Amidst the bliss of those longer and lazy summer days between June and September, there comes a point when an inevitable question arises: How many days until school starts?! If you have a large family, surely you've have that thought by now. Summers are filled with the freedom to have fun and explore with your kids; however, in the past few years, I've begun to notice a seismic shift in my house toward the middle of the season. The joys that water balloons and s'mores typically bring can sometimes get overshadowed by the petty little things like household clutter and bickering. This could be more apparent in our house because we don't send the kids to summer camps. Either way, big family parenting is tough, and now that we are right smack in the middle of summer break, it's time to get creative! With four weeks of freedom ahead for the kiddos, staying active and on a schedule (and out of my hair) is a must.

Here are 13 ways to keep your sanity while making the best of the rest of your summer!

1. Plan the Month

Spend a little time on the front end by planning out the remaining days of summer. It's just easier if you tackle each day/week with a plan. I like to use a desk calendar that's big enough for the kids to read, and add something if they would like.

2. Engage

No one said parenting was easy, but I look at it like this. Summer is the only time when all the kids are together outside of the holidays without the pressures of homework and after-school activities. Why not make it memorable and engage? Be present and find your rhythm. Sure, I am guilty of being at my computer and muttering 'yep... OK, sure sweetie,' when I should be honing in on their needs. Do yourself a favor by unplugging and giving them the attention they deserve. If you work from home, set work hours and refrain from checking emails, texts and social accounts unless it's within the hours you've time blocked for work.

3. Movie Night Done Right

Simply put, the Schaffer Six loves a good movie night. If you've got a yard, an outdoor screen & projector can be a great win for your family. My kids love building forts, using sleeping bags and pitching tents right before the showing of the film. Then, we make some popcorn, and we're all set. I let the kids each choose a movie and we rotate through them all. And we like to do this 2-3 times per week.

4. Rewards for Reading

Getting my kids to do their summer reading without nagging has been a challenge. This summer, I decided to go the old school route and reward them for reading. For every book they finish, we go to the dollar store and they get to pick out five items. So far, it's working so I don't even question rewarding them. Give it a try!

5. Parent/Child Cooking Lessons

Not only is summer the perfect time to try new recipes with the kids, it's also the perfect opportunity to expand their palate. Here's how we do it. I let each kid look through recipes with me (either in books or on my Pinterest boards), and choose a recipe. We make a list, go to the store to buy all the ingredients and then the kids get to cook with me. I like to position this as testing their skills in the kitchen, and since my little ones are competitive, they really enjoy the process. My rule is that when lunch or dinner is served, they have to take two bites. If they don't like it, that's OK, but they at the least have to try. So far, this summer, my kids have taken a liking to baking and breakfast and it was really fun watching them learn new skills!

6. Board Games

The benefits are endless when it comes to board games, and their competitive spirits really shine while playing. If and when the competition becomes too much, Mom is the ultimate mediator, teaching important social skills like patience, taking turns, and committing to staying in the game. Some of our favorites are the tried and true classics like Chutes and Ladders, Scrabble, Battleship, Connect Four, Jenga and Monopoly.

7. Super Charge Mom's Cape with 'Spa Time'

When my kids are home, I find that I put myself on the back burner more often than not. If I don't look and feel good, I am useless to my family. Being in tune with what Mom needs is important, and I know that carving out a little time for manicures, pedicures and the spa is what I need to feel refreshed. So whatever your 'spa time' is, whether it's surfing, the spa or sangria, make time to do you! If you can get someone to help out for a couple of hours each week, do it. You will be a better you and a much more patient parent during these last few weeks of summer.

8. An Inflatable Pool

What kid doesn't love an inflatable pool? Works like a charm, especially with my younger ones. They can go fishing for army men, baby Brody can explore the water and splash around all while mom relaxes on a lounge chair in the comfort of our yard. Another perk? It's portable, and can be set up almost anywhere for the kids to enjoy.

9. Water Gun Fights

Want to watch your kids' eyes pop out of their heads? You'll officially win them over (and win the coolest mom ever award) by coming home with a handful of water guns. The bigger the water gun, the stronger the squirt! Will the kids be soaked? Yes! But, we're preparing with towels at the ready, along with a water gun rules poster so mom's expectations are clearly stated before the 'water gun day' battles commence.

10. Mailbox Day

Take a cereal box and have your kids decorate it as their own personal mailbox. Have your child draw, design and write his or her name on it. When it's done, hang it on the door and have your kids hone their writing skills by writing letters to one another. They can have fun with it by using their imagination and creating make believe stories. You'd be surprised by what they can come up with. A friend suggested this idea, and the kids ran with it!

11. Library Day

Go to your local library with the kids, but before you go, have them select a person in history to research. I have done this once, and we really had fun reading about Amelia Earhart and Abe Lincoln.

12. Chores and Earning Money

Summer is always a good time to give the kids responsibilities, and if possible have them earn a few bucks. From walking the dogs, to putting away their laundry and emptying the dishwasher, these life skills can be taught, and a little reward always sweetens the deal. Week by week, sit down and take a family inventory on what household priorities they can help out with, and at the end of the week, they can be rewarded for the completed chores. It worked when I was little, and still holds true today. Kids love to earn!

13. End of Summer Service Project

A week before school starts, go through every drawer and every closet for each kid and yourself to see what you can purge. I always start with letting the kids choose what they'd like to donate, then of course chime in when they want to hold onto clothes that no longer fit. After we fill our bags, we go to the Goodwill or our church and see who has the biggest needs for gently worn clothing. It's great to show the kids how and why we should give — not only during spring cleaning, but before the school season as well.

Surviving the last few weeks of summer can be done with a little planning, patience and parental participation. Soak it up, as we all know time flies when you're having fun. What are you doing to enjoy the rest of your summer? Comment below!

For more Big Family Parenting Tales, visit citygirlgonemom.com.

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