Step Outside the Me Zone

Wednesday June 19, 2013

To me, summer = freedom.

No daily schedule, no homework, no deadlines for the kids.

But that can get old pretty quick.

In fact, it can degenerate into a total Me Fest.

Time for me! Let’s do what I want to do!

And with a couple of kids in the mix, they rarely want to do the same thing and then…. yes, sibling rivalry rears its ugly head.

One distraction from the Me Obsession that so often leads to sibling rivalry is to get the kids on the same team, working toward the same goal.

I found an awesome link that can help you do just that:
100 Ways to Give Back over Summer Break.

It’s quite a list, but don’t let that discourage you. Start small. Choose one thing for this week. Or pick five and have the family vote on one. Then add more activities as you go along.

Step outside the Me Zone with your kids this summer – find a way to give back.

Linking up with Beth for Wedded Wednesday.

Photo credit

Family Summer Fun #5

Wednesday July 11, 2012

Welcome to Summer Fun, Week 5!!

Every Wednesday I'm posting quick, easy ideas for filling up summertime with the kids.

Here are a few great ideas for family fun.

Summer Fun Ideas - Week 5

1. Create a costume trunk. Rummage through your closets, check out the grandparents castoffs, try a consignment shop or Goodwill. Look for great hats, a trench coat for the resident detective...

2. Have a Water Day. Drag out the little pool, the sprinkler, water guns, buckets, bottles...and just get wet!

3. Eat lunch in a homemade tent. Too hot to go outside? Grab some sheets, pull chairs and tables together, and make a huge tent for lunchtime.

4. Have a paper airplane exhibit and fly-in. Don't know how to make them? Check online, visit the public library, get Dad involved. Make and decorate as many paper airplanes as you can. Create an exhibit or fly-in.

5. Plan an "ice cream social" for the family. Do a family survey on toppings. Get creative! Crush cookies, candies, use chocolate chips, fruit -- to topping crazy!

How have you and yours spent your summer so far?
Do share! I'd love to hear.

Summer Fun and Summer Safety

Saturday June 30, 2012

Summer fun means cooking out, s’mores, camping, and especially this week, fireworks! A perfect opportunity not only to have some family fun, but to create some teaching moments.

How can you have fun, involve your kids in safety, and teach some lasting lessons?

Check out these top five Summer Fire Safety Tips by Tom Harned, Property Risk Field Manager with Liberty Mutual Insurance and Volunteer Firefighter. If you’ll read “between the lines,” you’ll see I put a fun “mom spin” on each tip.

1. Grill safely. Always use your grill outdoors, keeping it away from siding and deck railing. Always wait until your grill cools completely before putting it away.

Mom, before you or Dad set up the grill, send one of the kids out with a ruler. Show him how to measure a safe perimeter around the grill and let him mark it with tape, so everyone can easily see.

2. Leave fireworks to the pros. The best choice is to pack a picnic basket and catch some of the displays hosted by professionals in your community. (That was always a great family outing for us!) If you do choose to enjoy consumer fireworks, make sure they’re legal in your area. Maintain a safe area for spectators. Keep a water hose or fire extinguisher in reach and know how to use it.

Mom, let the kids mark off the spectator area ahead of time. You can also put them in charge of the water buckets or hoses. Let the kids fill and prepare them…and use them to douse each other when the display is done!

3. Be careful with outdoor fireplaces and candles. Make sure there are no structures, low tree branches or other flammable overhead obstructions near your tiki torch, candle, or campfire. Keep fires small, away from dry grass and leaves, and at least 10 feet away from anything else that can burn.

Mom, form an Advance Fire Patrol before lighting your outdoor fire for those s’mores. Give the kids a clipboard and checklist and have them check and clean the area of anything that could burn. (Like any good supervisor, though, you or Dad need to check their work!)

4. Always keep kids and pets away from fire. (I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but consider items that might tempt kids to run toward the fire.) Avoid playing games with flying objects like baseballs, basketballs or plastic discs anywhere around the grill, candles, or fire.

Mom, explain this to the kids as you have them help you plan the play for the evening. Let them come up with ideas that will be fun but safe, games and activities that will keep them well away from the fire.

5. Never leave any flame or fire unattended. Whether you’re grilling, using a fire pit, or toasting s’mores around the fire, never leave any flame or fire unattended and put out any fire before you leave it.

Mom, designate a couple of kids as “fire watchers.” Their job is to have eyes on the fire, making sure it’s never unattended. (It’s not their job to stay with the fire, but to make sure an adult is!) They’ll love reminding Mom and Dad about safety, and it will be a lasting lesson.

With a little creativity, you can be safe, have fun, and teach all at the same time!

Here’s to Summer Fun!



Photo credit: Creative Commons

Family Summer Fun #4

Wednesday June 27, 2012

Welcome to Summer Fun, Week 4!!

Every Wednesday I'm posting quick, easy ideas for filling up summertime with the kids. (Well...last Wednesday was an exception. But I'm back on track now!)

Here are a few great ideas for family fun.

