What are Meredith Masony's top strategies for surviving summer vacation with kids?

Hi, I’m Meredith Masony from The Laundry Lady.

Surviving summer with kids is all about lowering the bar and planning just enough so no one burns the house down:

• Simple routine: Same wake-up, “quiet time,” and bedtime windows most days so kids know what to expect.
• Loose daily plan: one “thing” a day (pool, park, library, friend over). Not 47 crafts and a museum.
• Snack system: make a “snack bin” for the day so you are not a 24/7 short-order cook.
• Boredom is allowed: it is not your job to be a cruise director; let them be bored and figure it out.
• Go-bag by the door: sunscreen, towels, change of clothes, snacks, water, so leaving the house is less of a circus.

What part of summer stresses you out the most: entertaining them, feeding them, or getting out of the house?