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A Summer Bucket List for Mom

May 24, 2015 By Kathy Radigan

A Summer Bucket List for Mom

Every summer I vow to make a summertime bucket list with my family.

Have you ever seen one of these? They’re a list of ideas to spark a summer full of enjoyment and learning.

They can be as ambitious as a trip abroad, as fun as a day at the zoo, or as simple as a campout in the backyard. Maybe there’s a series of books you would like to read as a family. You could try every flavor of ice cream at Baskin Robbins or Ben & Jerry’s. The goals’ budget and scope are less important than getting your family to set goals for the summer and accomplish each one.

I am hoping that this is the year we finally draw up our family list.

But I decided to take matters into my own hands and draw up a bucket list that only a mom could truly appreciate. This is what mine would include:

A Mother’s Summer Bucket List:

  • Organize and color coordinate every family member’s closet, with children not only willingly helping but serenading you with traditional folk songs.
  • Get the family to weed flower beds without having to raise your voice, bribe them with puppies, or threaten to cut off all use of YouTube and Instagram
  • Hear the kids say, “Mom, relax and read a book. We’ll put sunblock on each other. (Extra star if this happens and no sibling injuries occur.)
  • Have 24 hours go by without saying, “For the love of all that is good and holy please don’t _______________ again.”
  • Never having to say, “No I don’t think it’s a good idea that you built a swimming pool in the front yard.” Again.
  • Go a whole week without having to hear one of your darlings say, “I’m bored,” “I don’t want to,” or “But he likes it.”
  • Spend a rainy day at the movies. See the whole movie without anyone throwing up or needing 10 bathroom breaks. Extra star if we leave the theater with more popcorn in our stomachs than on the floor.
  • Buy and/or make everybody’s Christmas gift. When Christmas time comes around, actually remember where you put the gifts.
  • Make a whole dinner from the vegetables and herbs you grew in your garden. Extra star if anyone other than you eats it.
  • When packing everyone’s suitcase for vacation, remember to pack underwear and socks.
  • When you take the five-hour car trip to your vacation destination, ban all use of iPhones, iPads, Kindles, and other electronic devices so your children can actually spend quality time together bonding, just like you did as a kid.
  • After 30 minutes of said “bonding,” pull the car over and get everyone’s electronic devices from the trunk and beg them to play a game, any game. Take two Extra Strength Excedrin, and remember there was a reason your parents always looked so tired after those “great” car trips of your youth.
  • Each time you want to wish the summer away, remind yourself that it goes by all too fast, and one day you will miss every gray-hair-inducing minute of your kids’ childhood.

 

*This piece was previously published on the Dishwasher, June 29, 2014 under the title, A Mother’s Summer Bucket List. It has been slightly revised.

Filed Under: Motherhood Tagged With: bucket lists, children growing up, family, family fun, Summer, summer vacation

Comments

  1. Myke Todd says

    May 24, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    I have been cleaning my room since Thursday. I am not yet halfway through. Biggest undertaking ever, other than moving… My efforts, sadly, are not due to something so noble as making a bucket list, but rather, me looking for a single vinyl record. I just know it is here, somewhere…

    Enjoyed your blog, as always. 🙂
    Myke Todd recently posted…PeoniesMy Profile

    • Kathy Radigan says

      May 25, 2015 at 4:19 pm

      Mike I have only cleaned up a room because I am either looking for something or I have to have something done in one of the rooms. Sad, but true! Thanks so much for stopping over and reading me, I really appreciate it! 🙂
      Kathy Radigan recently posted…A Summer Bucket List for MomMy Profile

  2. [email protected] says

    May 24, 2015 at 9:08 pm

    I’m stilling laughing. You crack me up my dear friend!
    And you’re right, it all goes so quickly.
    Hope you had a fabulous summer!
    xoxo
    Nancy
    [email protected] recently posted…Skinny Korean Beef Lettuce CupsMy Profile

    • Kathy Radigan says

      May 25, 2015 at 4:18 pm

      I love you Nancy!! You are so good for my ego! xoxo

  3. Janine Huldie says

    May 24, 2015 at 10:13 pm

    Totally couldn’t agree more and honestly just hoping the summer doesn’t go too fast either as I really want to enjoy as much of it as I can!! 😉

