheduled play and fun time!
Last summer, I used Glynnis’ ideas for hot, easy lunches and stocked up my freezer. We had food on hand and it was different from our school lunches. Great idea! …. Fish sticks, pizza rolls, tostadas, quesadillas, bean burritos…you get the picture.
I love taking advantage of local activities with my children and husband, such as swimming in the pond, going to hear the live music at the Botanical Gardens, picking fresh fruits to freeze (or eat). Then, the library is always a GREAT place to go on a limited budget for movies, audio books and regular reading. And my most enjoyable thing to do is go to the Serving Spoon for an iced coffee with my husband and sit on their front porch and watch the boats go by on Lake Michigan. These are a “few of my favorite things” for a sane summer!
What saves us the most sanity is being selective about which/how many commitments we accept. Summer comes with all sorts of picnics, parties, family events, outdoor activities … it can all get to be too much. We simply don’t say yes to everything. Instead, we take more relaxed time at the playground, nearby state parks, etc.
The grill, the grill, the grill. It’s amazing how much better everything tastes if it’s grilled. And so much quicker!
I have to meal plan in the summer so I can feed my family healthy meals and avoid going out to eat.
I freeze my bread and just take out a few pieces at a time. That way, it stays fresh longer!
Our summer sanity saver is projects- ( we’ve built forts& playhouses, gardened, yard work, sold eggs, sold heirloom seeds, sewn skirts, made stuffed animals, studied herbs, built dams in the creek, made a town in a laurel thicket, learned how to make a shelter with only nature products, made grape juice, etc) if everyone is busy, then the time just flies by and you get a great feel of accomplishment when seeing a job well done and using the fruits of your labors.
My summer sanity saver is the library. It’s cool, has plenty of book and dvds to check out, and offers interesting activity for my son.
My kids are still pretty young, but the best summer tip for them is to have plenty of pool time. And for me is to use my crockpot as much as possible so I am not heating up the whole house to cook dinner 🙂
I make sure to get outside everyday to enjoy the sunshine and let my kids run off some steam. If I am making something hot for dinner, I like to put it in the oven first thing in the morning before it gets too hot and then just heat up for dinner. We love to grill out too!
Summer’s easier for me by making a double recipe when I cook dinner, then put the extra dinner in the freezer.
I use the internet to my advantage and find ways to make things like play-do, sidewalk chalk, paint, crafts, and games!! The kids love to make stuff that they can use :0)
Make use of local parks that have swim areas. Picnic lunch and swimming is a great, and inexpensive, way to let the kids and you have a great time. Buddy up with another family so the kids have friends to play with and you have someone to talk to.
We buy summer pass to the water park. Keeps the family cool and sane in the desert.
Summer Sanity Saver- we have a theme day once a week. For example, cars. I have the kids make crafts and snacks, find a scripture, coloring pages, outdoor races. Everything we do that day ties in with the theme. We end the day with dinner and a family movie movie night that goes with the day’s theme.
My summer sanity-saving tip is — planning ahead! NOW is the time to put some thought into what you want to do this summer. Make a list of projects that you want to get done, assign one project per week, and write them on your calendar. Also brainstorm activities to do with your kids (art projects, places to go, etc.) and put them on your calendar, as well. If you get some planning done now, you’ll feel better about the approaching season!
I let my teenagers stay up late and sleep in during the summer. That way I have 2-4 hours of uninterrupted time to work before they are up. It works great until it’s time to switch them back to school schedule, but that’s another story…
My sanity tip is to sign your kids up for classes at your rec center. My boys are doing swimming, gymnastics, and t-ball this summer and going through the rec center instead of individual places saves a ton of money!
Cook ahead so you don’t have to heat up your house at the end of a long work-day (and use the slow-cooker, too)!
Keep a pitcher of tea (or your favorite drink) made and in the fridge all the time.
