June 11, 2025 • 22 mins
Surviving Summer with Kids: Real Talk, Beautiful Boundaries & Sanity-Saving Tips
Summer with kids can be a lot—the snacks, the screen time requests, the sibling squabbles, and the constant “I’m bored!” soundtrack. If you’re already feeling stretched thin, this episode is your lifeline.
I’m sharing my real-life, mom-tested tips to bring more peace, fun, and structure into your summer days—without turning into a cruise director or losing your sanity. From our “I’m bored” chore policy to how we keep grocery runs less miserable (yes, really), these are the boundaries and rhythms that help our family enjoy the season and stay sane.
You’ll learn:
-
How to set simple routines that ease decision fatigue.
-
Why quiet time is magic (and not just for toddlers!).
-
Ways to encourage creativity without constant entertainment.
-
How boundaries actually improve everyone’s attitude.
-
The power of doing one fun thing each week—on purpose.
Whether you're knee-deep in snack wrappers or just trying to figure out how to make summer enjoyable again, this episode is packed with encouragement and doable strategies.
Find the clock that was worth every penny here.
🎧 Plus, check out my summer recipe inspiration board on Pinterest!
SHOW SOME LOVE: If this episode encouraged you, I’d love for you to leave a quick rating and review here. Your words brighten my day and also help more mamas discover the hope, healing, and joy they deserve.
WORK WITH ME TO RESTORE YOUR ENERGY + DISCOVER YOUR DESIGN FOR HEALTH AS A BUSY MAMA: Option 1) Join the Live Healthy, Mama coaching program today! Find all the details here.
Option 2) Work 1:1 with me to reach your wellness goals - without the overwhelm -and get total clarity on living the healthy and energetic life you were created for. Get the details here.
- Want to make sure coaching is right for you? Book a FREE Discovery Call here!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jerusha Jantz, Holistic Wellness Coach for Christian Moms:
Welcome to Tired Mommy Revival. (00:01):
undefined
Hey mama.
Are you running on coffee fumes,feeling like brain fog, fatigue
and anxiety, or running the show?
Do you wake up dreading the dayahead already overwhelmed by the
endless to-do list, and unsurehow you'll make it through.
Do you long for the energyto enjoy motherhood?
(00:23):
And care for yourself, but feelstuck and unsure where to start.
Let me remind you ofsomething life changing.
You were created for more, moreenergy, more clarity, more joy.
Hi, I'm Jerusha, certifiedHolistic Wellness Coach.
Wife and mom to two wild boysand one baby girl in heaven.
(00:46):
I know the exhaustion you'refeeling because I've been there
barely making it through the day.
Relying on coffee and chocolate tosurvive and wondering why nothing
I tried ever made me feel better.
Then God stepped in andrevealed a powerful truth.
A woman's body is beautifullyand uniquely designed to thrive.
(01:07):
When we align with how God createdus, we can boost our energy bust
through fatigue and step into thevibrant, joy filled life he has for us.
Mama.
I'm living proof thatit's possible these days.
I wake up, refreshed, nourished my bodywith intention and navigate the chaos
of motherhood with patience and peace.
(01:28):
Most days, and I wannahelp you do the same.
If you're ready to swap exhaustion forenergy, brain fog for clarity and guilt
for grace, you are in the right place.
Each week we'll dive into practicalstrategies, faith-filled truths,
and empowering tools to renew yourhealth, body, soul, and spirit.
(01:48):
Are you ready for this?
Let's do it, mama.
If you are in the thick of summer andalready wondering how you're going to
make it to August without completelylosing it, this episode is for you, mama.
Because listen, I love summer.
The longer days, fresh produce,more freedom with the kids.
(02:11):
It all sounds great.
And it is!
But the reality, it canfeel like chaos too.
And if you're a tired mom, jugglingkids snacks, screen time negotiations,
and mountains of laundry that seemto multiply in the heat, I see you.
So today I want to share some ofthese simple things that help me
(02:33):
not just survive summer with mykids, but actually find a little
rhythm and joy in the middle of it.
Now I do not claim to be aparenting expert by any means.
But I have learned a lot over theyears and some of these pieces of
advice that I'm going to share withyou today are things that I have
(02:54):
heard from friends over the years.
And when I heard them, I stoppedand thought, "duh, that's so
simple, but so brilliant".
So I hope that sharing some ofthese simple pieces of advice with
you today will perhaps be some ofthe brilliant things that you need
to make your summer better too.
So let's start with number one: schedule one fun thing a week. (03:16):
undefined
Now maybe you are that magical momwho always has something fun planned.
