I have a 7 year old, 4 year old, and almost 6 month old. Every Friday I bust out the fine glassware and we have a tea party. It can literally be kool aid in glass cups and tiny pb&j sandwiches. But it is a simple way to celebrate the end of a week and start off the weekend right!
This is SO cute. Have you ever heard the song Friday by Rebecca Black? When school was in session, Presley used to request this song every Friday and would literally scream-sing it the whole way to school 😜 I feel like it could be your tea party anthem!
Wow this is amazing! I’m firmly in noise canceling headphones and managing chaos with ages 3/4/7 but your words gave me a sense of peace and hope today. Thank you for sharing :)
I love this so much! My oldest is 8 (others are 5 and 2) and I feel like I've just entered that new stage with her. Today, instead of going to the kid's care at the Y, she begged to come to yoga with me. She'd been asking for 4 weeks. I finally said yes and didn't think she'd last the whole time... well she did! 55 minutes of Vinyasa and I couldn't stop smiling. I realize we've been in such a phase of doing things *for* our kids or teaching them how to do it for themselves and now we can do things truly *with* our kids as they get older.
!! Oh my gosh I cannot WAIT for Presley to be old enough to come to yoga with me. Right now I practice at a studio and she does cosmic kids yoga at home 😜 That will be such a fun mother-daughter date!
Kim, my daughter just turned 9 and I started doing online yoga classes (through my studio) with her at home to see how she would do & she loved it! Just took her to her first in person yoga class at a local park and she did great!! I am loving this new phase, quality time & getting a workout in! I also have a 6 & 2 yr old so very similar ages-thankful to see there is light!
#3 just might change my LIFE, Ashlee!! I don't think I'm hardcore enough for every day, but we are definitely doing this once a week. I also need to do it, ha. Thanks for the idea! (Also, it's truly amazing how much trash can accumulate because the kid decides "they might use it" someday.)
It is W I L D how much stuff accumulates, especially in my boys' bedroom (which they share). Now if only I could convince them to ditch some of their LEGOs ... 🫠
Funny story: Last night I had my youngest go through her room and remove 5 items. She brought out her ENTIRE bin of LEGOs. I made her put some back because I need something for her to at least TRY to entertain herself with when it's too hot outside (which is currently every waking hour). As he was watching me figure out what to do with the other items she produced, my husband asked, "You realize you're punishing yourself, right?"
🤣 This is why all their items go through me. First few days they were trying to get rid of all their nice clothes (like stuff we'd wear to Easter, family photos, etc) because they "never wear it." I had to pull veto and send them back in.
We’re doing a penny system for my kids, they earn (staying in their rooms until 7am, doing chores, reading, moving their bodies) that they can cash in for screen time. So far so good!
Ashlee, it’s been so encouraging to see you lead the way when it comes to allowing your older kids more freedom and responsibility! I also love your open door policy. Thanks for sharing these summer rhythms with us!
As someone with a 6 year old and 4 year old, this was a really hopeful read for me! Thank you for sharing, I love learning about whats working for others :)
This is good stuff. I’m tucking a few of these into my back pocket for the later years!
There’s a library set in the middle of a park nearby, so we’ve had a weekly library visit (at least once, sometimes 2-3 times). We read, join in “Crafternoon” and other library activities, swing, play, and have picnics in the park, etc.
We also have “Make It Monday” where my 5-year old and I make a craft or a food item.
I just asked my son (13) to go in his room and bring me back 5 things he no longer wanted in there. He was back within a minute with 4 books and a Funko pop he was ready to let go of. What a great idea! Also spurs mom and dad on to do the same 🎉 love it!
My son and I made a book bingo on canva (so many templates to choose from!) with ways to broaden his reading and also some simple ways to get a space. It was super fun to do together and, like your kids, his rewards ideas were not too grand and will be fun to execute. Yay for creativity!
My kids are exactly the same age as yours and most of what you describe is true in our home as well! This is our third year doing a no screens challenge (for three weeks) and, though it sounds a bit daunting, it's become a rhythm for my kids and they look forward to it. Love idea #3.
