Do you find at the end of each summer you didn’t do all that you thought you would? Maybe you didn’t go on a picnic with your child, or didn’t take your son to a baseball game. Or perhaps you never made the road trip to visit mom and dad, or the trip to a historical site, or even the beach. Your intended plans just never seemed to fit into your schedule.

This year, before summer begins, ask each member of your family to write down what they would like to do the most this summer. Typically “big” ideas will come to mind, but you might be surprised that your kids will suggest the simple ones. Maybe your family is interested in a hike up a mountain, fishing, or a backyard water balloon fight.

Once you have a list, you may need to cross off a few hard-to-do ideas due to the cost or length of time required. Provide each family member the new pared down list and have them circle the three options that are most important to them. Keep a tally of the votes. Make a new list in order of the number of votes received, and begin to make plans to schedule your special moments and activities. Remember to schedule the activities with the highest number of votes first. And, if you find your family’s summer schedule has room for even more family fun, have each family member create a new wish list of summer “must dos” and begin the voting process once again!

You’re summer will be sure to end on a peaceful note with many fond memories to look back on.

Happy summer memories!