We had a truly fantastic meeting this week and I am very grateful for all the good ideas that were shared. We even came up with a few topics for our future meetings. Thank you for the links and recipes that have already been put up (just scroll past this post) and here are more.
I asked about end-of-school year celebrations/traditions and Heather shared that she has turned hers into a "First Day of Summer" Celebration. There are no rules, no chores and everyone stays in pajamas all day. She buys gifts that the kids would need anyway for the summer (goggles, flipflops and art supplies, for example) and has them wrapped with a cake stand full of doughnuts for when the kids wake up. She also does a "break through banner" (paper the kids run through) that says "Welcome Summer (or something like that;)".
Mary shared the cute idea of taking a photo of their child in the same outfit on the first day of school, mid year and the end of the year to see the growth. She also interviews her kids at the end of the school year and on birthdays with questions like "Who is your best friend?" "What do you want to do when you grow up?"
We discussed summer routines and several moms found ideas online similar to this:
Heather has her family's morning routine posted in the bathroom. The kids must stay in their rooms until 7 am and then
breakfast
brush teeth
get dressed
make beds
straighten rooms (deep cleaning saved for Saturdays)
piano practice
HW workbooks (such as Scholastic Summer Express available at C & M school supply or online)
computer time (she bought software for typing and math but there are free typing sites such as http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ available)--the teachers in the group brought up that there is an education app for everything you want your kids to learn over the summer
The routine doesn't have to be done before they can do other daily activities but it will have be finished when they get home if it isn't done in the morning. She also has a "Summer School Binder" that has tabs for the recipes the kids learn to make, the games and activities they've learned and most importantly their families Boredom Busters. The kids cannot say they are bored, they will either have to start cleaning or go to their binders. Read all the fun ideas below.
Summer reading was brought up and this fun book was suggested:
Every chapter has a recipe so if you are having a cooking day, it is the perfect book! Our family is going to reread Charlotte's Web before we see it at the Summer Movies .In case your chore charts needs revamping here is a new one: http://www.leahremilletblog.com/printable-chore-chart/. It's been working for Bethany's family to assign 5 cents per chore and pay the girls Saturday night. She is really letting the girl's be accountable and if they don't do the work, they don't get paid! Great idea!
Another idea with technology is to use screen time to create something and to teach your kids how to use the internet wisely (thanks, Lillian!)
Some families work for a family reward with chores/responsibilities and the positive reinforcement of letting kids stay up later (earning bedtime) for good behavior has had good results.
Adrienne works with children on the autism spectrum and shared about the Picture Exchange Program. The job/chore is a picture pasted to a magnet and is moved from a "need to do" section of a board to "done." Each time they are all completed, the kids earn a letter that then spells a trip or activity for their family.
Her family also uses summer to do a lot of geocaching. Read more about what it is and where one is right in our neighborhood here: My kids will love going on a geocaching adventure this summer.
Another great idea: pick a family "Clean up" song to motivate your kids when they are supposed to be picking up. Put the song on and see if everyone can be done by the time the song is over.
A fun list of things to do in the summer time:
http://blog.landofnod.com/
Every family is different and the needs/interests/wants will change but we can all agree that our time as mothers with children in our home is truly a small amount of time. May we treasure our children this summer (and remember how quickly they grown when we are ready to pull our hair out:)).
Happy Summer!
PS-We are meeting July 11th at 8 pm for frozen yogurt and to catch up at the Sweet Frog.