Good for you, girl.
But I'll be honest, summer gets busy.
Between gardening, keeping up withwork, and just regular life stuff,
(03:37):
it's easy for the whole season to flyby without doing anything memorable.
So we made a simple rule oncea week we do something fun.
That might be swimming, a trip to thepark, popsicles on the porch, a visit to
the zoo, or even just a backyard picnic.
(03:58):
Nothing fancy, just somethingthat feels like summer.
When I plan for it, it actually happensand the kids remember it, which is
what we're all going for, right?
Is summer memories.
Number two is make errands less miserable.
I think that sometimes when my kids aregone at school that they forget that
(04:22):
mom has a life and that groceries don'tappear in the fridge by themselves.
My kids are not big fans ofgrocery shopping, or car rides,
or basically anything that doesn'tinvolve snacks or a screen.
So to keep the peace we'velearned to make errands more fun.
(04:42):
I put on kid friendly podcasts in thecar, like Brains On, or Wow in the
World, Earth Rangers, Forever Ago,the Tumble Science Podcast, or my
kid's current favorite Flip and Mozi.
If you like to learn about animalswith cute little aliens while also
(05:04):
participating in basically a musical,you're going to love Flip and Mosey too.
So check it out.
Suddenly it becomes somethingthey look forward to.
I'll even let them help picka fun item for a meal will
make that day sometimes too.
Errands are still errands, but a goodstory in the car makes a huge difference.
(05:26):
Plus, it keeps me sane when thetrip takes longer than expected,
which to be honest, is every time.
Number three, and my personalfavorite, is the "I'm Bored" policy.
This is the rule that I learnedfrom a friend a few years ago
that is literally pure genius.
Let's talk about that dreaded word, bored.
(05:49):
The second I hear it, my responseis always the same, "oh, perfect.
You can help me clean the bathroom."Or some other part of the house.
We have an official I am board policyin our house and I like to remind
my kids at the dawn of summer break.
(06:11):
If you say the "B" word or anyvariation of it, it means you
must be volunteering for chores.
Now, do they love this?
Of course not.
But it definitely cuts back on thewhining, and it teaches them that it's
not my job to entertain them 24/7.
(06:32):
I love my kids.
I love spending time with them,but I am not a cruise director.
And setting that boundary?
Total game changer.
Honestly, sometimes I wish theywould say it just so that I can get
a little extra help around the house.
All right, number fouris boundaries are a gift.
(06:52):
For them, and for you, mama.
Summer can feel like a free for allwithout some structure in place.
That doesn't mean every minute isscheduled, but we do have a few
simple, non-negotiable boundariesthat help all of us function better.
Number one is scream time limits.
Number two is snack windows.
(07:15):
Because "can I have a snack" 48times a day is not my calling.
Number three is TV time boundaries.
And lastly, is quiet time.
The best part?
These boundaries eliminateso much decision fatigue.
When my kids ask, can I have a snack?
(07:37):
I can say, snack time is after quiet time.
Done.
And it helps their attitudes toobecause they know even if they
can't have something now, they'sa time coming when they can.
It's predictable, it's fair, and ithelps everyone stay a little more
emotionally regulated, myself included.
(08:00):
Okay, let's talk about that last boundary,quiet time, just a little bit more.
Because the thing is quiettime isn't just for toddlers.
And this is my tip number five.
Let me just say quiet timeis holy ground in our house.
Every day after lunch, we havesome kind of personal downtime.
(08:22):
It's not always a nap, becauseunfortunately we grew out of nap
times, but it is always space.
I use that time to record podcasts,like right now, catch up on work, or
honestly just sit still and breathe.
But here's why I love it.
It sets a healthy example.
(08:43):
It teaches your kids thatrest isn't lazy, it's wise.
And some of your kids will needmore personal space to recharge
than others, and that's okay.
Quiet time shows them that it's goodto honor their own needs, their limits,
and to respect the needs of others too.
It's a refresher for everyone.
(09:05):
And, a built-in reset whenthings start spiraling.
Because let's be honest, sometimesmy kids play together so well, and
they are so cute and sweet together.
But everybody has limits and sometimesthey start out really great in the
morning and by the evening, my older sonhas had enough of his little brother.
(09:30):
This is a great time for all ofus to get a minute to chill out.
And on those days when they wake up,basically at each other's throats, pushing
each other's buttons, annoying one anotherfrom the get go, let's be honest, I am
counting the minutes until quiet time sowe can all get a little breather, get a
(09:51):
little recharge for the day, and come backtogether in the evening with more patience
and grace for each other as a family.
