Oh No, They’re Back for the Summer

Did you enjoy Memorial Day Weekend a few weeks ago, or were you playing cruise director to the kids?

Yep, school’s over and your kids are home for the summer. Here come the “I’m bored” or “What are we doing today?” questions. Do you dread setting up play dates, packing the car, no rest for you?

When it comes to entertaining the kids over summer break, you may be panicking about what to plan — and how you’ll stay sane.

The kids are:

• Home every day.
• Looking to you for entertainment.
• Aren’t going back to school for three months.

We’re made to feel like we’re not doing enough, that we’re bad parents if we don’t have an elaborate answer to, “What are your kids doing this summer?”

Imagine if you knew exactly how and what to plan this summer.

That’s how I can help.

• Plan activities for your kids with confidence.
• Give them a fun, healthy summer.
• Make some time for yourself in the process.

You can do this. And I’ll show you how.

Here’s are a few tips that’ll get you from “Why are the dirty dishes still in the sink?” to “The kitchen is actually clean.”

1) Get them up and at ’em. Keeping kids active during the summer months means they’ll have more energy when they go back to school. Keep sedentary activities like playing video games to a minimum, opting for morning walks in the neighborhood and afternoons swimming in the pool. If you don’t have access to a pool, the tried and true sprinkler in the backyard is a favorite —complete with frozen popsicles afterwards.

2) Ask what they want to do. Don’t make summer planning too easy for the kids; that’s how you stay in permanent cruise-director-mode. See what they’d like to do that’s active, fun and safe. They may surprise you with their proactive responses. Be ready with an activity in your arsenal so you’re not playing the “I don’t know, what do you think we should do?” game.

3) If all else fails, make chores into a rewards game. Even though it’s prime outside time, the dishwasher still needs to be emptied. Get the kids doing age-appropriate chores, from sweeping to cleaning countertops to emptying the garbage. Then, take them out for something small yet rewarding like ice cream.

With these steps, you’ll be on your way to a happier summer with the family!