Pack away your family’s winter clothes so that closets are freed up a little bit. That is also the best time to go through and make trash/donate piles. 🙂
I look for ways for the kids to be self-sufficient. For instance, move all their cups, plates, bowls, etc to a lower cabinet in the kitchen. More pertinent to summer, we’ve moved all their summer outdoor toys & games closer to the back door (IKEA storage bins in the sunroom)…they can grab their baseball mitt & ball and head out to play! And of course, come back in and put it away! 😉
Our sanity saver is our swingset! Some days it is just too much to load up the kids to go to the park. So, my hubby built us a swingset for 4 (that leaves room for one firend). It is so nice to have the park come to us! 🙂
My summer sanity saver is taking the kids to splash parks! It is so much fun to run around in the water, and I might enjoy getting a little wet, too!
Write down a list to research the low-cost fees for waterparks/play places/etc., what days are they running special admissions, and look around for groupons to use.
My summer sanity is to continue to keep a schedule. I have to remind myself that even though it is “vacation” we still need to be intentionally living and not wasting the day away. A schedule helps me focus and we are able to do more fun things- because they are planned.
My summer tip is just getting outside!! Fresh air and sunshine is hard to come by here in the midwest, especially this spring :/
My summer sanity saver is working as a team with my husband. We don’t have family to help so it’s important to give each other breaks especially in the summer. Even if it’s something small like going for a walk or run. Just enough time to breathe and recharge.
I keep cleaning supplies under the bathroom sink in both bathrooms. It’s saved me more than once with unexpected guests! I can excuse myself to the restroom and do a quick clean.
we keep a bucket list and reading list going throughout the summer!!
Hey Lysa– I was just looking back through my prayer journal… One year ago today, I was praying for your ears. Just wondered how things were going with that??
To make a cool summer sandwich, eliminating a load of carbs, try a tuna salad sandwich – with the tuna salad rolled up in a fancy lettuce leaf instead of using bread.
Summer Sanity Tip.
Keep the diaper bag loaded with snacks, water, sunscreen, a couple toy cars and of course diapers and wipes so that we’re ready to get outside or be on our way in no time at all. Especially for last minute invites or a sudden change to sunny weather!!
One of my favorite sanity savers is beach days at the nearby lake . . . a whole day out of the house with plenty of sand, sun and water refreshes all of us. I also let the kids play with the hose here at home on really hot days, run around in bathing suits, get good and dirty . . . all of us get as much fresh air as possible! We also go on spontaneous family adventures and make wonderful memories together.
My favorite summer sanity saver is the local public library. Not only do they have a summer reading program for the kids, they offer fun activities and events for us to attend, which helps break up the long summer days. Free entertainment and learning at the same time!
My Summer Sanity savers are to have a different bags packed and ready to go for different activities the kids are in for the summer. Example my kids take swimming lessons, so I have a bag packed with swimsuits, googles, Shampoo and etc. I leave this bag packed at all times, so i can just grab it and go. Same thing for Soccer items packed for practice and games, like soccer ball, shin guards, snacks leave it in the bag ready to grab and go. We also like to do a Bucket list of 50 fun things to do by the end of summer. The kids and I sit down and make the list together. It consists of different crafts, Cloud watching, visiting new parks, going to the zoo, Reading outside and etc. I am excited for the Web cast. Thank you
If you are a coffee drinker, be sure to switch to Iced coffee, and if you plan to spend a good share of your day outside working in the yard, be sure to cut back on the cafiene and try using half regular and half decaffinated.
Also to keep yourself cool while working outdoor, where a wet towel around your neck. You can refresh the towel by rinsing with cold water in your sink of from the hose. The moisture from the towel will keep you cooler in the hot weather!
pardon my typos!
Oh love summer, time in the screen room (no bugs allowed), with coffee or ice water, bible, journal, birds singing, love it! relaxed… and enjoy the no snow zone !
A multitude of activities, the library, playground, children’s museum, etc. It is all about getting out of the house!
One of our summer sanity savers is knowing when to take a break! I find that I like to keep up moving, which is good – but when we take time to rest, we are all able to enjoy the time that much more!
Reading on the porch, kids in the pond, and making homemade ice cream… Lots of nephews and nieces to entertain!
A scheduled something everyday to give us routine. For our family it is being a part of swim team and going to practice every morning.