We usually do quiettime for an hour or two.
And a tip that I have is, number one, helpthem find something that they enjoy doing.
(10:11):
It's not just about sticking themin their rooms and making them go
away, but it's about helping themfind a way to really enjoy this
quiet, personal space that they have.
And if "quiet time" doesn't workfor you, then let's maybe call it
" personal space time", or somethingthat feels intuitive and beneficial
and beautiful to your family, butmake it something that's enjoyable.
(10:35):
If you have littles, helpthem find an activity.
Even if they're not in their room, butthey're in a room of the house where
they can have some quiet personal space.
Maybe it's playing withPlay-Doh, or doing water colors.
Or if they're painting, just makesure that they have washable paint
(10:57):
so that anything that gets messycan easily be cleaned up afterward.
And that they can do somethingthat they need little to no
assistance or supervision with.
The other thing that I reallylove doing, my youngest is five,
and he cannot read the time.
We actually got this littleclock a couple years ago, which
(11:20):
has been an absolute lifesaver.
It's like $50 for this little clock onAmazon, and I was so skeptical of getting
it in the first place because I waslike, really $50 for this little clock?
Like, is it even worth it?
Let me tell you, it is worth every penny.
This helps me set time boundarieswith my toddler and it is so helpful
(11:45):
and so beautiful for both of us.
So I use this at quiet time.
You can set like a nap timer and youcan set the time limit that's on it and
when his time is up, it will turn green.
That helps him know when he can get up.
We use this when he was takingnaps, so he knew that he could rest
(12:06):
well until his clock was green.
He didn't have to get up 10times and say, can I get up now?
How long have I been sleeping?
Has it been an hour?
Am I done yet?
He knew when his clock turned greenthat it was time to get up and that
helped him stay in bed and it helpedhim rest longer without this, you
know, kind of anxiety that he wasgoing to miss out on something.
(12:27):
And this works for quiet time too.
I set the nap time timer and itturns green when he comes out and
he knows it's going to turn green atsome point and then I can come out.
That way he doesn't have tokeep asking me, you know,
how much time do I have left?
Can I come out yet?
Are we done yet?
I don't get all of those questionsbecause he knows when his clock
turns green, he can come out.
(12:48):
I also use this at bedtime.
We set it in in the morning.
He has, it's kind of like a little alarm.
It doesn't make a noise, but alittle yellow light will turn on
15 minutes before he can get up.
So if he is already awake in hisroom and he sees the yellow light,
then he knows that he can getup and play quietly in his room.
(13:10):
But when the clock turns green,that means he can get up now
and come out of his room.
That helps me because I likehim to wake up at seven o'clock.
It works for us.
There was a time when I decided "Iam finally going to get up early and
I'm going to read my Bible", and Iwas so proud of myself and I would
(13:33):
wake up at six o'clock and I would getmy Bible out and guess who woke up?
I was like, "whoa, I love you.
But I did not wake upearly to be with you.
If this is what we were goingto do I would still be sleeping.
Mommy needs her space andI need time with God".
And so that was really the reason that wegot this clock in the first place, was so
(13:57):
that he would stay in bed until seven, andI knew that if I got up at six, I had an
hour of personal space and time with Godto read my Bible that was uninterrupted.
And honestly, the clock just worksgreat for nap time, and now quiet time
too, and it has been a real lifesaver.
I will put the link down below in theshow notes if you want to check it out
(14:18):
for yourself too, depending on how oldyour kids are, it could be really great.
Of course, my oldest can read time, so Ijust let him know either an hour or like
a certain time when he can come out andthen he knows that he's got quiet time
up until then, and then everybody cancome out and we all feel so much more
freshed and energized and patient witheach other when we all come out, and
(14:39):
it's been super helpful for everybody.
Alright, number six is: creativity happens in the margin. (14:42):
undefined
When you limit screen times andadd a few boundaries, something
amazing starts to happen.
Your kids remember how to play.
They start building forts, creatingdomino runs, playing card games,
(15:02):
painting, making up stories, learningto knit, or build with Legos.
One of my kids recentlytried weaving a hat.
He also really loves scienceexperiments, whether it's a kit
or something he found on YouTube.
None of this would happen if theywere on a screen all day, so don't
be afraid to let them be bored.
(15:24):
Boredom breeds imagination, oncethey realize you're not going to
rescue them from it with an iPad.
Reading is something we alsointegrate into our daily life as well.
For my little guy, if I can't sit and readwith him, sometimes that means that he's
listening to a story on his Yoto player.
