School’s Out – What’s a Mother to Do?

Last week, my friend Kelly, from kellythekitchenkop.com wrote in her blog post:
“You can probably relate to that bittersweet feeling that you get when summer is here.  It’s nice having the kids around more…  But yet the bickering and constant interruptions when I try to get work done can be tricky.  Do you have some good summer parenting strategies to share?

Here is my answer to Kelly, myself, and other moms who want to plan a productive, harmonious, memorable summer vacation:

Although, I think moms and kids look forward to school being out as they look forward to a more flexible schedule,  I quickly learned as a home school mom, that bored children without a schedule will start bickering and fighting and basically destroying the peace of the household if I allow it.

1.   I learned to  pray ahead of time and consult with my husband on some activities the children could look forward to (so could I such as camp, VBS, swim lessons, etc), plus I had a rule – no get-together’s with friends and neighbors in the mornings.

2.  I wasn’t rigid, but I found – the schedule would be shot if I didn’t do this.  Once neighbor kids come in – your kids forget about their responsibilities and think its all about them, and then the other kids get jealous and it de-generates from there.

3.  Generally speaking – each child needs some sort of schedule so they know what is expected of them and when.  Will they follow it perfectly?  Will you follow-up and check up on them perfectly ?   Well the answer is probably no, so we must be flexible.  But if we fail to plan we plan to fail.

A schedule – loosely put together is absolutely imperative that changes every half hour to hour, especially for younger children.

Time to get up and dress, time for breakfast, breakfast clean-up, morning chores – beds made, pick -up  (sweep/mop floors/vacuum) – laundry, dusting, etc.  Dinner prep.  Take a walk – out door activity – play with pets/j ride bikes, etc – listen to tapes, video time, game time/play time/ park time, skill time – work on projects such as sewing or woodworking.  These are just ideas I have.

One mom I know who lives in a hot climate has playtime before chores, because children do not like to get outside in the heat of the day.  When they come in, their responsibilities await them.

Older children are responsible for younger children to keep them on task.  Take a morning break with the children so they feel a connection with you.

5. In hot climates you might make outdoor play the first ativity, and all the chores and inside work for later in the morning during the hot part of the day.  I always require some quiet time in the afternoon whether they are nappers or not.

6.  Make sure kids know that if they start fighting/bickering/etc that they will be sent to their rooms and loose privileges for the rest of the day such as the computer – whatever works.

7.  Get an early start on your day.  I have a friend who gets up at 4:00 or 5:00 am and starts working.  She gets in about 3 hours before the family is up – wish I had tried that – napped with kids etc.

Anyway – a schedule, clear expectations and consequences is a must for getting started.

Please share with us what you do with your children during the summer to keep them on task!