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Gosh I love Summer! I love the warm temperatures and long days and I love having my kids at home. Well that last part actually wears off within a few days. Kids love summer vacation but if you don't keep them busy they can get busy doing things you don't want like bugging each other which will eventually bug you. We all look forward to some down-time with no schedules and lazy time spent by the pool. But we have so conditioned our kids to be constantly on the go, that they have a hard time knowing what to do with down-time. So, finding that fine line between an over-scheduled summer and too much free time is not an easy task in our family. I've tried not scheduling my children's day in the past and that was a disaster. They can only watch and hour or two of television and then move onto the family PC or plug in an ipod. This actually both stimulates and bores them at the same time and the result is a lot of cranky behavior that can get on my nerves. I do have a very sports minded daughter so for her, just practicing softball outdoors will channel her focus in a very positive way. Summer camps are a great addition to any summer's schedule. If you can afford an 'away' camp for a week or two that can really help your child grow in many ways and begins to set a framework for future independence. If that's too pricey, find some local day camps. They can provide a ton of fun, teach new skills and give you some time for yourself. Day camps can be much more fun than most day care alternatives. If even day camps prove to be a bit hard to work in, look for free alternatives. Many local libraries have great programs. They tend to be reading focused which in my book is a good thing. There are too many distractions to reading in our society and to refocus our children on the basics can only help them in the future. Finally, don't overlook other mothers for a support network that is a real lifesaver during the summer months. Maybe the concept of a 'play date' has been overdone but it's still a good idea. It's different scenery, a friend to play with and one mom watches just one more kid while the other can relax or get some work done.
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Keep the glasses from piling up by giving each child an monogrammed mug for all day use. And indulge yourself with a bit of vino at day's end with white wine glass.
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