The Self-Care Mom

This post is sponsored by FPL SolarNow. Thank you for learning about the companies who help support this website.

Summer is here, and it’s time for moms to add “activities coordinator” to our already long list of everyday hats we wear! We love playing outdoors and soaking up the sun while on summer break, However, it’s not always easy to balance work and kids during this time of the year. So if you are feeling the summer heat, here are four mom hacks to help you stress less and have more fun with your little ones!

1. Be prepared and pack a bag the night before an outing.

Having a bag ready for trips to the beach or community pool will help you better plan your summer outings with your kids. Fill it up with snacks, towels, and toys, and bonus points if you load it in the car the night before!

Wearing protective gear will come in handy, so stock up on sunscreen and sun protection clothing – especially bathing suits. It can help you avoid sunburns and cranky, uncomfortable kids.

2. Plan a meetup with other mom friends.

Heading to a local park or a splash pad is a lot more fun with friends – mom friends, too! Ask a friend to meet you there, since having other kids to play with makes your day so much easier. We recently took our family to meet some friends at Charnow Park.

Visiting Charnow Park has its perks. First, it’s close to the Hollywood Boardwalk, named one of America’s Best Beach Boardwalks. It stretches 2.5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. The park is also now home to three FPL SolarNow trees that provide visitors with a shady spot to relax, all while generating zero-emissions power for the grid. Seeing the solar trees in action has inspired us to learn more about solar energy.

The FPL SolarNow website allows you to view the amount of energy being generated by this SolarNow project. It’s interesting to see the lifetime statistics, and how FPL is making a difference in the way Broward and neighboring counties are using solar power. To date, FPL has almost 200 solar arrays installed or under construction throughout the state. We recently signed up for the SolarNow program — a $9 monthly contribution that is added to our bill, which will help bring solar energy projects into local Florida communities.

Here’s a step-by-step view on how to enroll using your FPL account:

After visiting the Museum of Science & Discovery, and now Charnow Park, it’s evident the FPL SolarNow program is helping the state of Florida push through with its initiative. The program gives you the option to donate proceeds to local Florida communities, such as Habitat for Humanity and others. We chose to donate to Nature Conservancy. As you can see in the image above, there’s a list of other fantastic options!

3. Take breaks in between the madness.
It might sound impossible when you’re running around with your kids during the summer months, but take advantage of the downtime. Even if it’s just lying on the beach with a new favorite novel! Embrace the stillness of that moment.

4. Be involved and be present in whatever activities you choose this summer.

When you pack your beach/pool bag, be sure to throw in a bathing suit for yourself! You’ll want to create fun memories with your kids – so remember, they don’t care about how you look in a bathing suit. They’ll always look back at all the splashing and fun they had with you!

Make FPL SolarNow part of your summer break by visiting the Broward and Miami locations with your family and friends – visit their website to find one near you. Have a great summer!