I am the momma of a little 18 month old treasure. I love these days but this post also reminded me that not every day will be chaos and he will grow up and be able to get his own snack and let me shower without saying boo! And no breastfeeding 😅. So thank you for giving me a glimpse into the next stage ♥️
Love this, I have a 10 & 8 year old! This is the first summer that has felt really easy (in comparison to others). I have a schedule only for days we’re home, which is very similar to your list you make.
One thing that is working for us is a calendar week by week that shows what we have to do/planned things and meals. It cuts down on a bazillion questions from a kiddo who is by nature a planner like his mom. 😂
I can’t believe my kids do things like unload the dishwasher and vacuum these days. Moms of littles, it does get easier. ❤️
Seriously -- this is the first summer I've had them regularly emptying the dishwasher EVERY DAY and it is blessing me so much. Love that you've got a good calendar going!
I love the daily to-do list and will be adopting that one immediately! I’m curious: what movies have you chosen for family movie night? We always struggle to identify ones that are age-appropriate and that everyone will enjoy.
It's so hard, especially when you have an age gap like we do! We've pretty much watched every streaming movie on Disney+ 😜 Wicked was a big hit. Some of the older movies like Sandlot. Last week we watched Migration. We try to take turns on who gets to pick the movie, but occasionally the boys take over the living room and will watch a Marvel movie while Pres and I split off ...
I’m equally blown away by the independence of my older three this summer (10, 6, 4) but I also have a 1 year old keeping me solidly locked in the chaos zone of summer for a few more years. But I can taste what’s coming… ‼️
Those are basically my kids’ ages as well! (9, 7, 5, and almost 2). The older 3 are largely independent this summer (free to roam our neighborhood, in charge of getting their own lunch, etc.) because I am stuck chasing the 1 year old constantly 🤪🤪🤪
I have a 7 year old, 4 year old, and almost 6 month old. Every Friday I bust out the fine glassware and we have a tea party. It can literally be kool aid in glass cups and tiny pb&j sandwiches. But it is a simple way to celebrate the end of a week and start off the weekend right!
This is SO cute. Have you ever heard the song Friday by Rebecca Black? When school was in session, Presley used to request this song every Friday and would literally scream-sing it the whole way to school 😜 I feel like it could be your tea party anthem!
I do know this one! We could play it as we’re setting out the tea party supplies. What a great idea!
Wow this is amazing! I’m firmly in noise canceling headphones and managing chaos with ages 3/4/7 but your words gave me a sense of peace and hope today. Thank you for sharing :)
Oh I loooooove my noice canceling headphones! Such a game-changer!
I love this so much! My oldest is 8 (others are 5 and 2) and I feel like I've just entered that new stage with her. Today, instead of going to the kid's care at the Y, she begged to come to yoga with me. She'd been asking for 4 weeks. I finally said yes and didn't think she'd last the whole time... well she did! 55 minutes of Vinyasa and I couldn't stop smiling. I realize we've been in such a phase of doing things *for* our kids or teaching them how to do it for themselves and now we can do things truly *with* our kids as they get older.
!! Oh my gosh I cannot WAIT for Presley to be old enough to come to yoga with me. Right now I practice at a studio and she does cosmic kids yoga at home 😜 That will be such a fun mother-daughter date!
Kim, my daughter just turned 9 and I started doing online yoga classes (through my studio) with her at home to see how she would do & she loved it! Just took her to her first in person yoga class at a local park and she did great!! I am loving this new phase, quality time & getting a workout in! I also have a 6 & 2 yr old so very similar ages-thankful to see there is light!
#3 just might change my LIFE, Ashlee!! I don't think I'm hardcore enough for every day, but we are definitely doing this once a week. I also need to do it, ha. Thanks for the idea! (Also, it's truly amazing how much trash can accumulate because the kid decides "they might use it" someday.)
It is W I L D how much stuff accumulates, especially in my boys' bedroom (which they share). Now if only I could convince them to ditch some of their LEGOs ... 🫠
Funny story: Last night I had my youngest go through her room and remove 5 items. She brought out her ENTIRE bin of LEGOs. I made her put some back because I need something for her to at least TRY to entertain herself with when it's too hot outside (which is currently every waking hour). As he was watching me figure out what to do with the other items she produced, my husband asked, "You realize you're punishing yourself, right?"
