Positively Inspirational Round-Up – Having a Positive Summer…

I suspect most of you who read this are parents and we are now just on the cusp of the summer holidays. Talking to friends I find that parents react in one of two ways, firstly the ‘Agghh, how will I get it all done before the holidays start?’ and then ‘What will I do with them for six weeks?’ or the ‘Bring it on, I can’t wait.’

I have to say that now I don’t go out to work anymore I am firmly in the second camp and can’t wait for the summer to start.  No more running around in the morning, after school clubs or stressing about homework, what is not to love? Of course it does help that I live in 220 acres of land and have a lake on site that the kids love to swim in, oh and we have about 50 on site babysitters too. Yes, I realise I am incredibly lucky but enough about me, let’s check out what some other bloggers have got up their sleeve for a positive summer.

If you need a kick up the bum to ensure that your summer is a good one then you would do well to join in with Claire at Clarina’s contemplations. Each summer she runs #GetGoodSummer and encourages us all to set 5 goals that you can achieve in the 10 weeks over summer, they can be as small as you fancy but they will keep you focused on the good stuff.

Get outdoors

New Mum Online reminds us that sometimes we should just go against the norm and say yes to our kids, she recommends an evening bike ride. Actually if getting outside is your thing then the place to go for inspiration is the Coombe Mill blog, Fiona has something new to share each week, just look at this nature crown activity.

Actually Mummy also has some good ideas for outdoor play and they are all low-cost too, even better! Cass at Frugal family tells us all about her summer bag and I’d say it is an essential for every fun-loving family, go take a peek.

Don’t forget your sunscreen if you are outdoors but If your kids are anything like mine however much sun cream we use there is always a bit of burn somewhere, so I was glad to read Lucy at Wonderthrifts recommendations for making your own after-sun cooling lotions. Who knew it could all be so simple when you know how?

Get crafting

If you are the crafty sort then I’d highly recommend a visit to Red Ted Art as there are always great fun ideas there but particularly this 20 classic summer crafts is brilliant, my kids want to make a hoopla now! If you prefer to make something without the kids then I love these scented firelighters by Capture by Lucy, she manages to make them practical and pretty.

Mummy of two shows us how easy it is to get the kids involved with a project and that at the end of it they can have something lovely to play with.  Her little ones set to work to make a road playmat, simple but effective.

Get Playing

Anna at In the Playroom has a really interesting post on ten ways to help your child learn though play, but don’t worry it is nothing too strenuous and you will be having fun and them gaining valuable skills without you even feeling the strain.

I didn’t feel I could do a summer post without linking to a loom band tutorial. This craze is in full force at my house and the girls churn out a few bracelets a day. In this post the Life of Spicers shows you how to make a fishtail bracelet, no loom required!

As well as planning a fun summer for the kids Joy at Pink Oddy reminds us that we have to take care of ourselves too and she has posted her summer bucket list.

Get cooking

If food is your thing and you need some ideas of tasty but simple recipes then why not try out Twice a Mummy, Double the Fun’s  cookie dough pizza with the kids or send them off to the grandparents and bake a strawberry and elderflower eton mess cake as devised by Mummy Mishaps and keep it all for yourself!

If you fancy something more savoury then Mari shows you how to prepare sea bass with lime and kaffir leaves. Or take a trip to see Emily at A Mummy Too, she has so many great recipes that it is untrue, particularly if you are vegetarian like my husband.  It is the filo pastry mini quiches that caught my eye recently though, fab for summer picnics.

Get travelling

I’ll leave you with a great post from Tales of a Twin Mum where she shares her insight on what’s hot and what’s not in regard to travelling with kids. Oh how I miss those days of book reading on a very hot beach….. one day!

Thanks for reading, wishing you all a wonderful summer, I’ll catch you here again in September and Emma from Mama Syder will be here in August.  Mich x