But for my older son, we had summerswhen we were really trying to integrate
(15:49):
a love of reading with him, and I wentthrough a lot of work to find books
that he loved and we made readingmandatory, but we started out paying
him for every book that he read.
And as he got a little bit older,we put some different limits on how
much money he could earn from books.
(16:10):
Like a big book might be $2, or maybeeven $5 depending on where they're at
and how difficult a book they're reading.
But if he's reading like this tinylittle book, well, he's not going to
earn two or three books for reading atiny book that took him like a couple
hours to read, so he might only earnlike a dollar for reading a smaller book.
(16:31):
But that was a huge motivationfor him when he was young.
Now I take my kids to the libraryat the start of summer, we go
regularly, and he almost always hassomething to read and I don't even
have to tell him that he has to read.
It happens naturally because he's justgotten in this flow of reading books and
(16:52):
enjoying reading, and when he's bored,he turns to a book to read instead.
And I will pick a book over screentime for them every single time.
Number seven is (17:03):
more people home, equals more mess, which equals more help.
Let's talk about chores.
During the school year,I'm way more lenient.
Usually I try to get my kids, especiallymy older son, to do one chore a day to
help out, even if it's something small.
(17:24):
But let's be honest, now thathe's in middle school, the
workload and the homework hasgotten a lot more overwhelming.
And sometimes between events andthings that we have going on in the
evenings, honestly, I don't wantto go around and act like the chore
Nazi, forcing my kids to do somethingaround the house when they're
(17:45):
already working really hard in theireducation and their extra activities.
But in the summer they're home all day.
They have more energy.
They're eating 3,927 mealsand snacks in the kitchen.
I'm just kidding, wehave limits on snacks.
But they're tracking mudand grass in constantly.
(18:09):
And the thing is the floors get dirtyso easily, and there's more dishes,
and just a lot more to do, so it'sonly fair that they help more too.
Whether it's wiping counters, foldinglaundry, or helping prepare dinner,
summer is a great time to teachresponsibility, lighten your load,
(18:29):
and give them a sense of contribution.
Plus it keeps them occupied on the dayswe're stuck inside because it's too hot
or the pollen count is out of control.
I have actually realized that somethingthat we do throughout the year, you know
when a lot of people are spring cleaning,like February or March, the weather is
(18:50):
cool and we are actually outside preppingour garden and doing a lot of yard work.
And it's actually really nice becauseit's not too hot, the pollen count is so
much lower, and it's just a great timeto get outside and do that yard work.
So we don't really get to a lotof spring cleaning in the house.
But in the heat of summer,when it's too hot to go out all
(19:14):
the time, or we have a smaller
Jerusha (19:17):
Mama, I hope this episode blessed you and reminded you that you were
beautifully and uniquely made to thrive.
If today's conversation spoke to yourheart, I'd love for you to take a
moment to leave a rating and review.
Not only does it encourage me,but it helps more tired mamas
discover the hope, healing, andenergy they've been searching for.
You are not in this alone.
(19:39):
Make sure to hit subscribeso you never miss an episode.
Together we will reclaim yourenergy, renew your health, and revive
your spirit one step at a time.
Until next time.
Remember, you are beautifully designed byGod to live with energy, clarity, and joy.
You're not just surviving mama.
You're stepping into the vibrantlife you were created for.
(20:01):
I'm cheering you on.
window of when we actually want to beoutside, like in the mornings, and we're
stuck in the house the rest of the day,or maybe going outside feels like we're
going to catch the flu because thepollen count is so ridiculously high.
We actually spend more time inside,and that's kind of when I like to
do our deep cleaning in the house.
(20:24):
We're less busy and we're inside,we might as well do it now.
So this helps a ton because thekids are home to help me with it
too, and we get to do it together.
Lastly, mama, I want to remindyou to give yourself some grace.
I know summer can be a lot, andif you're in the weeds of it right
(20:47):
now, just know you're not alone.
Not every day will be smooth.
Not every plan will work.
But a little intention and a fewboundaries can go a long way.
You're doing better than youthink, so give yourself grace.
Let the laundry pile up sometimes.
Give yourself permissionto have an easy dinner.
(21:09):
The most important thing isn'tthe perfect summer memories.
It's that you're present.
It's that you're modeling a mom whoshows up with love, takes care of
herself too, and embraces the beautifulchaos that summer with kids brings.
Lastly, if you need some summerrecipe inspiration from healthy snacks
(21:31):
to easy grilled dinners or potluckideas, check out my Pinterest board.
