Not Your Usual Summer To-Do List {with toddler}

Some of us scour the internet for places to go and activities to do with our little ones when we have time off. I’m no different, I’m always trying to expose him to new and different things {and keep him entertained so I don’t go insane}. This summer will be my first summer off in a long time. Four years ago I left the school system for a job with a private company and begrudgingly said goodbye to my summers off. I’m now back to working in the schools {hooray!} and have some time off this summer, but now I have a toddler! Cue the researching and planning.

I present to you my summer to-do list, but it’s probably not what you expect. Yes, we will go to parks, pools, day trips, and so on, but this list is more about what I want to feel when we are making memories.

1. The shore. If you’re not from Jersey, you probably call it “the beach,” but we call it ‘going down the shore’. We are fortunate to have several options for places to stay at the shore and my son {Jackson} will get his fair share of time at the beach with family. Both my husband and I spent our summers down the shore when we were little, it’s our little piece of heaven. We were also married there, too. I want Jackson to run free on the beach, feel the water hit his toes, and play in the sand without a care. I want to spend the time off I have enjoying the sun and sand, and not rushing to fit all that in on the weekends.
   
2. Afternoons in our backyard. I don’t frequent parks too often with Jackson because we have a dog {Walter} and if we are outside, I like to include him in that time. I’m looking to get a little toddler slide/climber for the backyard since I refuse to spend $1000s on a swing set at this point. We do chalk, bubbles, tee ball, his little scooter, and swing. Here’s the kicker about spending afternoons in our backyard. I make it a point to go phone free. Unless I’m snapping a picture, I’m present. I’m on the ground drawing with chalk, blowing bubbles, running around. Whatever is trying to reach me or is being posted on Facebook and Instagram can wait, this cannot. 

   

3. Swimming. Anyone else’s toddler love the bathtub, but the pool terrifies them? We’ve done swim lessons and he started to get comfortable and then they were over. This summer we will visit some local pools, splash pads, and, of course, the ocean. I don’t want Jackson to be afraid of the water, I want him to be safe while having fun.
    
   
4. Bedtime. We are schedule people for the majority of the year or while school is in session. We have a set bedtime and Jackson does well sleeping through the night. Now, I’m not going to go and throw that schedule out the window, but I’m not going to be so strict with the 7:30 bedtime. Summer nights are my favorite and there’s nothing better than little kids running around enjoying that time with family. I wouldn’t want him to miss out on something {or us for that matter} because we are hung up on a 7:30 bedtime.

I’m really looking forward to some time off with my little guy and seeing him grow. I’ll be there by his side when he explores and experiences all that we get to do this summer.

Stay tuned to hear all about our adventures and share anything that you want to experience this summer in the comments below!