May 15, 2025
We Are the Hansons: School's Out – Celebrating the Last Day of School!
Join "We Are the Hansons" as we celebrate the final day of school in a burst of excitement and joy! Thirteen Hanson siblings race out of the school doors, tossing backpacks in the air, sharing laughter, and embracing the start of summer. It's a moment of pure childhood bliss, captured with all the energy and chaos that only a big family can bring. From hilarious stories to heartfelt reflections, this episode captures the magic of the last day of school with the Hansons. Don’t miss it!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/we-are-the-hanson-s-family-life-practical-tips-self-care--6044253/support.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
WEBVTT
1
00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:27.519
Hey everyone, and welcome back to We Are the Hands End.
2
00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:31.399
I'm so glad you're here with me today, especially for
3
00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:35.320
this episode, because it's one of my favorite times of year.
4
00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:42.000
You guessed it. School is out for the summer. That's right,
5
00:00:42.399 --> 00:00:45.280
the kids are home, the backpacks have been thrown in
6
00:00:45.399 --> 00:00:51.600
the corner, lunchboxes are officially retired, and we're all diving
7
00:00:51.759 --> 00:00:57.039
headfirst into summer break. Now, if you're new here, we
8
00:00:57.320 --> 00:01:01.600
are a big family and when school lets out, it's
9
00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:07.359
a celebration, a wild shift, and, let's be real, a
10
00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:13.159
bit of chaos all rolled into one. So today I'm
11
00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:18.079
taking you inside what schools out looks like in the
12
00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:23.640
Hansen Home. I'll share how we handled the transition, our
13
00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:28.480
summer plans, some traditions, and how we try to keep
14
00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:31.519
the peace with so many kids under one roof all day.
15
00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:37.439
Let's get into it. So let me just paint the picture.
16
00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:41.359
The last day of school in our house is loud,
17
00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:46.040
and not just because we have a big crew, but
18
00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:51.000
because the kids come bursting through the door like they've
19
00:01:51.079 --> 00:01:56.200
just won the lottery. You've got the elementary kids with
20
00:01:56.359 --> 00:02:01.239
their crumbled up art projects and literal over their backpacks.
21
00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:04.959
My daughter the middle schooler pretending to be cool but
22
00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:10.919
secretly just as excited. And the first thing someone always asks,
23
00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:18.639
can we stay the night tonight? That happened. So yesterday, Wednesday,
24
00:02:18.759 --> 00:02:22.120
school was out, last day for the kids at school,
25
00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:26.439
and guess what first thing that was asked? Can we
26
00:02:26.479 --> 00:02:29.759
have a friend spend the night? And lo and behold,
27
00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:35.759
That's what happened. It's that moment where structure ends and
28
00:02:36.039 --> 00:02:40.639
freedom begins. And as a mom, it's a mix of joy, relief,
29
00:02:40.719 --> 00:02:43.680
and a little bit of panic. I usually make a
30
00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:48.560
big snack spread that day, think popsicles, chips and dip,
31
00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:52.879
fresh fruit. We had all that, whatever I've got on hand.
32
00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:56.039
I want them to feel like the season has shifted,
33
00:02:57.280 --> 00:03:01.360
that we're celebrating the end of another check. This year,
34
00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:06.960
Mattie finished her school year very strong, so she was
35
00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:10.840
so excited to spend more time with her siblings and
36
00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:16.080
has already planned like three different summer goals. She's in
37
00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:19.120
full big sister mode right now, and I love it.
38
00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:25.080
Every year we make a summer bucket list and we
39
00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:28.680
keep it on the fridge written in marker, full of
40
00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:32.240
fun and simple things like go swimming at least once
41
00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:38.680
a week, catch fireflies, backyard camping, read five new books,
42
00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:44.120
host a cousin sleepover, thrift store challenge, water balloon fights
43
00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:47.919
in the front yard, which we did that. It's not
44
00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:50.919
about spending a ton of money, it's about memories, and
45
00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:56.479
we try to include something for each age group. We
46
00:03:56.560 --> 00:04:01.280
also talk about summer goals because yes, even when school's out,
47
00:04:01.520 --> 00:04:06.439
this mom believes in balance, whether it's keeping a reading log,
48
00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:10.960
practicing a skill, or helping around the house more consistently,
49
00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:15.400
we set goals the older kids, they're pretty much on
50
00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:20.240
their own doing their own thing, work, school, whatever they
51
00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:27.600
may have going on, maybe cooking, budgeting, or even babysitting.