I'll drop the link in the show notes.
And if this episode helped you feel alittle more sane, would you share it
with a fellow mama trying to make itthrough the summer without burning out?
You've got this friend and I'mcheering you on every step of the way.
Jerusha Jantz, Holistic Wellness Coach for Christian Moms: Mama, I hope this episode blessed (21:51):
undefined
you and reminded you that you werebeautifully and uniquely made to thrive.
If today's conversation spoke to yourheart, I'd love for you to take a
moment to leave a rating and review.
Not only does it encourage me,but it helps more tired mamas
discover the hope, healing, andenergy they've been searching for.
You are not in this alone.
(22:13):
Make sure to hit subscribeso you never miss an episode.
Together we will reclaim yourenergy, renew your health, and revive
your spirit one step at a time.
Until next time.
Remember, you are beautifully designed byGod to live with energy, clarity, and joy.
You're not just surviving mama.
You're stepping into the vibrantlife you were created for.
(22:35):
I'm cheering you on.
undefined
Hey mama.
Are you running on coffee fumes,feeling like brain fog, fatigue
and anxiety, or running the show?
Do you wake up dreading the dayahead already overwhelmed by the
endless to-do list, and unsurehow you'll make it through.
Do you long for the energyto enjoy motherhood?
(00:23):
And care for yourself, but feelstuck and unsure where to start.
Let me remind you ofsomething life changing.
You were created for more, moreenergy, more clarity, more joy.
Hi, I'm Jerusha, certifiedHolistic Wellness Coach.
Wife and mom to two wild boysand one baby girl in heaven.
(00:46):
I know the exhaustion you'refeeling because I've been there
barely making it through the day.
Relying on coffee and chocolate tosurvive and wondering why nothing
I tried ever made me feel better.
Then God stepped in andrevealed a powerful truth.
A woman's body is beautifullyand uniquely designed to thrive.
(01:07):
When we align with how God createdus, we can boost our energy bust
through fatigue and step into thevibrant, joy filled life he has for us.
Mama.
I'm living proof thatit's possible these days.
I wake up, refreshed, nourished my bodywith intention and navigate the chaos
of motherhood with patience and peace.
(01:28):
Most days, and I wannahelp you do the same.
If you're ready to swap exhaustion forenergy, brain fog for clarity and guilt
for grace, you are in the right place.
Each week we'll dive into practicalstrategies, faith-filled truths,
and empowering tools to renew yourhealth, body, soul, and spirit.
(01:48):
Are you ready for this?
Let's do it, mama.
If you are in the thick of summer andalready wondering how you're going to
make it to August without completelylosing it, this episode is for you, mama.
Because listen, I love summer.
The longer days, fresh produce,more freedom with the kids.
(02:11):
It all sounds great.
And it is!
But the reality, it canfeel like chaos too.
And if you're a tired mom, jugglingkids snacks, screen time negotiations,
and mountains of laundry that seemto multiply in the heat, I see you.
So today I want to share some ofthese simple things that help me
(02:33):
not just survive summer with mykids, but actually find a little
rhythm and joy in the middle of it.
Now I do not claim to be aparenting expert by any means.
But I have learned a lot over theyears and some of these pieces of
advice that I'm going to share withyou today are things that I have
(02:54):
heard from friends over the years.
And when I heard them, I stoppedand thought, "duh, that's so
simple, but so brilliant".
So I hope that sharing some ofthese simple pieces of advice with
you today will perhaps be some ofthe brilliant things that you need
to make your summer better too.
So let's start with number one: schedule one fun thing a week. (03:16):
undefined
Now maybe you are that magical momwho always has something fun planned.
Good for you, girl.
But I'll be honest, summer gets busy.
Between gardening, keeping up withwork, and just regular life stuff,
(03:37):
it's easy for the whole season to flyby without doing anything memorable.
So we made a simple rule oncea week we do something fun.
That might be swimming, a trip to thepark, popsicles on the porch, a visit to
the zoo, or even just a backyard picnic.
(03:58):
Nothing fancy, just somethingthat feels like summer.
When I plan for it, it actually happensand the kids remember it, which is
what we're all going for, right?
Is summer memories.
Number two is make errands less miserable.
I think that sometimes when my kids aregone at school that they forget that
(04:22):
mom has a life and that groceries don'tappear in the fridge by themselves.
My kids are not big fans ofgrocery shopping, or car rides,
or basically anything that doesn'tinvolve snacks or a screen.
So to keep the peace we'velearned to make errands more fun.
