Let Go. Drink the Lemonade.

As the final school days wind down and summer stretches out before us like a blank canvas, it’s easy to feel both excitement and pressure. Do we plan all the things? Keep the kids on a schedule? Go with the flow? For many of us—especially in big families—summer can feel more like survival than sabbatical.

But what if we saw summer differently this year? Not as something to “fill,” but as something to savor.

Here are a few intentional ways to prep for a summer that fills your family’s cup:

1. Make a “Family Bucket List” Together

Get everyone’s input—even the littlest voices—and write down a mix of big and small things: make homemade popsicles, have a backyard movie night, go creek stomping, catch fireflies, have a no-screens day, visit Grandma. Tape it to the fridge or pop it in your planner, and check things off with joy, not pressure.

2. Create Loose Weekly Rhythms

Instead of rigid schedules, aim for weekly “themes”:

• Make-It Monday (crafts, recipes, or building something)

• Take-a-Trip Tuesday (library, park, or even a walk downtown)

• Water Wednesday (sprinklers, water balloons, pool)

• Thoughtful Thursday (write cards, visit someone, donate toys)

• Family Fun Friday (games, movie night, pizza party)

This gives your week structure without the stress.

3. Prep a “Boredom Basket”

Fill a bin with easy activities: sidewalk chalk, bubbles, Uno cards, coloring books, scavenger hunt cards, play dough. When someone whines, “I’m bored!”—send them to the basket.

4. Set Screen Time Boundaries Early

Decide now what’s allowed and when. Maybe mornings are screen-free, or they earn screen time after reading or chores. Having a plan beats daily battles.

5. Make Room for Rest

Not every moment needs to be magical. Let them sleep in, lay in the grass, daydream. Let yourself rest too. Lazy days are where imaginations grow and peace is planted.

6. Anchor the Days with Faith

Whether it’s morning devotionals, worship music during chores, or memorizing a verse a week—summer is a great time to grow together in faith. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful.

Final Thought

Summer doesn’t have to be fancy or filtered. It just needs to be yours. Make memories. Offer grace. Drink the lemonade. Laugh loud. Let some things go. And above all, let this season remind you that presence matters more than plans.