🤣 This is why all their items go through me. First few days they were trying to get rid of all their nice clothes (like stuff we'd wear to Easter, family photos, etc) because they "never wear it." I had to pull veto and send them back in.
Feel free to send your spare Legos my way! My oldest child is obsessed, and I can’t imagine ever having too many Legos for him.
We’re doing a penny system for my kids, they earn (staying in their rooms until 7am, doing chores, reading, moving their bodies) that they can cash in for screen time. So far so good!
Oh I love this!!!
I'm so glad you mentioned the penny system in Exhale, because it's working well for us so far this summer! Thank you!! 😉
Ashlee, it’s been so encouraging to see you lead the way when it comes to allowing your older kids more freedom and responsibility! I also love your open door policy. Thanks for sharing these summer rhythms with us!
As someone with a 6 year old and 4 year old, this was a really hopeful read for me! Thank you for sharing, I love learning about whats working for others :)
This is good stuff. I’m tucking a few of these into my back pocket for the later years!
There’s a library set in the middle of a park nearby, so we’ve had a weekly library visit (at least once, sometimes 2-3 times). We read, join in “Crafternoon” and other library activities, swing, play, and have picnics in the park, etc.
We also have “Make It Monday” where my 5-year old and I make a craft or a food item.
Oh my gosh, I love these. Crafternoon and Make It Monday, I might need to steal one of those!
I just asked my son (13) to go in his room and bring me back 5 things he no longer wanted in there. He was back within a minute with 4 books and a Funko pop he was ready to let go of. What a great idea! Also spurs mom and dad on to do the same 🎉 love it!
My son and I made a book bingo on canva (so many templates to choose from!) with ways to broaden his reading and also some simple ways to get a space. It was super fun to do together and, like your kids, his rewards ideas were not too grand and will be fun to execute. Yay for creativity!
Oh that's so fun, book bingo, love it!
My kids are exactly the same age as yours and most of what you describe is true in our home as well! This is our third year doing a no screens challenge (for three weeks) and, though it sounds a bit daunting, it's become a rhythm for my kids and they look forward to it. Love idea #3.
I am the momma of a little 18 month old treasure. I love these days but this post also reminded me that not every day will be chaos and he will grow up and be able to get his own snack and let me shower without saying boo! And no breastfeeding 😅. So thank you for giving me a glimpse into the next stage ♥️
Love the movie night idea! I want to try that! Speaking of open door—lmk if you’re ever in the Bay Area and we’d be happy to have you! 🤗
❤️❤️❤️
Love this, I have a 10 & 8 year old! This is the first summer that has felt really easy (in comparison to others). I have a schedule only for days we’re home, which is very similar to your list you make.
One thing that is working for us is a calendar week by week that shows what we have to do/planned things and meals. It cuts down on a bazillion questions from a kiddo who is by nature a planner like his mom. 😂
I can’t believe my kids do things like unload the dishwasher and vacuum these days. Moms of littles, it does get easier. ❤️
Seriously -- this is the first summer I've had them regularly emptying the dishwasher EVERY DAY and it is blessing me so much. Love that you've got a good calendar going!
Love, love these ideas! This is my speed. I too try to be Super Planner Mom ™️ and just wear myself right out.
I love the daily to-do list and will be adopting that one immediately! I’m curious: what movies have you chosen for family movie night? We always struggle to identify ones that are age-appropriate and that everyone will enjoy.
It's so hard, especially when you have an age gap like we do! We've pretty much watched every streaming movie on Disney+ 😜 Wicked was a big hit. Some of the older movies like Sandlot. Last week we watched Migration. We try to take turns on who gets to pick the movie, but occasionally the boys take over the living room and will watch a Marvel movie while Pres and I split off ...
I’m equally blown away by the independence of my older three this summer (10, 6, 4) but I also have a 1 year old keeping me solidly locked in the chaos zone of summer for a few more years. But I can taste what’s coming… ‼️
Light at the end of the tunnel, friend!
Those are basically my kids’ ages as well! (9, 7, 5, and almost 2). The older 3 are largely independent this summer (free to roam our neighborhood, in charge of getting their own lunch, etc.) because I am stuck chasing the 1 year old constantly 🤪🤪🤪
Solidarity!!!