How to have a magical summer as a type-A mom

Or, a little insurance policy to make sure you actually have some fun

As a mom (and well, just as a person), I’m pretty great at creating schedules, structures, and overall order. I always get the lunches packed and the outfits picked out the night before. I have the diaper bag stocked with snacks, water, and extra clothes. I’m constantly rotating toys in and out to keep clutter at a minimum and excess plastic junk at bay. I ensure naps and bedtime happen like clockwork, because I know it keeps my kids happiest.

What I’m not always great at, at least in this stage of motherhood, is making time for as much fun, and dare I say whimsy, as I would like to. And I know this is mostly due to the schedules and to-do lists taking up a lot of real estate in my brain. Fun has been relegated to a faraway cranny, and she’s trying hard to fight her way back into the mix. I know she is! But the lists and the tasks and have-to’s elbow her to the sidelines each time she tries to suggest something. (Can you tell I’ve been watching Inside Out with my kids lately?)

First front porch drink of the summer.

Enter: The Summer Bucket List.

For the past several summers, I have written a list of ten or so things that I’d like to accomplish. Of course, there are rules for The List. They are as follows:

1. Tasks like “finally organize the basement” or “deep clean the house” are strictly off-limits. These kind of things are easy for us Type-As to convince ourselves to spend energy on. Yes, organizing the basement would eventually spark joy, but not the same kind of joy as finally trying out that new cookie recipe you found or capturing a great, candid family photo that you’re actually in.

2. Bucket List activities do not have to be epic, costly, or time-consuming. Make sure to include several easy wins to build your fun momentum. (See mine below!)

3. You are in no way obligated to complete the list. The Summer Bucket List is a wish list, or a menu of fun, if you will. At the end of the summer, if you’ve completed about half of them—great! The Bucket List is a win-only situation.

4. Ideas can be added to the list at any time. Fun can know no bounds, and this list is as breezy and easygoing as a list can be, alright?

5. The List must be displayed somewhere that you will see it daily to make sure that fun will not be forgotten.

6. Sisters of The Summer Bucket List include, of course, The Fall Bucket List and The Winter Bucket List. These are highly encouraged. I have not yet created a spring version, but never say never.

Below you’ll find our current list. What would you add to yours?

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Our 2024 Summer Bucket List:

1. Vacation! (see last week’s post)¹

2. Try making frozen chocolate orange slices

3. Get out the kiddie pool, already (water balloons?)

4. Front porch drinks

5. One house project

6. Bake at least once (two huge cookies)

7. Lots of watermelon

8. Thrift goals: a desk for Q and decor for kitchen

9. Anniversary date

10. Baseball game

11. Farmers’ market visits

12. At least one photo of our whole family

13. Library summer reading program

I anticipated spending the summer trying to find the perfect desk for Q’s room, but this $30 FBMP find popped up so early! It’s perfect.

So there you have it. To make time for fun, I have to put it on a list and display it in my kitchen. If it’s on a list, it’s a priority. And if it’s a priority, I will make sure it gets done. 🌞

1. Crossed-off tasks have already been completed 💪🏻