(04:42):
I put on kid friendly podcasts in thecar, like Brains On, or Wow in the
World, Earth Rangers, Forever Ago,the Tumble Science Podcast, or my
kid's current favorite Flip and Mozi.
If you like to learn about animalswith cute little aliens while also
(05:04):
participating in basically a musical,you're going to love Flip and Mosey too.
So check it out.
Suddenly it becomes somethingthey look forward to.
I'll even let them help picka fun item for a meal will
make that day sometimes too.
Errands are still errands, but a goodstory in the car makes a huge difference.
(05:26):
Plus, it keeps me sane when thetrip takes longer than expected,
which to be honest, is every time.
Number three, and my personalfavorite, is the "I'm Bored" policy.
This is the rule that I learnedfrom a friend a few years ago
that is literally pure genius.
Let's talk about that dreaded word, bored.
(05:49):
The second I hear it, my responseis always the same, "oh, perfect.
You can help me clean the bathroom."Or some other part of the house.
We have an official I am board policyin our house and I like to remind
my kids at the dawn of summer break.
(06:11):
If you say the "B" word or anyvariation of it, it means you
must be volunteering for chores.
Now, do they love this?
Of course not.
But it definitely cuts back on thewhining, and it teaches them that it's
not my job to entertain them 24/7.
(06:32):
I love my kids.
I love spending time with them,but I am not a cruise director.
And setting that boundary?
Total game changer.
Honestly, sometimes I wish theywould say it just so that I can get
a little extra help around the house.
All right, number fouris boundaries are a gift.
(06:52):
For them, and for you, mama.
Summer can feel like a free for allwithout some structure in place.
That doesn't mean every minute isscheduled, but we do have a few
simple, non-negotiable boundariesthat help all of us function better.
Number one is scream time limits.
Number two is snack windows.
(07:15):
Because "can I have a snack" 48times a day is not my calling.
Number three is TV time boundaries.
And lastly, is quiet time.
The best part?
These boundaries eliminateso much decision fatigue.
When my kids ask, can I have a snack?
(07:37):
I can say, snack time is after quiet time.
Done.
And it helps their attitudes toobecause they know even if they
can't have something now, they'sa time coming when they can.
It's predictable, it's fair, and ithelps everyone stay a little more
emotionally regulated, myself included.
(08:00):
Okay, let's talk about that last boundary,quiet time, just a little bit more.
Because the thing is quiettime isn't just for toddlers.
And this is my tip number five.
Let me just say quiet timeis holy ground in our house.
Every day after lunch, we havesome kind of personal downtime.
(08:22):
It's not always a nap, becauseunfortunately we grew out of nap
times, but it is always space.
I use that time to record podcasts,like right now, catch up on work, or
honestly just sit still and breathe.
But here's why I love it.
It sets a healthy example.
(08:43):
It teaches your kids thatrest isn't lazy, it's wise.
And some of your kids will needmore personal space to recharge
than others, and that's okay.
Quiet time shows them that it's goodto honor their own needs, their limits,
and to respect the needs of others too.
It's a refresher for everyone.
(09:05):
And, a built-in reset whenthings start spiraling.
Because let's be honest, sometimesmy kids play together so well, and
they are so cute and sweet together.
But everybody has limits and sometimesthey start out really great in the
morning and by the evening, my older sonhas had enough of his little brother.
(09:30):
This is a great time for all ofus to get a minute to chill out.
And on those days when they wake up,basically at each other's throats, pushing
each other's buttons, annoying one anotherfrom the get go, let's be honest, I am
counting the minutes until quiet time sowe can all get a little breather, get a
(09:51):
little recharge for the day, and come backtogether in the evening with more patience
and grace for each other as a family.
We usually do quiettime for an hour or two.
And a tip that I have is, number one, helpthem find something that they enjoy doing.
(10:11):
It's not just about sticking themin their rooms and making them go
away, but it's about helping themfind a way to really enjoy this
quiet, personal space that they have.
And if "quiet time" doesn't workfor you, then let's maybe call it
" personal space time", or somethingthat feels intuitive and beneficial
and beautiful to your family, butmake it something that's enjoyable.
(10:35):
If you have littles, helpthem find an activity.
Even if they're not in their room, butthey're in a room of the house where
they can have some quiet personal space.
Maybe it's playing withPlay-Doh, or doing water colors.
Or if they're painting, just makesure that they have washable paint
(10:57):
so that anything that gets messycan easily be cleaned up afterward.
And that they can do somethingthat they need little to no
assistance or supervision with.
The other thing that I reallylove doing, my youngest is five,
and he cannot read the time.
