Summer Is Almost Here!

Summer Is Almost Here!

Key Changes for a Sensational Summer

By NAfME Member Lori Schwartz Reichl

“Make your summer shine with memories and not just sunshine.”—Unknown

As the academic year comes to a close, that means summer is right around the corner! My children will complete their last day of school on June 13, 2025! It is shocking to think that another school year has come and almost gone. They are learning so much, growing like weeds, and blossoming into their own unique personalities. My daughter is finishing up third grade, and my son will soon complete first grade. “Don’t blink,” every parent says. Childhood really does go that fast, as I fear tomorrow they will be graduating from high school.

My children and I have started a tradition that on their last day of school, instead of riding the bus home, I pick them up at school. We drive away from campus with our windows down, sun roof open, and the song “School’s Out for Summer,” blasting through our speakers. Then, we drive off into the summer sunshine and enjoy ice cream together at our favorite downtown location to celebrate the start of a season without daily set schedules.

This year, during their two final days of school, I will be in Connecticut to speak for the second time at Yale University for the Symposium on Music in Schools, which is held once every two years at the Yale School of Music as part of the Music in Schools Initiative. Although I am excited for this speaking opportunity, I am disappointed to miss my children’s last day of school—or at least our ice cream celebration that follows! This year, I will surprise my children with this celebratory tradition a few days early.

As a family, we have created a solid routine during the school year that includes academics, music, athletics, and other activities, but the summer is our time to pack in a lot of planned and spontaneous excitement together! When my children were little, shortly before, during, and after the pandemic, we had what I nicknamed “Field Trip Fridays.” Every Friday, we traveled somewhere new—a park, library, train station, family member’s house—anything new to enjoy. We looked forward to this trip each week! The ice cream tradition is one of those memories, too!

Reflect on Past Summers

Think about your previous summer and all the things you did and would like to do again this summer. Consider what you missed and would like to add (or eliminate!) to this year’s summer plans. By reflecting on last summer, you can plan for the summer you want and need this year.

At the end of last summer, I recorded podcast episode #31 Summer Sentiments, which aired on August 27, 2024. During this episode, I say,

“As I recommend for everything we do, take some time to reflect—this time on your summer. What are you grateful for in this particular season? What did you love? What did you not like? What did you not get the chance to do? What do you still want to do that you could make happen in the coming seasons or even next summer? Do you want to travel more? Do you want to explore a new place? What did you organize?”

I go on to ask more questions, such as,

“What books did you read? What podcasts did you listen to? Did you watch any good movies or shows? Have you gotten into any new music? Did you attend any concerts? Did you cook more or eat out more? Who did you spend time with? Who did you wish you could have spent more or any time with? What did you learn about yourself?”

By reflecting on last summer, you can plan for the summer you want and need this year. I recently came across the quote, “Make your summer shine with memories and not just sunshine.” Use this quote as inspiration as summer shines upon us.

Plan for What Is Needed

Even with all of the exploration we had planned last summer, I still managed to hear from my children the occasional whine of “I’m bored.” “There’s nothing to do!” followed by a hair flip or eye roll, or “What can I do now?” But at times, this felt good. It was relaxing, creative, and much needed—an opposite swing from the rigor of the academic year.

Remember not to overplan your summer. Recently, in episode #64 Break Free from the Burnout Cycle, I share that rebuilding recovery time is essential. This is necessary for students, parents, caregivers, educational staff, and anyone during the summer. Your brain and body need downtime to function. Rest is non-negotiable. To prevent burnout, schedule regular “white space” in your calendar—no plans, simply space to breathe. This is necessary in our summers and during our vacation plans, too.

As I was planning our summer family vacation, my husband kindly reminded me that our children are 7 and 9 years old and they can’t always keep up at the same pace as adults. And, we aren’t the youngest of parents either! Planning time in our summer and especially during a vacation to simply chill by the pool, lake, beach, or lawn, enjoy a longer meal together, explore new surroundings, or sleep in is necessary. Knowing that “free” time is approaching may be scary to someone who likes to plan every minute of each day, but it may be necessary for everyone—children and adults—to relax throughout the summer.

You may have large vacation plans or parties already scheduled into your calendar for the summer, or you are finalizing many of these in the coming weeks. However, consider also looking at the calendar for June, July, and August and deciding what you want to do or not do! Every educator (and student) requires time to recharge!

The 5 Key Changes to Consider for a Sensational Summer

Here are 5 key changes to consider when planning your summer:

Key Change #1: Plan a Road Trip

Hit the road to explore new places—national parks, small towns, or hidden beaches. This could be a one-day event or several days. How could a journey become even more memorable than the destination?

Key Change #2: Host an Outdoor Party 

Make it as chill as possible in your yard or on your lawn, deck, patio, or porch. Let people know what you will have on hand, and tell them what they should bring, such as a lawn chair, preferred drink, dessert, or whatever it is! If you don’t have the space to host, consider meeting up at a park or pavilion. How could you make this event hassle-free?

Key Change #3: Learn Something New

Maybe you start running, gardening, learning to play an instrument, speaking a new language, or playing a new game. How could this new knowledge be gained independently or shared with friends or family?

Key Change #4: Volunteer for a Local Cause

Spend a day (or more) giving back—cleaning up a park, helping at a summer camp, or organizing a community event. How could these experiences be meaningful? If you are interested in helping with The Confidence Camp, contact Lori.

Key Change #5: Unplug for a Getaway 

This could be a staycation where you live, or maybe you go camping or rent a cabin with no screens, just books, games, conversation, and nature. How could a tech-free reset become a highlight of the season? 

Summer Is Almost Here!

Summer is almost here! Prepare for it by planning for both exciting and restful times! You might also explore new ways to start your mornings this summer, even if your routine differs from the academic year. Check out episode #68 of the Making Key Changes podcast, Rise and Shine for a Miracle Morning, where Lori interviews Hal Elrod, bestselling author of The Miracle Morning series, who shares a simple and powerful routine to help you start each day with confidence. Using his S.A.V.E.R.S. method—Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing—Hal explains how adults and kids can make key changes to transform their mornings and set a positive tone for the day ahead—regardless of the season.

How are you making key changes to prepare for a summer filled with what you need and want? Listen to episode #66 Summer Is Almost Here! of the Making Key Changes podcast, for even more insights to unlock a summer filled with adventure and relaxation!

Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl’s main work is public speaking, so if you feel the contents of this article or podcasts would add value to your school or organization, contact her.

Photo at top by Sean Oulashin on Unsplash

About the author:

Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl is the visionary thought leader of Making Key Changes. Her career began in music education where she learned the importance of a key change—a shift in the tonal center of a piece of music, often used to inject energy or produce significance. She eventually realized the necessity and impact of making key changes in many areas of her life and the desire to help others do the same.

Since transitioning out of one classroom as a public school teacher, Lori has uniquely created a global classroom for her work. She motivates organizations, teams, and individuals to reflect on their daily practices and offers actionable key changes to grow. Together, they unlock their greatest potential in collaboration with those they love, serve, and lead.

Learn more about Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl at MakingKeyChanges.com. Subscribe to her Making Key Changes weekly newsletter and listen to her weekly podcast.

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