We have felt it, we have talked about it, and we feel we are still living in it.

The Groundhog’s Day of COVID. As in the movie with Bill Murray, we all are working to make sense of the world we live in today!

During this crazy time, weekends seem to have gotten lost in the shuffle of the quarantine. Work bleeds over into the weekends and so did the kids’ online learning.

Schedules have gone out the window. Work has become a 24 x7 reality for many. We find ourselves wondering what day it is as we trudge on. Companies keep trying to remind us to take out vacation, as we continue on in this trance of quarantine.

Summer has possibly given families a little break, but as we head back to school (however that will look), it is time to make a plan to take back our weekends!

How can you make sure to carve out some time for relaxing and recharging?

Begin by finding ways to put some fun on the calendar.

With a little focus and some inspiration, we can look forward to some days off again! Here are over 15 ideas to get you started!

Weekend Plans

• Parents, take turns giving each other a little free time for doing things you enjoy like reading, exercising, or just relaxing. Single parents, who could you have to babysit the kids occasionally so you can have some alone time?

• Pick new parks in your city or town, pack a lunch and have a picnic! Don’t forget your frisbee!

• Will the NFL play? I hope so! Set up a Family and Friends Fantasy Football League this fall! You may need to draft and manage it virtually, but let the kids help pick players or have a team of their own!

• Paint and Pop! Pass out the paper, paints, and brushes. Pour your favorite soda-pop or make your favorite ice cream shake. Find a YouTube painting tutorial and find out who the real Picasso of the family is!

• Make reservations for places just starting to re-open. The Zoo? Your favorite restaurant? The Museum? Enjoy!

• Prepare a high tea complete with little sandwiches and cakes. Invite the stuffed animals and dress up of course! Oh, and mind your fancy manners!

• Roast marshmallows and have some fun items to make extra delicious smores. You can add cherries, nuts, coconut, caramel, sprinkles?

• Have a glow in the dark night. Use glow in the dark necklaces for ring toss over water bottles. Lay them on the ground for some backyard putt-putt in the dark! Wear them for bedtime stories!

• I do love a good Family Happy Hour!

• Go fly a kite!

• Learn a new hobby together. Juggling? Photography? Baking?

• Create a dance party playlist, move the coffee table out and bring your best moves the to party!

• While the coffee table has been moved, unroll the sleeping bags and have a family slumber party! Watch a movie and eat some popcorn!

• Declare Saturday or Sunday nights as Dessert night! Take turns making the dessert of the week!

• Stay up late, and sleep in once in a while! Let the kids make cereal for you and watch some cartoons!

• How about cooking up a Sunday brunch?

That’s a lot to get you started! If you need more inspiration, check out…

Parenting Summer Break: Fun Food Ideas

Ideas to Help Build Parenting Stamina

Turn the Coffee Table into a Family Inspiration Station

Over 30 Stay-cation Ideas for Families

Stay tuned for more summer ideas!

Parenting is not about perfection.

It’s about the POWER in your PLAN!

Think it! Note it! Parent it!

Ready to start your parenting plan? Check out the Noteworthy Parenting Book and Journal available on Amazon.com