52
00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:33.399
The younger ones might tying shoes or learning to ride
53
00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:38.920
without training wheels, which we've mastered that, thank goodness. We
54
00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:44.199
even try out summer Star awards for accomplishments at the
55
00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:50.839
end of each week. Keeps everyone motivated and accountable. Plus,
56
00:04:51.720 --> 00:04:55.639
let's be honest, it helps reduce the summer bickering. Now,
57
00:04:55.720 --> 00:05:00.319
let's talk about the structure versus freedom battle, because you know,
58
00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:06.600
kids want total freedom, but moms we still need some sanity.
59
00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:11.560
We definitely loosen things up. Bed times are later, meals
60
00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:15.600
are more flexible, and the days are wide open, but
61
00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:22.399
there's still rhythm. Mornings are screen free. We eat breakfast,
62
00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:28.240
then knock out some chores. Afternoons our adventures and downtime
63
00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:33.839
evenings that's when we go full summer. Maybe plan an
64
00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:39.360
outdoor movie or make s'mores, roast marshmallows, football in the backyard,
65
00:05:39.800 --> 00:05:43.600
volleyball in the backyard, dance parties in the living room,
66
00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:48.800
you name it. With the full house of kids, some
67
00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:55.759
kind of structure is necessary, otherwise chaos regains and mom
68
00:05:56.079 --> 00:06:00.639
burns out fast. One of the best things about a
69
00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:05.319
big family is the traditions, and summertime brings out some
70
00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:10.439
of our favorites. You know, popsicle countdowns. We buy a
71
00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:13.399
giant box of one hundred and track how fast it
72
00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:19.399
disappears goes fast. Drive way dinners we bring out you know,
73
00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:22.439
a folding table, play music and eat as a family
74
00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:27.199
under the evening sky. You know, there's a lot that
75
00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:32.759
we do, and as a big family like ours, do
76
00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:36.199
a lot of ghosts in the graveyard. We do all
77
00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:43.480
kinds of crazy fun stuff. Most of the time kids
78
00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:48.040
spend the night at our house. That's okay, because I'd
79
00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:52.439
rather have my kids home where I can monitor what's happening,
80
00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:57.680
and our house has always been the safe place for children. Now,
81
00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:01.839
siblings who normally we only see each other in the
82
00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:05.759
morning and at bedtime, are now shoulder to shoulder all
83
00:07:05.839 --> 00:07:11.639
day long. And listen, We've got a lot of personalities
84
00:07:11.800 --> 00:07:19.160
in this house. We've got peacemakers, pranksters and very dramatic artists,
85
00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:22.920
the quiet readers, and the wild little ones who think
86
00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:26.959
the couch is a jungle gym. All the time, the
87
00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:33.040
fights happen, the noise level rises, and yes, sometimes I
88
00:07:33.160 --> 00:07:39.800
retreat to the laundry area, the bedroom, the bathroom just
89
00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:43.519
to breathe for a second. Don't judge me, you've done
90
00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:50.360
it too, for sure. But you know what else happens. Laughter, teamwork,
91
00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:57.839
long conversations, helping each other make lunch. Those are the
92
00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:03.040
moments I hold on too. Let's talk about the financial
93
00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:07.600
side of summer. Feeding this many kids three meals a
94
00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:13.160
day plus snacks is no joke. And while we love adventure,
95
00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:17.879
we also have to be realistic, so we do a
96
00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:24.959
lot of free fun parks, library days, backyard obstacle courses,
97
00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:29.279
movie nights, and thrift stores. Become my best friend, whether
98
00:08:29.480 --> 00:08:35.399
it's sandals or summer reads. We thrift at all The
99
00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:39.440
kids are used to it and honestly, they love to
100
00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:44.039
hunt at the thrift store. Summer isn't just about fun,
101
00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:49.279
it's also about doubling down on life skills. The older
102
00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:56.600
kids have rotating responsibility dishes, laundry, helping with the little ones.
