Summer break is jam-packed with fun, but it can easily be just as jam-packed with stress. Kids require a lot of things. Depending on which of these things you forget, your summer outing can quickly turn into a disaster. That's why we could use all of the summertime tips for busy moms that we can get!

I work, and I am in school, so my free time feels rare and my brain doesn't always operate at maximum capacity. Over the years, I have discovered a few ways to make summer go much smoother for our gang.

7 Sanity Saving Summertime Tips for Busy Moms

1. Keep a beach or pool bag packed.

During the summer, you never know when you will get a phone call from a friend asking you to join them at the pool. Plus, during summer, you tend to schedule activities on a whim rather than strategically planning them like during the school year.

Keeping a bag packed with sunscreen, extra sunglasses, swimmies, goggles, hats, or anything that your kiddos typically need for a water excursion helps cut down the stress of looking for each item when you are trying to walk out the door. It also prevents you from forgetting something you need.

Now, you can throw in a few towels and be on your way!

2. Baby powder.

Keeping baby powder in your beach bag can be a real lifesaver, especially for kids who swim in the sand. 

Sprinkle some baby powder (talcum powder) on your kiddos and brush around a bit. The sand will fall right off!

This saves everyone from being uncomfortable.

3. Buy them some flip flops.

The last thing my boys do when we are trying to get out of the door is put on shoes. They have to look everywhere for them and most of the time fuss because they cannot get them on quick enough.

It's summertime! Buy them some flip flops to throw on. These are perfect for running errands, meeting friends for ice cream, or a day at the beach.

I typically buy my guys two pairs... it never fails that one lone flip flop will be hidden under a sofa or bed when it's time to put them on. So, having a backup pair saves the day.

4. Sunglasses and hats.

It is always a good idea to keep sunglasses or hats in the car. These two things are often forgotten even though they are much needed.

William has bright blue eyes that are super sensitive to the sun. He can barely see outside without squinting to the point that his eyes look closed on a bright sunny day.

Having sunglasses or a hat (sometimes both) in the car means I don't have to worry about remembering them before I leave home. It also means the poor kid can see without being all squinty.

5. Bug spray.

I am not sure where you are, but in south Alabama we have bugs! We have lots of bugs. On a hot, humid night, you might be bitten by a misquito within the first minute of stepping into our backyard. Keeping bug spray on hand is a must!

I don't personally like bug spray. I cannot stand the smell! However, I found some by Cutter, Skinsations, that is definitely doable and works well. The kids don't mind the smell. I could spray whatever I had on them. BUT... then I have to smell them. So, I try to pick bug spray I like rather than just buying any brand!

6. Keep water on hand.

Summer gets hot! Kids are always thirsty. For their health, and your sanity... keep bottled water at your house or purchase some sports bottles if you don't have any already.

7. Invest in a small cooler.

This adds on to the fact that you need to keep water on hand, not just for the kiddos, but for yourself. We take a Yeti bag almost everywhere we go. Throw in some water, juice boxes, fruit, or whatever snacks your family enjoys.

Keeping a small cooler with us has really made a difference this summer! We don't have to worry about whether drinks will be available wherever we go, and everyone stays hydrated. Any small cooler will do. I do prefer a bag type, because it is easier to carry. Our Yeti bag is a perfect size and super easy to carry... even when you're carrying 100 other things.

Summertime Tips For Busy Moms

Finding ways to make things easier is always a plus when you have kids. I hope these few tips can make your summer just a bit easier.

Have some more great tips? Drop them in the comments. The more ways we can help each other the better!

Have a great summer mamas!

If you enjoyed these summertime tips for busy moms, I know you'll enjoy other posts! Check them out here.