A Mom’s Summer Check-List: 20 Things you Can Do while School is on Break

Photo from galleryhip.com

This article was updated on March 8, 2015

The kids are out from school and you’ve planned their summer activities. But summer is not only all about going on a vacation and scheduling workshops for the kids; it’s also a good time to catch up on errands and to do’s that have been waiting all year on your checklist. Whip out a pen and scan our list to see which of these items you can scribble down on your planner and find time to accomplish this summer.  

1. Time to do some spring cleaning!
Get the kids involved in sorting through old clothes and toys. Set aside clothes that need repair. Clothes that have gotten too small can be donated or passed on to younger cousins. The kids can choose which of their toys they do not want anymore and suggest that these be placed in the donation pile.  

2. Bring your child to the pediatrician for a check-up and get their vaccinations.
It’s also a good time for their annual flu shots. Find time to also have their eyes checked. If you have boys, you can consider scheduling circumcision, too.  

3. Have your child’s teeth cleaned and checked.
A trip to the dentist is a must every six months. Summer is a good time to schedule one of those bi-yearly visits.  

4. Haircut time!
While the kids are on break, bring them to the nearby salon or barbershop so they can get a haircut.  

5. Organize photos into a cool scrapbook.
Don’t let all your photos go to waste, forgotten and set aside. While memories are still fresh, gather your photos and put together a scrapbook that tells a story of your fun adventures. Digital files can be sent to the local photo shop for printing. The kids will willingly help out and your family will have tons of fun recalling all the details. Share the finished product with family and friends!  

6. Create a keepsakes folder.
Gather all certificates, report cards, artwork and other memorabilia your kids have accumulated during the school year and put them together in a sturdy envelope. It’s good to do this each year and will serve as a great source of memories for your children when they grow up.  

7. Replenish your school supplies stash.
Get ahead and start checking your school supplies drawer. Do you still have enough pencils and paper for the upcoming school year? Make sure you have a box of crayons, art paper, glue, notebooks and the basics. Start your school supplies shopping early to avoid the rush.  

8. Have the car checked.
Find time to bring the car for a check-up while the kids are at home this summer. Avoid having the car break down when you need it the most, like rushing your child to school for his exams or an important school play.  

9. Hit the bookstore.
Get your kids to read this summer so they can develop the love for reading. During the school year, they are usually swamped with homework and do not have the time to read. There are lots of great books for any age that you can buy from second-hand bookstores. Younger readers will love the rhymes and funny stories of Dr. Seuss while older readers will enjoy Geronimo Stilton books, the Diary of the Wimpy Kid series and the 39 Clues adventure books.  

10. Stock up on medicines and other emergency items.
Avoid having to take a trip to the pharmacy in the middle of the night to get your child a bottle of paracetamol syrup to ease his rising fever. Make a list of your child’s basic medicines and make sure your bathroom cabinet is well-stocked.  Don’t forget the band-aids.  

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11. Buy gifts for classmates.
Your child may be invited to a birthday party with only a few days’ notice and you may not have time to buy a gift. Stock up on a few generic items. Consult your child to see what her classmates commonly like, perhaps a bag with a popular character on its design, a book that’s age-appropriate or a fun DVD that can be enjoyed many times over. While you’re at the store shopping, you can choose to buy some items for the teachers too!  

12. Get your children’s ID photos taken.
You’ll never know when you will need them for school or other requirements. Have at least a couple of 1x1 and 2x2 photos ready.  

13. Order an extra copy of your kids’ birth and baptismal certificates.
Call NSO (737-1111) to order a copy of their birth certificates, and visit your parish to request for a copy of your kids’ baptismal certificates.  

14. Renew passports and visas.
Perhaps your passports are nearing their expiry. Remember that you cannot travel with passports that expire in six months or less. If the children’s passports and visas are expiring soon, be sure you schedule a trip to the DFA and embassy during the summer so kids won’t have to miss school just to have them renewed. DFA contact info is 834-4000 and www.dfa.gov.ph.  

15. Finish projects.
A model airplane that needs building or a room that you've been planning to convert into a playroom? Time to take stock of unfinished projects or get a head start on the projects that have remained in the planning stage.  

16. Tutor kids.
Okay, I hear you! It’s summer and I want you to tutor your kids? It actually makes sense to keep your child’s mind active this summer. Make summer tutoring fun through games and activities. Create a word for the day to increase your child’s vocabulary.  

17. Teach your kids to do chores.
Summer is a good time to get them to learn some easy chores such as setting the table, making their bed and dusting the furniture.  

18. Open a bank account for your kids.
Consider setting up a kiddie bank account where they can deposit the money they saved from their weekly allowance and the cash gifts they get during Christmas and birthdays. It’s a good time to start teaching them important lessons about money.

19. Bring your kids to a museum, see a play, watch a movie.
Build on bonding time with mom and dad. Summer is a perfect time to scratch off some of the items on your child’s wish list of places to go and things to do.  
 

20. Spend time with family and relatives.
When school starts, it’s difficult to find the time to visit family and relatives especially if they live in the provinces. Make the time this summer.