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Keeping kids busy with summer activities

May 27, 2015 By Christine Field

This post may contain affiliate links.

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It’s the end of May and a mother’s thoughts turn to — summer relaxation.

O yes, I forgot.  We have kids we have to plan summer activities for!

There is often little rest for mom!  In order for your world to slow down a bit, you’ve got to keep the kids busy.

Here are some activities that were always anchor points for our summers:                        kids summer activities

 

1.  Reading:  To celebrate the end of the “school year” (although school often went year round) we celebrate with a trip to the bookstore.  Each child gets to buy a summer book or two – others will come from the library.  We set a reading goal – either a set number of books or a required amount of time each day.  It’s so important for our kids to read books that they hold in their hands!  It’s so different from screen life.  Does your public library or bookstore have a reading program?  Get signed up. Some have some nice prizes.  If not, do your own reading program. You can get a nice reading log when you sign up for my email newsletter here: www.realmomlife.com

 

2.  Serve.  The value of work is something kids need to learn.  I’m all for kids having time to dream and play, but too much time isn’t good for them.  As your kids get older, they should learn to serve via work – either paid or unpaid.  Is there a neighbor who needs help?  Is there a VBS your older child can work?  Hospitals and nursing homes are often desperate for volunteers.  Start checking out the opportunities available. For older kids, by the way, summer job slots at park districts, ice cream stores, etc. start taking applications in March!

 

3. Skill.  The laid back pace of summer is a great time to learn new life skills!  Cooking, organizing, cleaning and household shopping are skills that are made for slower summer days.  You can get some ideas of age-appropriate skills here  or in my book, Life Skills for Kids.

 

4. Explore. Sometimes school-year schedules are so jammed that a longed-for hobby or project simply has to take the back burner.  Was there a time this year when your child said, “Mom, I’d really like to ______.”  Maybe it was to learn an instrument, take up ballet or improve drawing skills.  Brainstorm with your child to create opportunities to explore this summer.  You can find other fun summer activities in my ebook, Seasonal Savors.

 

Finally, Mom, what about YOU?  Are there things you have set aside due to busy-ness?  Is it reading a big, fat novel, or finishing a craft project?  It might be something as simple as getting your nails done.  Slow down as much as you can, pamper yourself and your family and savor the sweet days of summer.

Filed Under: Activities for kids, Relationships Tagged With: keeping kids busy in summer, kids summer activities, productive pursuits for kids, summer activities

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Hi, I’m Christine

Have you been a wholehearted mother, but time, toddlers and teenagers have moved on? If you are wondering what comes next for you, you’ll feel right at home here.

Or, are you a mom for whom family life has been non-Pinworthy and parenting has been downright painful? I hear ya. There are many of us around.

Are you looking for a life full of exploration and adventure after the nest empties, but maybe you have no idea how to go about doing that? Stick around! We’ll explore adventures together to help you gain more clarity for your own path.

After a couple decades of writing books and articles about parenting, homeschooling and adoption, speaking to homeschoolers and other parent groups, and reaching out to the mom in the trenches who was trying to make the best of it - my kids grew up. Some grew up and grew away. I was determined to find a way out of the pain, emptiness and lack of direction.

For many of us, the journey starts with something we moms are not accustomed to. After years of caring for and serving others, sometimes we forget the beauty and wonder of US. We need to spend some time getting to know the parts of ourselves that have lain dormant, and take the time to explore interests and passions that we set aside.

I’d like to invite you to get the “What’s Next for Mom” workbook and jump into this growing tribe of Moms who are emptying the nest and filling the life! Let’s reignite your Mojo after Mothering!
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About Christine

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At Real Mom Life, my passion is to provide resources and reassurances for moms facing the surprising challenges of family life. In my writing and speaking, I explore solutions to unexpected issues in adoption, homeschooling, special needs, and more while encouraging moms to extract the maximum joy out of each day. Read More…

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