Summer Fun Ideas - Week 4

1. Take a field trip or two. Make a family visit to the library (a common one in our house). Or visit the local fire station. Is there a construction site nearby that you can tour? How about visiting a hospital or nursing home? Wherever you choose to go, take something along for those who live or work there. Lemonade, cookies, cards...get creative!

2. How about a new art project? Make a paint roller by gluing string or yarn around a tin can. Then cover part of your child's wall with paper or posterborad and let him or her paint the wall! Or use small cans, make small designs, and fashion your artwork into cards.

3. Have a character lunch. Let your children choose their favorite book character. Invite them to a character lunch and help them dress, talk, and act as their character. Invite friends over and have each child share about their favorite book.

4. Play in the rain on a warm summer day. Need I say more? Be spontaneous!

5. Teach your children a new skill. Cross stitch or crochet? Woodwork? Have Dad help out or invite a neighbor who has a skill.

How have you and yours spent your summer so far?
Do share! I'd love to hear.

Family Summer Fun #3

Wednesday June 13, 2012

Welcome to Summer Fun, Week 3!!

Click on over every Wednesday for some quick, easy ideas for filling up summertime with the kids.

Here are a few great ideas for family fun.

Summer Fun Ideas - Week 3

1. Write letters. Proclaim Family Letter Writing Day and have everyone write a letter to someone different in the family. Then take a trip to the Post Office together to mail them. OR write a letter to each of your children. Mail them and watch those surprised faces when each gets his or her own mail.

2. Take a nature walk and pick up treasures around the neighborhood or a nearby park. Bring them home and arrange a show for Dad. Have the kids meet him at the door and take him on a guided tour through their exhibit. OR use those treasures to make mixed media artwork. Complement your nature items with foil, yarn, cereal, wrapping paper, colored toothpicks -- create your own works of art.

3. Work on a puzzle together. OR take a family picture, run to the photo place, and have a puzzle made. Then put it together.

4. Plant something, inside or out. If you plant inside, paint and decorate your flowerpots first.

Remember, since Father's Day is coming, any of these ideas can be used for Dad's Day as well. (Have the kids write their letters to Dad, make a puzzle or planter for him, or host a Father's Day Art Exhibit with Dad as the guest of honor.)

What about you? How have you whiled the summer hours away so far? What has worked -- and what hasn't?

Do share! I'd love to hear.

Family Summer Fun #2

Wednesday June 6, 2012

Welcome to Summer Fun, Week 2!!

Click on over every Wednesday for some quick, easy ideas for filling up summertime with the kids.

This week I stumbled on some great ideas.

Summer Fun Ideas - Week 2

1. Check out this post on the blog, We are THAT family. It has some great practical ideas for how to be a great mom this summer.

2. Spending some time outdoors or going camping with the family? Here are some great ideas for outdoor cooking.

3. Can't camp out in the backyard? Have an indoor campout! Drag flashlights and blankets or sleeping bags into the living room, pop some popcorn, pull out the games, and have a great family time.

4. Look for a family neighborhood project. Have a neighbor who needs something repaired? Maybe she just needs someone to bring the mail to her door every day, or needs help bringing the groceries in after a shopping trip. Make it a family goal to figure out who needs help and how to help them.

What about you? What have you and your kids done this summer?
Have a great idea? Do share!

Happy summer!

Family Summer Fun

Wednesday May 30, 2012

Welcome to Summer Fun!!

Now that school's out and summer is upon us, do you need some ideas to keep the kids busy and happy?

Look no further!

Each Wednesday, I'll be posting several summer fun ideas. But before we get started, here are a few things to consider as you plan:

1. Ask the kids what they want to do. What would they like to learn? What activities would they like to try?

2. Consider what you'd like for the kids to do this summer. What was your favorite summer activity? What memory would you like for your kids to take away from this summer? Are there character traits you'd like to cultivate in your little ones? Can you use this time to grow those?

3. Don't attempt to do this all alone. Plan a few "Dad Only Days." Team up with a neighbor or friend. Check out local summer activities.

4. Be flexible. Plan, but be ready to back pedal if an activity isn't working out. Let the kids choose a theme or activity for the day or week. Or have a "do nothing" day, if that works.

Summer Fun Ideas - Week 1

1. Make a book about yourself for your grandparents. They'll love it! Include a photo, some artwork, a story or poem you've written, and a list of your favorite things. Box it up, address it, and take a trip to the Post Office to mail it. (Include a blank card addressed to you in the back...and watch your mailbox!)

2. Paint! Get some clean (or new) paintbrushes and rollers, a few sponges cut in interesting shapes, and a bucket or two of water. Paint with clean water on the fence, the side of the house, or the driveway.

3. Make your own glitter. Take 1/2 cup of salt and add 6 drops of food coloring. Stir well, and let it air dry. (If you're in a hurry, you can "cook" it in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.) Homemade glitter! If you want a bit more glitter and glitz, mix in some storebought glitter. Make cards or artwork with your new creation.

4. Bowl with 2 liter soda bottles. Weight them down with a little water in the bottom of each, set them out on the driveway, and bowl away.

Choose one or two and give them a try. I'd love to hear how they worked out.

What about you? What's your child's favorite summer activity? Or your favorite memory?