Summer can be an incredibly fun time or it can be a time when you watch your grocery budget expand and your patience decrease. With only a few weeks left until it officially begins, without planning, summer can literally get away from you. A time meant for family time and relaxation can quickly become hectic and stressful. With a little planning, however, you can take the reins of your summer and have a few months that everyone enjoys…yes, even you…mom.

Here are some ideas to turn your summer into an exciting season of family adventure that include a bit of self-care.

Get Away

Getting away for a few days doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. Find local attractions that are a few hours away, and hit the road! Explore a small town near you by checking out the beauty of local parks or explore a museum or event you’ve been itching to attend. Getting out of your routine for even 24-48 hours can do wonders for your mental health and the kids can give those screens the break they need.

Cool Off

Get some time in the water this summer! Water days, whether it’s by the pool, at the beach or gliding across a lake on a boat, combine the best of all things. When you spend a day outside by the water its relaxing, the kids can engage in fun and games and best of all, swimming is one of the most inclusive exercises. Good for all ages and abilities, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more fun way to get exercise and cool down this summer.

Sweat
Don’t forget to get some dedicated exercise time. OCSC has a variety of classes for all ages and interests. Check out our offerings and make sure to make some time to get stronger and grow confidence and improve your overall health. Kids can learn new skills and find a new activity they fall in love with this summer.  Plus we offer child care so moms (and dads) don’t have to miss their workouts!  Hours are available Mon through Fri from 8:15am-12pm & 4pm-8pm as well as Sat from 8:00am through 12:00pm.

Enrich

Learning doesn’t have to stop just because the buses aren’t running. Now’s the time to make a modest book list and spend some time each day unwinding with a good book. Make weekly trips to the library, our local libraries run amazing programs that incorporate kids of all ages.  Your teenagers can even get some volunteer hours in! Then you can set aside an hour or two each day for family reading time! Find high-interest topics and indulge and engage your mind. You’ll enjoy the quiet hours in your house and your kids will have a head start when school begins again.

Relax

Make some time for you. Being a parent is a 24 hours a day 7 days a week job but it’s still important to find something that is just for you!. Find some time in your own busy schedule to regularly do something that brings you joy. Whether it’s a weekly massage, attending your favorite cycling class with a friend or a monthly book club, don’t forget to engage in your own hobbies and interests. If you have young kids, make a plan for childcare and then put these dates in your calendar!

Take some of these ideas, add your own and get ready for a great summer!  Let us know how we can help.  You can access our summer camp and summer session schedules for youth programming on our website as well as our group fitness calendar for adults.  We hope to see you soon!