We actually got this littleclock a couple years ago, which
(11:20):
has been an absolute lifesaver.
It's like $50 for this little clock onAmazon, and I was so skeptical of getting
it in the first place because I waslike, really $50 for this little clock?
Like, is it even worth it?
Let me tell you, it is worth every penny.
This helps me set time boundarieswith my toddler and it is so helpful
(11:45):
and so beautiful for both of us.
So I use this at quiet time.
You can set like a nap timer and youcan set the time limit that's on it and
when his time is up, it will turn green.
That helps him know when he can get up.
We use this when he was takingnaps, so he knew that he could rest
(12:06):
well until his clock was green.
He didn't have to get up 10times and say, can I get up now?
How long have I been sleeping?
Has it been an hour?
Am I done yet?
He knew when his clock turned greenthat it was time to get up and that
helped him stay in bed and it helpedhim rest longer without this, you
know, kind of anxiety that he wasgoing to miss out on something.
(12:27):
And this works for quiet time too.
I set the nap time timer and itturns green when he comes out and
he knows it's going to turn green atsome point and then I can come out.
That way he doesn't have tokeep asking me, you know,
how much time do I have left?
Can I come out yet?
Are we done yet?
I don't get all of those questionsbecause he knows when his clock
turns green, he can come out.
(12:48):
I also use this at bedtime.
We set it in in the morning.
He has, it's kind of like a little alarm.
It doesn't make a noise, but alittle yellow light will turn on
15 minutes before he can get up.
So if he is already awake in hisroom and he sees the yellow light,
then he knows that he can getup and play quietly in his room.
(13:10):
But when the clock turns green,that means he can get up now
and come out of his room.
That helps me because I likehim to wake up at seven o'clock.
It works for us.
There was a time when I decided "Iam finally going to get up early and
I'm going to read my Bible", and Iwas so proud of myself and I would
(13:33):
wake up at six o'clock and I would getmy Bible out and guess who woke up?
I was like, "whoa, I love you.
But I did not wake upearly to be with you.
If this is what we were goingto do I would still be sleeping.
Mommy needs her space andI need time with God".
And so that was really the reason that wegot this clock in the first place, was so
(13:57):
that he would stay in bed until seven, andI knew that if I got up at six, I had an
hour of personal space and time with Godto read my Bible that was uninterrupted.
And honestly, the clock just worksgreat for nap time, and now quiet time
too, and it has been a real lifesaver.
I will put the link down below in theshow notes if you want to check it out
(14:18):
for yourself too, depending on how oldyour kids are, it could be really great.
Of course, my oldest can read time, so Ijust let him know either an hour or like
a certain time when he can come out andthen he knows that he's got quiet time
up until then, and then everybody cancome out and we all feel so much more
freshed and energized and patient witheach other when we all come out, and
(14:39):
it's been super helpful for everybody.
Alright, number six is: creativity happens in the margin. (14:42):
undefined
When you limit screen times andadd a few boundaries, something
amazing starts to happen.
Your kids remember how to play.
They start building forts, creatingdomino runs, playing card games,
(15:02):
painting, making up stories, learningto knit, or build with Legos.
One of my kids recentlytried weaving a hat.
He also really loves scienceexperiments, whether it's a kit
or something he found on YouTube.
None of this would happen if theywere on a screen all day, so don't
be afraid to let them be bored.
(15:24):
Boredom breeds imagination, oncethey realize you're not going to
rescue them from it with an iPad.
Reading is something we alsointegrate into our daily life as well.
For my little guy, if I can't sit and readwith him, sometimes that means that he's
listening to a story on his Yoto player.
But for my older son, we had summerswhen we were really trying to integrate
(15:49):
a love of reading with him, and I wentthrough a lot of work to find books
that he loved and we made readingmandatory, but we started out paying
him for every book that he read.
And as he got a little bit older,we put some different limits on how
much money he could earn from books.
(16:10):
Like a big book might be $2, or maybeeven $5 depending on where they're at
and how difficult a book they're reading.
But if he's reading like this tinylittle book, well, he's not going to
earn two or three books for reading atiny book that took him like a couple
hours to read, so he might only earnlike a dollar for reading a smaller book.
(16:31):
But that was a huge motivationfor him when he was young.
Now I take my kids to the libraryat the start of summer, we go
regularly, and he almost always hassomething to read and I don't even
have to tell him that he has to read.
It happens naturally because he's justgotten in this flow of reading books and
(16:52):
enjoying reading, and when he's bored,he turns to a book to read instead.
And I will pick a book over screentime for them every single time.