103
00:08:57.320 --> 00:09:01.279
We call it Team Hansen. We want our kids to
104
00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:05.799
understand that being part of a big family means pitching in.
105
00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:11.519
You don't just live here, you contribute. They also get
106
00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:16.360
to try out new things, whether it's learning how to
107
00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:20.840
cook on the grill or using the smoker. This summer,
108
00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:25.639
one of the girls is planning a little backyard business
109
00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:30.759
selling lemonade. One also wants to sell painted rocks. It's
110
00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:35.519
about learning, doing and growing and we love to see it.
111
00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:40.639
Every family has their own little quirks and traditions. Ours
112
00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:45.480
We do a family you know game. It's kind of
113
00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:53.399
ridiculous and hilarious. Think three legged race, egg tosses, water relays.
114
00:09:53.679 --> 00:09:57.159
Everyone competes. We have a little trophy we pass around
115
00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:02.159
every year. We also do a Yes Day once a summer,
116
00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:06.519
within reason and budget. The kids get to plan the day.
117
00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:10.240
They love it and honestly it's a memory maker for
118
00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:15.360
us too as parents, and of course camping nights in
119
00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:19.919
the backyard. Let's be honest, summer break isn't just about
120
00:10:20.200 --> 00:10:24.600
the kids. Us parents need to plan two for me.
121
00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:28.200
That means waking up before the kids when I can
122
00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:32.399
just to sip coffee in peace, having one or two
123
00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:38.440
quiet hours a day where screens are off and everyone
124
00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:41.960
reads or plays independently. Most of the time the kids
125
00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:46.960
are outside playing, and giving myself grace because it's okay
126
00:10:47.559 --> 00:10:52.960
if not every day is instagram worthy. Some days we're
127
00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:58.039
in survival mode, and that's totally okay. I also make
128
00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:02.639
sure to have my own summer bucket list, whether it's
129
00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:06.600
going for walks, having a date night with my husband,
130
00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:11.639
or finally organizing that hallway closet. I make space for
131
00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:16.759
me too. So here we are summer stretched out in
132
00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:21.559
front of us like a big open road, and we
133
00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:30.360
are definitely planning some trips to Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Chicago.
134
00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:38.519
We're planning them. It won't be perfect. There will be messes, meltdowns,
135
00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:43.440
and missed naps, but there will also be laughter, love,
136
00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:47.279
and so many memories made. To all the parents listening,
137
00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:52.799
you've got this. Whether you've got one kid or twelve,
138
00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:58.159
whether you're working, staying home, or juggling at all, your
139
00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:03.559
present matters. Love matters, the little things you do every
140
00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:08.879
day build something beautiful. Thanks for joining me today. I'd
141
00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:13.679
love to hear about your summer traditions, your chaos and
142
00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:16.600
your wins. You can send us a message on our
143
00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:20.120
Facebook page We are the Hansens. You can send me
144
00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:24.080
an email on our We are the Hansens Show at
145
00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:27.879
gmail dot com. And if you would get over to
146
00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:31.840
our YouTube channel We are the Hansens and subscribe, we
147
00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:36.039
would greatly appreciate it. And if you enjoyed this episode,
148
00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:40.039
don't forget have a fun summer, and don't forget to
149
00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:44.399
share it with a friend who could use some summer solitary.
150
00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:49.519
Until next time, this is Maya and you've been listening
151
00:12:49.559 --> 00:13:18.360
to We Are the Hansens.
