In Episode 160 of Torn: Finding a Mom-Life Balance, Athena and Mims return for the second installment of their summer planning series, equipping the Torn Tribe with a practical and heartfelt Summer Toolkit designed to support families in three core areas: Supplies, Sanity, and Structure.

🧠 Torn Thought: “Preparedness brings presence. Let’s enjoy the season instead of surviving it.”

🧺 Supplies to Have on Hand- Summer essentials: sunscreen, water toys, snacks, notebooks, art supplies, and first-aid items- Household items for parents working from home: kid-friendly snacks, books at the right reading level, a stocked art station, screen-time boundaries, and outdoor activity options- Pool/beach bags packed and ready: cooler, towels, goggles, flip flops, backup clothes, and snacks- Reusable tote filled with portable snacks (chips, fruit, pretzels) to reduce the “I’m starving” moments

🧘‍♀️ Sanity Savers- Schedule one friend meet-up per child each week—build in social outlets to reduce tension and encourage independence- Identify your “buffer days” where there’s minimal running around- Plan ahead for medical needs: physicals, prescriptions, and locations of nearest clinics when traveling- Try a parent hobby: painting, reading, writing, learning a language, or summer reading challenges for YOU

📅 Structure for Summer Days- Theme Days: Rotate through reading, science, cooking, art, or adventure days- Free Play Days: Let your child choose how they spend the day to balance out structured time- Skill or sport exploration: Use the summer to try something new as a family or per child- Craft & Game Zones: Reorganize home spaces to highlight engaging options and reduce screen time- Library trips, cultural reads, and storytelling podcasts to keep imagination and curiosity alive

📣 Stay Connected & ShareAthena and Mims also encourage the Torn Tribe to share their favorite summer tips and download the Torn Tribe Summer Prep List (linked in show notes and on social).

💌 Got Torn Moments or Mends to share? Drop us a line at tornmlb@gmail.com.

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💜 Choose Grace, Torn Tribe 💜