Number seven is (17:03):
more people home, equals more mess, which equals more help.
Let's talk about chores.
During the school year,I'm way more lenient.
Usually I try to get my kids, especiallymy older son, to do one chore a day to
help out, even if it's something small.
(17:24):
But let's be honest, now thathe's in middle school, the
workload and the homework hasgotten a lot more overwhelming.
And sometimes between events andthings that we have going on in the
evenings, honestly, I don't wantto go around and act like the chore
Nazi, forcing my kids to do somethingaround the house when they're
(17:45):
already working really hard in theireducation and their extra activities.
But in the summer they're home all day.
They have more energy.
They're eating 3,927 mealsand snacks in the kitchen.
I'm just kidding, wehave limits on snacks.
But they're tracking mudand grass in constantly.
(18:09):
And the thing is the floors get dirtyso easily, and there's more dishes,
and just a lot more to do, so it'sonly fair that they help more too.
Whether it's wiping counters, foldinglaundry, or helping prepare dinner,
summer is a great time to teachresponsibility, lighten your load,
(18:29):
and give them a sense of contribution.
Plus it keeps them occupied on the dayswe're stuck inside because it's too hot
or the pollen count is out of control.
I have actually realized that somethingthat we do throughout the year, you know
when a lot of people are spring cleaning,like February or March, the weather is
(18:50):
cool and we are actually outside preppingour garden and doing a lot of yard work.
And it's actually really nice becauseit's not too hot, the pollen count is so
much lower, and it's just a great timeto get outside and do that yard work.
So we don't really get to a lotof spring cleaning in the house.
But in the heat of summer,when it's too hot to go out all
(19:14):
the time, or we have a smaller
Jerusha (19:17):
Mama, I hope this episode blessed you and reminded you that you were
beautifully and uniquely made to thrive.
If today's conversation spoke to yourheart, I'd love for you to take a
moment to leave a rating and review.
Not only does it encourage me,but it helps more tired mamas
discover the hope, healing, andenergy they've been searching for.
You are not in this alone.
(19:39):
Make sure to hit subscribeso you never miss an episode.
Together we will reclaim yourenergy, renew your health, and revive
your spirit one step at a time.
Until next time.
Remember, you are beautifully designed byGod to live with energy, clarity, and joy.
You're not just surviving mama.
You're stepping into the vibrantlife you were created for.
(20:01):
I'm cheering you on.
window of when we actually want to beoutside, like in the mornings, and we're
stuck in the house the rest of the day,or maybe going outside feels like we're
going to catch the flu because thepollen count is so ridiculously high.
We actually spend more time inside,and that's kind of when I like to
do our deep cleaning in the house.
(20:24):
We're less busy and we're inside,we might as well do it now.
So this helps a ton because thekids are home to help me with it
too, and we get to do it together.
Lastly, mama, I want to remindyou to give yourself some grace.
I know summer can be a lot, andif you're in the weeds of it right
(20:47):
now, just know you're not alone.
Not every day will be smooth.
Not every plan will work.
But a little intention and a fewboundaries can go a long way.
You're doing better than youthink, so give yourself grace.
Let the laundry pile up sometimes.
Give yourself permissionto have an easy dinner.
(21:09):
The most important thing isn'tthe perfect summer memories.
It's that you're present.
It's that you're modeling a mom whoshows up with love, takes care of
herself too, and embraces the beautifulchaos that summer with kids brings.
Lastly, if you need some summerrecipe inspiration from healthy snacks
(21:31):
to easy grilled dinners or potluckideas, check out my Pinterest board.
I'll drop the link in the show notes.
And if this episode helped you feel alittle more sane, would you share it
with a fellow mama trying to make itthrough the summer without burning out?
You've got this friend and I'mcheering you on every step of the way.
Jerusha Jantz, Holistic Wellness Coach for Christian Moms: Mama, I hope this episode blessed (21:51):
undefined
you and reminded you that you werebeautifully and uniquely made to thrive.
If today's conversation spoke to yourheart, I'd love for you to take a
moment to leave a rating and review.
Not only does it encourage me,but it helps more tired mamas
discover the hope, healing, andenergy they've been searching for.
You are not in this alone.
(22:13):
Make sure to hit subscribeso you never miss an episode.
Together we will reclaim yourenergy, renew your health, and revive
your spirit one step at a time.
Until next time.
Remember, you are beautifully designed byGod to live with energy, clarity, and joy.
You're not just surviving mama.
You're stepping into the vibrantlife you were created for.
(22:35):
I'm cheering you on.
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