As school begins and we all seek the safe balance of our regular routine, I can’t help but reflect upon what our busy summer has left behind.
Oh, it is not overtly evident. It is all combusting quietly in the background. Those sneaky habits. The “just for today” situations. All of those things permitted only in the summer have slowly changed our way of life. They haunt me as I seek to return to the predictable, routine schedule we once had.
A Set Nap and Bedtime
As a child, I remember treasuring the long days of summer. I’ve clearly adopted this philosophy! Our regular bedtime crept later and later each night. Naps were often skipped due to friends being in town, a fair trip, or vacation schedules.
My daughter has used this to her advantage frequently as of late. “I think I’ll just skip my nap today, Mom.” We have had two full weeks of difficult afternoons and bedtimes. It is time to get back into routine!
The Wandering Dinner Table
We rarely saw our dinner table this summer. We ate on the run. We picnicked here or there. We met friends at a restaurant. That table is still on the move. Even though we are home I’ve noticed us wandering around the kitchen snacking or eating standing up.
Much is to be said about the quality of our meals, too. My summer menu planning went out the door quickly. We eat whole foods, sure, but we eat more beef sticks, larabars or energy bites on the run than we do sitting at the table. Those have slowly replaced the preferred practice of mom spending time preparing homemade meals. It is time to get back into routine!
Device Management
Being on the run all summer, I’ve relied upon my iPhone for schedules, work, and communication with friends and family. I used to have a dedicated time to work, check emails and send texts; but being on my phone constantly has slowly taken over my life. The summer leniency program has got to end. It has completely invaded my time and attention to my family. It is time to get back into routine!
Gold Standard Housecleaning
Before my daughter was born, my house was borderline obsessively clean. Obviously that standard changes after kids due to priorities and time, yet this summer was a doozy. Being out and about more than we were home, cleaning was the last thing I thought about. As I examine the dusty blinds and dirty doors, windows and floorboards, I embarrassingly can’t even remember the last time I truly cleaned the house. I used to have a dedicated laundry day which has lately been replaced only by a trigger to do it when no one has undergarments left. It is time to get back into routine!
I find during the summer, taking 10 minutes a day to clean one thing that helps my house not become a pit and stays somewhat organized during the week since we are on the go and our schedule is very inconsistent. Mondays-Vacuumed Tuesdays: Dusted Wednesday: Mop Thursday: Folded Laundry Friday: Bathrooms. Saturday & Sunday: Tied up the house with water and of course Laundry. My house wasn’t certainly perfect, but it helped with some routine.
great idea Rachel! I’m going to try this now!!
I feel like this and how much we have traveled this summer. Shaun said to me tonight… when was the last time we put the boys clothes away in the their dressers. They have just stayed in laundry baskets (folded and sorted) in our bedroom. We have been gone so much I didn’t want to put them away just to pack it all up the next weekend. You are an amazing mom Sarah!
Ready for routine, but I do sort of love the lackadaisical days of summer!