Welcome to your first Summer Short—a new mini-episode series from the Home Education with Ease podcast! In this bite-sized episode, Christine Furman, your home education expert, shares how to embrace the transition from a structured school-year rhythm into a more relaxed and joyful summer schedule.

Christine opens up about her family’s flexible summer days, how she blends business tasks with intentional parenting, and why giving kids age-appropriate responsibilities fosters confidence and connection. She also shares how to set simple expectations, create daily checklists, and gently weave learning into everyday life—all while enjoying fun, sunshine, and slow family moments.

Whether you're a homeschool mom, working parent, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you craft a summer rhythm that works for your family.

Takeaways:

• You can have structure and freedom in your summer schedule—it’s not either/or.
• Daily checklists help kids stay responsible and independent while giving you time to work or reset.
• Assigning chores and life skills builds long-term confidence and capability in your children.
• Learning can be simple and fun: baking, outdoor adventures, and themed activities all count.
• Let go of perfection. A “good enough” summer can still be beautiful and memorable.
• Invite your kids into your work or planning—they’ll love being part of what you do.
• Focus on intentional family connection, not packing the schedule to the brim.

• “Those are the skills that are going to stick with them forever. Because once they leave my house, I want them to be prepared for life.”
• “Don’t feel like you have to do it all. You can make a summer bucket list… but don’t feel like you have to do everything.”
• “It doesn't have to be perfect. It can be good.”
• “Let them be a part of that schedule and they'll know the expectations.”
• “Being together is memorable in itself. How much family time you guys have together and being intentional with that family time is very important too.”
• “Let your kids see what you’re doing. Let them be a part of it because that is really going to continue to build their skillsets.”

🫶 Join the Home Education with Ease Facebook group to connect

✨ Ways to work with Christine:

📦 EduPlay Learning Activity Kits – Seasonal collections filled with themed crafts, science experiments, literacy and math practice, and storytime ideas for ages 2–7

📚 Reading FUNdamentals Program – Step-by-step support for beginning readers (includes videos, printables, and confidence-boosting strategies)

🤝 Home Education with Ease Collective – A supportive space for moms with community, live Q&As, curriculum ideas, and encouragement for the journey

🎯 1:1 Learning Support – Personalized coaching and educational planning for your unique family

📧 Email: [email protected]

📱 Instagram: @thehomeeducationexpert | @eduplaylearning

🎥 Watch Ms. Christine on EduPlay Learning YouTube for hands-on activity demos and curriculum support

Join the Conversation:

Head over to the Home Education with Ease Facebook Group and answer this week’s questions:

• What does your ideal summer schedule look like?
• What are 3 must-do’s on your summer bucket list?
• How do you plan to weave learning into your summer days?

🎧 Loved this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow mom who’s planning a purpose-filled summer!