1
00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:27.519
2
00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:31.399
3
00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:35.320
4
00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:42.000
5
00:00:42.399 --> 00:00:45.280
6
00:00:45.399 --> 00:00:51.600
7
00:00:51.759 --> 00:00:57.039
8
00:00:57.320 --> 00:01:01.600
9
00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:07.359
10
00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:13.159
11
00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:18.079
12
00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:23.640
13
00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:28.480
14
00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:31.519
15
00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:37.439
16
00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:41.359
17
00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:46.040
18
00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:51.000
19
00:01:51.079 --> 00:01:56.200
20
00:01:56.359 --> 00:02:01.239
21
00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:04.959
22
00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:10.919
23
00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:18.639
24
00:02:18.759 --> 00:02:22.120
25
00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:26.439
26
00:02:26.479 --> 00:02:29.759
27
00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:35.759
28
00:02:36.039 --> 00:02:40.639
29
00:02:40.719 --> 00:02:43.680
30
00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:48.560
31
00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:52.879
32
00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:56.039
33
00:02:57.280 --> 00:03:01.360
34
00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:06.960
35
00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:10.840
36
00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:16.080
37
00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:19.120
38
00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:25.080
39
00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:28.680
40
00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:32.240
41
00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:38.680
42
00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:44.120
43
00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:47.919
44
00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:50.919
45
00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:56.479
46
00:03:56.560 --> 00:04:01.280
47
00:04:01.520 --> 00:04:06.439
48
00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:10.960
49
00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:15.400
50
00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:20.240
51
00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:27.600
52
00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:33.399
53
00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:38.920
54
00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:44.199
55
00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:50.839
56
00:04:51.720 --> 00:04:55.639
57
00:04:55.720 --> 00:05:00.319
58
00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:06.600
59
00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:11.560
60
00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:15.600
61
00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:22.399
62
00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:28.240
63
00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:33.839
64
00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:39.360
65
00:05:39.800 --> 00:05:43.600
66
00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:48.800
67
00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:55.759
68
00:05:56.079 --> 00:06:00.639
69
00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:05.319
70
00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:10.439
71
00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:13.399
72
00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:19.399
73
00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:22.439
74
00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:27.199
75
00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:32.759
76
00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:36.199
77
00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:43.480
78
00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:48.040
79
00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:52.439
80
00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:57.680
81
00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:01.839
82
00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:05.759
83
00:07:05.839 --> 00:07:11.639
84
00:07:11.800 --> 00:07:19.160
85
00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:22.920
86
00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:26.959
87
00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:33.040
88
00:07:33.160 --> 00:07:39.800
89
00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:43.519
90
00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:50.360
91
00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:57.839
92
00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:03.040
93
00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:07.600
94
00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:13.160
95
00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:17.879
96
00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:24.959
97
00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:29.279
98
00:08:29.480 --> 00:08:35.399
99
00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:39.440
100
00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:44.039
101
00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:49.279
102
00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:56.600
103
00:08:57.320 --> 00:09:01.279
104
00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:05.799
105
00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:11.519
106
00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:16.360
107
00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:20.840
108
00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:25.639
109
00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:30.759
110
00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:35.519
111
00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:40.639
112
00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:45.480
113
00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:53.399
114
00:09:53.679 --> 00:09:57.159
115
00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:02.159
116
00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:06.519
117
00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:10.240
118
00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:15.360
119
00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:19.919
120
00:10:20.200 --> 00:10:24.600
121
00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:28.200
122
00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:32.399
123
00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:38.440
124
00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:41.960
125
00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:46.960
126
00:10:47.559 --> 00:10:52.960
127
00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:58.039
128
00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:02.639
129
00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:06.600
130
00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:11.639
131
00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:16.759
132
00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:21.559
133
00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:30.360
134
00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:38.519
135
00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:43.440
136
00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:47.279
137
00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:52.799
138
00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:58.159
139
00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:03.559
140
00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:08.879
141
00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:13.679
142
00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:16.600
143
00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:20.120
144
00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:24.080
145
00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:27.879
146
00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:31.840
147
00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:36.039
148
00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:40.039
149
00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:44.399
150
00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:49.519
151
00:12:49.559 --> 00:13:18.360