My summer sanity is simply walking with the kids to the store and letting them pick out one lollipop or something little. We all get fresh air and exercise, and it doesn’t cost much. 😛
I actually LOVE summer with my only child who will be starting kindergarten in the fall. But, of course we can become stir crazy so here’s what we do: Neighborhood pool is a no brainer – cool off, fun play, early bedtime!; sprinklers & popscicles are staples in the backyard; schedule one out of house “activity” per week, i.e., museum, park, drive to coast, movie, etc.; at least one quiet learning/craft activity every day or so; make sure play dates happen at least once a week or as often as possible with neighborhood kids – with or without other moms – this also helps give each other a break; easy meals with little clean up; and VBS – our favorite week of the summer! I try hard to follow the “pinterest summer to do” lists but really it just stresses me out! I like to have a plan in mind but summer is about go with the flow!!!
Summer definitely requires finding a new ‘rhythm’ as our oldest son comes home from college and has time off before his job begins, during which our younger son still has school for the better part of a month. Then once you learn to navigate that, it changes, with an early morning job, soccer practices, conditioning and the like. While Summer is a more relaxed schedule, it is certainly a less predictable one! One fun way we connect as a family is to find a new show to share together in the evenings when we can and to hang out at the pool together one afternoon. The goal is to connect and have fun and not get frustrated with the lack of schedule… realizing the Summers we have with our boys that are quickly becoming men are numbered!
Our summer sanity saver is Geocaching. My husband and son love to search the coordinates and find the treasure and us girls (my 2 daughters and I) love walking the nature paths and seeing the treasures left by those before 🙂
We get a season pass to a local attraction (drive-thru zoo, park with rides and mini golf). Then we spend a lot of time running through the sprinkler!
bike rides EVERYDAY after supper and impromptu picnics in the garden! but also summer is a time when we all sleep late, no electronics before 10 AM and NOT ever before our bible reading. It’s so hard to do this once school starts, so summer is the perfect time to get into good habits.
Summer is all about keeping it simple and stress free. I have started stock piling the freezer with homemade meals so my boys and I can make the most of our time off together. Once a week, I am making 4 portions of whatever I am cooking for dinner. We eat one portion and freeze the other three. A little extra time in the kitchen now will mean lots more mommy fun time this summer!
And just wanted to say “Thanks Lysa” for writing down and sharing all that God is teaching you! You may not be one of Charlie’s angels, (I too share your dream of having a badge,lol), but I thank God that He is using you to share such important life lessons with the rest of us moms!
May God richly bless you and your ministry!
I try and take a little time just for me before the kids wake up in the summer. Whether it is going for a run, walk, reading or just vegging on the back porch. It helps me find some inner peace before the start of the day!
This year, our family is doing a stay-at-home vacation (Stay-Cation)!
So excited about the summer sanity savings!!!
My favorite sanity saver idea is Beach Blanket Movies at our local beach. We take a simple picnic dinner and pop a big giant bowl of popcorn and stop for coffee for me and the hubs and then take our beach chairs and blankets and relax. It’s fun for everyone! Our beach has family night movies, so they are all age appropriate and clean. It’s so beautiful to be near God’s beautiful handiwork as we watch the sun set. We go early to walk the beach, the boardwalk or just sit and chill! A real sanity saver for me! It’s $5 for parking…cheap family night out! Check your town info…some towns do the same thing in parks. Our neighboring state has Shakespear plays it n the park…that’s awesome too!
Thanks for all you do!
My kids are grown now, but the first full day of school vacation, we planned a calendar of fun, I let them pick days that they would like to spend with friends, some with family, some had to be educational days, learning new things, the teens got snooze pigs days, days to sleep in with no scheduling. Then I got one day to spend with each one alone. Last minute calls from friends had to be discussed between them, as they cherished the days the spent toegether, so much. Making a plan helped, because I worked, and there were no last minute calls begging to go here or there. I think they learned from it that family is so important, they are all 3 best friends to this day.
