The Guidelines for a No-Plan Summer

How to Make it Work

My kids finish school in six days.

That’s one hundred and forty-four hours…not that I’m counting.

Eight thousand, six hundred and forty minutes until they run out the doors for the last time this year, hop in the car and ask me what’s for dinner.

And, six days and about two hours until they first tell me they are bored…

Welcome to our ‘No Plan Summer’. We have no camps or lessons booked. No day-trips or play-dates in the calendar. I’m sure these things will end up happening, but as of right now, we are free. (cue children's laughter, or horror movie intro music....)

The rules of the No Plan Summer are few and far between, more like guidelines really.

Here they are:

  Be kind. If I have to stop you and ask if you are being kind, and you can’t tell me yes immediately, stop what you are doing.

  Close the Door. Flies make Mama grumpy, and no one likes a grumpy Mama. If I ever, ever hear the words “I am not paying to air condition the outside” come out of my mouth, there will be consequences.

  Make your own fun. Being bored is a privilege. When you tell me you are bored, I think of what a wonderful life I have given you. Where you can stay home all summer and play, without having to help me pay for your clothes, or your food. I think being bored is good for you.

For the sake of saving time, I have written up the answers to some FAQ

  Yes, you can have another freezie. Please get me one while you’re in there.

  Yes, you can start a lemonade stand.

  Yes, you can use the hose in the backyard, unless you break rule #1. (see, Be Kind)

  No, I’m sorry, but I think you are too big to be outside naked. Getting old is rough, I know.

  Yes, you have to wear your helmet/sunscreen/pants (see rule #4)

  Yes, Mama is working, but I promise to play as soon as I am done. Yes, this is working. Yes, tweeting is working. Who taught you to read anyway?

I can't wait to share the lessons of our No Plan Summer with you. Do you think I'm doing the right thing, letting my children get bored? Let me know in the comments below, I'm going to need all the help I can get.

Kathryn Bechthold is the creator of The Mompreneur® Networking Group Inc. and The Mompreneur® Magazine. She provides information, inspiration and education to Mompreneurs® looking for success with running their own businesses and balancing their family lives.

She has been nominated for a Bennett Jones Emerging Enterprise of the Year Award, has begun to take her magazine across Canada and started a  Mompreneur® Networking group all while raising her 2 year old daughter. She’s a champion skinned knee kisser and an award winning boogeyman chaser!