    • Kathy Radigan says

      May 25, 2015 at 4:17 pm

      It does go so, so, so fast Janine. The idea that my Tom is going to be a Junior in high school completely freaks me out. He was in 6th grade when I started this blog!!! xox

  4. michelle says

    May 25, 2015 at 7:19 am

    HAHAHHA…This is a GREAT list!
    michelle recently posted…The Name’s Digger. Grave Digger.My Profile

    • Kathy Radigan says

      May 25, 2015 at 4:15 pm

      Thanks so much Michelle! xo

  5. Stacey says

    May 25, 2015 at 9:36 am

    Socks and underwear are overrated!! Very funny and relatable. Totally have been there on all of these! Thanks for the laugh.
    Stacey recently posted…Dreaming of Relaxing PoolsideMy Profile

    • Kathy Radigan says

      May 25, 2015 at 4:15 pm

      Aren’t they Stacey? Lol! Thanks so much! xo

  6. Bryce Warden says

    May 25, 2015 at 9:52 am

    Funny stuff. I always create a top 5 list for my kids and I and we usually overlap at least 3 things on our lists for day trips – the zoo, beach and amusement park. I will be working part time this summer so that will condense our time and I am determined to get to the gym 3 days a week….that is my biggest goal this summer. Oh and by week 2 of summer vacation I am really done with the whole 3 meals a day thing so I may need to teach one of the kids to cook….that would be a lot of stars.
    Bryce Warden recently posted…1 out of 37…………..Part 9My Profile

    • Kathy Radigan says

      May 25, 2015 at 3:13 pm

      Bryce that is a great idea! I love that you keep it at 5, that is actually doable, thanks!!

  7. Jennifer says

    May 25, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    Crazy fun ideas…with my college girl gone most of the summer, it will definitely be quiet around here. My bucket list may look a bit different than yours…enjoy the moments!
    Jennifer recently posted…Sheep Shearer’s Children In Lake TahoeMy Profile

    • Kathy Radigan says

      May 25, 2015 at 3:12 pm

      No coloring coding closets with kids singing huh? Lol! Sending lots of love my friend! xo

  8. DudeMom says

    May 26, 2015 at 8:11 am

    I haven’t organized a closet in a good 5 years. I’m certain there are baby clothes still hanging in the one. I do love summer though. Probably because I immensely hate homework and waking up before 7.

  9. Liza | @aMusingFoodie says

    May 26, 2015 at 10:49 am

    Hahaha – love this!
    Liza | @aMusingFoodie recently posted…Cookbook Roundup – April 2015My Profile

  10. Bailey Gaddis says

    May 26, 2015 at 11:26 am

    This is amazing. I’m printing it and posting it on the fridge 🙂
    Bailey Gaddis recently posted…A Mom’s Guide to Peeing On the GoMy Profile

  11. Kaly says

    May 26, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    A whole week without I’m bored!!! I would be thrilled with one day. My standards must be waaaay too low.

  12. Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says

    May 26, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    Well, if you figure out how to make all that happen, please tell me your secrets!!! 🙂
    Lisa @ The Golden Spoons recently posted…2015 Summer Bucket List {#TuesdayTen}My Profile

  13. Jill Ginsberg says

    May 26, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    Yes!! And no more than 1 trip per month to the ER would be great, too:)
    Jill Ginsberg recently posted…8 Signs Your Toddler Is Trying To Kill YouMy Profile

  14. Nicole Jankowski says

    May 29, 2015 at 8:10 am

    I just found a whole bag of Christmas presents I forgot to give last year. My hiding places are so good even I don’t know where I hide them. 🙂 You are the cutest, by the way. Love all of this. <3
    Nicole Jankowski recently posted…Come Back, DetroitMy Profile

  15. Linda Roy says

    June 1, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    We’ve got #1 in the bag. I’m reaching for my Pete Seeger song book right now… 😉 These are hysterical! xo
    Linda Roy recently posted…You Can Have Your Consumer TMIMy Profile

Trackbacks

  1. Making A Summer Bucket List for Mom | RealityMoms.Rocks says:
    January 22, 2017 at 5:49 pm

    […] piece was originally published on My Dishwasher’s Possessed!  Reprinted with […]

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