Wow we just had your pizza base with bacon and mushrooms – it was amazing and I know I am not going to wake up tomorrow with sinus. Thanks!!
Our kids are all grown and now away. But summer sanity for us during that season of our lives was to plan. We had a weekly field trip which we discussed well in advance and planned or coal endeared. Sometimes it was a field trip to a favorite historic site. Or a tour of mabe “the mint”. Or a hike in a national park. Always fun and a new adventure.
These are wonderful recipes, Lisa. I am gluten intolerant (Celiac disease) so these recipes suit me just fine. Thanks for posting them. My summer sanity includes a refreshing swim in cool water, shade from an umbrella or shade trees, lots of greenery and summer scents to tickle the senses, and a picnic lunch with my family. Love ya! Ellen
My son Phillip is inspired by you. You should know how far-reaching your messages are, not just to women, but to good young men who want to inspire mom’s and be with good young women. (He has 3 sisters, too!)
thanks for a being another good role model for him and me.
blessings,
Katghy Bucklein
Everyone knows that Summer is Crazy busy! Breakfast is so important! I love to make smoothies when I don’t have a lot of time!
Frozen Fruit, Almond Milk, Vanilla Greek Yogurt, a scoop of PB, and some Carnation Instant Breakfast!! Bam!
I also Like to add Kale to my smoothies along with Oats, and Flax for lots of extra nutrients! It literally takes me 5 minutes to make and I can feel really good about my food choice to starting my day!
Summer Sanity Savers @ my house include a prep day, simple dinners, and getting outside as often as possible – all of which keep the time I have to spend cleaning during the week to a minimum and the time I have to enjoy my family to a maximum!
PREP: Every Saturday or Sunday, I prep for the week ahead. We plan one thing for breakfast and one thing for lunch for the entire week, and make it ahead of time. Usually breakfast burritos for breakfast – we change up the ingredients each week to keep it interesting. These are great because you just wrap in foil, turn on the oven when you get up and throw them in there. By the time you are dressed and ready to go, they are ready to eat. And sandwiches/wraps for the kids for lunch. I wrap them individually and then place in large labeled ziploc baggies so they are easy to find in the morning. I also pre-portion their chips, and have a bowl of “treats” in the pantry. They can choose ONE to put in their lunch for dessert each day. I also have a weekly calendar where I write everyone’s activities for the week. While I do this, I make a list of everything that will be needed for these activities (sunscreen, swimsuits, $$, etc) and I gather as much of it as I can and place in a bag for each member of our family. That way on Tuesday, when my son is going to the pool, I can send him to his bag to get what he needs, and we don’t have to spend 20 minutes looking in closets, under beds, etc for his flip flops!
SIMPLE DINNER: Too much time cleaning the kitchen drives me crazy. So I try to use my grill as much as possible. Most evenings I will grill meat and veggies, and we will have watermelon, canteloup, or strawberries. No fuss, no mess. Minimal clean up. I love it!
our family oohs gluten free and we love pizza and icecream! cant wait to try these!
Our town has lots of great and free events in the summer. There are 4th Fridays which is a street festival every month with music, dancers, food, vendors and activities. There are monthly movie nights outside at a park for free. Every Wednesday evening there are family fun events at a park-kid friendly music, jugglers, magicians, etc and Sunday nights have a free concert at a park. On top of that, there are several great splash pads around and we have a zoo membership to the Columbus Zoo which gets us in for free every time we go. And sprinklers in the back yard and the library are other free fun activities.
Summer Insanity: Trying to pack in all the things/projects I want to do in just 2 short months, thereby creating HUGE stress!
Sanity Savers: Intentionally choosing just a few important projects to focus on, and not driving myself and my family crazy!
I check with the local mall info desk where they usually have great deals for nearby attractions. I got in on a great deal for four waterpark tickets plus two $25 gift certificates. (With each deal you buy two waterpark tickets and you get a $25 dollar gift cert). Also doing lots of cooking from scratch and even making my own cottage cheese and yogurt, etc. I ask the kids what they would like to eat before I go to the grocery store, which makes it special for them to request what they would like for their meals.