Need to Get Back on Track

I didn't read your prior responses but I just posted on someone else that I try to keep the same basic schedule for summer that I do during school. We all get up the same time (maybe sleep in a little!!) and eat at the same time, go to bed maybe a 1/2 hour later, but generally the kids are in their rooms at 8pm. They don't have to sleep, but they have to stay in there. My kids are older too: 15 spec needs, 11 and 8. So just because its summer doesn't mean everyone just runs amuck. I have been on this site for several years now and have cut and pasted into a word doc the recipes that moms have posted so if you want to message me your email, I will be happy to send them to you. I am not really an extreme "healthy" cook, I am more the quick and easy cook because I own an insurance agency and work full time but have the luxury of being able to work from home also. So I don't like spending all day in the kitchen. So I guess I view it that just because its summer and everyone is out of school (except my 8 yo is going to summer school) doesn't mean that everything just goes to hell in a handbag. So my advice is to schedule your meals for everyone at the same time and your family time and make sure the teens schedule their activities around YOUR family schedule. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Hi Christi,
It is a common situation especially with kids age household. I am a Mom of 4, and I have a niece who spent summer with us. With pre-teens age kids, you can understand that I experience similar feelings. But during the 1st week after school, I just let them manager their life as they want to. By week 2, I sit everybody for a summer schedule, household chores and usually let them work hings out, cleaning, dish washing, bedrooms cleaning; I keep them busy a few hours a day, I make sure they eat breakfast even if late (10 am), but dinner is family time, just like during school and since we pray before bedtime, prayer time should be respected, I do not necessary urge them to go to bed at 9pm; This chedule will last until 2 weeks before school, because they return to the school programming early enough to get used to their routine; for now, I will say that it works well. Do not be frustrated, and if you want, let them tell you how the want to spend that time, you might be surprise with their creativity.

I have felt the same way, I'm honestly enjoying a little time of sleeping in late and staying up past midnight when my teenage dgtr actually wants to talk to me :)

However, I will start getting up to walk before it becomes too deathly hot and actually having a cup of coffee with my hubby before he leaves for work next week. As for meals, this is a perfect time to hit the farmers market and take advantage of the great fruits and veggies available this time of year! Get an idea of what is typically available at the market you want to go to and prepare in advance with recipies ideas so you aren't overwhelmed when you get there. Think fresh salsa, veggie lasagnas or whatever your family would enjoy.
Another fun job is to tackle the clutter that bugs you all year, I've focused on one thing at a time and I'm already seeing great progress.
Definitely make time to rest up and prep yourself for next school year, but don't let things get down into the blahs, it is very avoidable!

I have the same problem of having our schedule out of whack on weekends even during the school year. We try to have a project of the day and keep mealtimes within 2 hours of normal. I'm still bad about constantly snacking instead of having scheduled snacks between meals.
Seasonal fresh fruit is great for breakfast and easy to grab. I freeze lowfat yogurt for a healthy snack when it's hot. Grilling is good in the summer so the house doesn't heat up. We have frozen chicken for fajitas or stir fry. And frozen pizza(we always add fresh veggies) if we're just too tired to cook.

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I have discovered that on breaks like this I should still use my alarm clock:) Not saying that it will happen;)