If you have ever asked questions like:
“Who cut their hair on the couch? Why does the dog have one blue paw? Where did all the kitchen chairs go?”
You may have bored kids.
My experience as a mother of three children, including twins has taught me that it is easy to entertain a child, but not so easy to keep them busy. Allow me to explain the difference.
It’s easy to put on a movie for your toddler or allow your tween all the computer time they want. On the other hand, it takes a lot more effort to give them opportunities to grow and develop into independent, well-rounded, active young people.
Here are a few of my tips for keeping your child actively engaged in things that will benefit them and the family over the summer.
My first tip is Early to bed, early to rise, even during summer break.
Allowing your kids to set their own sleeping schedule in the summer, doesn’t do anything for them in the long run. If anything it will teach them to be disappointed adults. Sleeping-in isn’t a regular part of any productive adult’s life.
Our regular wake-up call has only been pushed back by a half-an-hour and a decent bedtime is still enforced. Everyone still enjoys a full eight hours of sleep and nobody sleeps the day away.
My second tip is Fun first, then work. Really?
Adjust your chore schedule so the kids aren’t helping in the house during the cooler parts of the day. Save the indoor chores for when the temperature climbs, that way when the work is done, they don’t refuse to go outside because it’s too hot.
We eat breakfast and then play outside or exercise, while the temperature is still enjoyable. When it gets to hot outside, that’s when we get the chores done in the cooler, more comfortable house. It may sound like putting the cart before the horse, but it’s worked for us.
Finally, Let the kids know what is expected and what they can expect.
A willy-nilly, plan-less summer doesn’t benefit mom or kids. Make chore charts and plan your day. Kids are much happier when they know what they can expect. Avoid couch haircuts and boredom, by letting your kids in on the planning of their day.
“Who cut their hair on the couch? Why does the dog have one blue paw? Where did all the kitchen chairs go?”
You may have bored kids.
My experience as a mother of three children, including twins has taught me that it is easy to entertain a child, but not so easy to keep them busy. Allow me to explain the difference.
It’s easy to put on a movie for your toddler or allow your tween all the computer time they want. On the other hand, it takes a lot more effort to give them opportunities to grow and develop into independent, well-rounded, active young people.
Here are a few of my tips for keeping your child actively engaged in things that will benefit them and the family over the summer.
My first tip is Early to bed, early to rise, even during summer break.
Allowing your kids to set their own sleeping schedule in the summer, doesn’t do anything for them in the long run. If anything it will teach them to be disappointed adults. Sleeping-in isn’t a regular part of any productive adult’s life.
Our regular wake-up call has only been pushed back by a half-an-hour and a decent bedtime is still enforced. Everyone still enjoys a full eight hours of sleep and nobody sleeps the day away.
My second tip is Fun first, then work. Really?
Adjust your chore schedule so the kids aren’t helping in the house during the cooler parts of the day. Save the indoor chores for when the temperature climbs, that way when the work is done, they don’t refuse to go outside because it’s too hot.
We eat breakfast and then play outside or exercise, while the temperature is still enjoyable. When it gets to hot outside, that’s when we get the chores done in the cooler, more comfortable house. It may sound like putting the cart before the horse, but it’s worked for us.
Finally, Let the kids know what is expected and what they can expect.
A willy-nilly, plan-less summer doesn’t benefit mom or kids. Make chore charts and plan your day. Kids are much happier when they know what they can expect. Avoid couch haircuts and boredom, by letting your kids in on the planning of their day.
This advice would have done me good many moons ago when my kids were young.
ReplyDeleteMany, MANY moons!