Summer with your Kids

 

School is going to let out for the summer soon. Are you dreading each day? Wondering what in the world you are going to do with your children home.

These thoughts take me back about 5 years to a day about this time of year. A great friend of mine (fairly new at the time), said "I can't wait for summer to start I get my kids back at home with me!". She loves to have her kids with her, she looks forward to that time. I thought at first "what is wrong with this woman?", but God spoke to me that day and reminded me of how much I loved being with them when they were tiny. From that point on, I worked on looking forward to them coming home, summer break and all of the days they had off. Don't get me wrong, about August 15th or so, both they and I are ready to go back to our old routine , but we have had our bonding time together and enjoyed each other.

The thing to focus on here is that it was just a little change in attitude on my part that altered our summers and our time together forever. I had decided that I was going to make the best of these days ahead for the sake of our relationship. I wanted to build those relationships.

There are so many great things to do in the summer, beaches, gardening, parks and water fun. Teach your children how to have fun and how to relax with a good book.

Summer can be a time when you teach them anything and everything, you finally have the time. The school year is so rushed and busy we don't have time to teach them about life and relationships.

My two older children are in Jr. High and High School and I am realizing how few years I have left with them under my wing. I am so thankful for my friend's great attitude and to God for showing me, early enough, to just relax and enjoy my children when I get them.

P.S. Something we are finding successful is for the kids to earn screen time. What I mean is, to earn the right to watch T.V., play video games or use the computer. I am using school and Bible work. They get minute for minute. If they do 30 minutes of work they have earned 30 minutes of screen time of their choice. I have them get this done first thing in the morning before they do anything else.

Kids have so much structure at school that when they are just given a loose schedule, they don't know what to do with themselves. Try to keep some structure and I think you will find that you and your children will be happier.

P.P.S. (is that how you do that) I wrote this several years ago I now have one in college and the other three are homeschooling with me now. God really did change my heart and my attitude.

Jeannie