How to Ruin Your Child’s Summer (In 5 Easy Steps)

School finally let out yesterday in Northern Virginia, and that means summer has officially begun in the eyes of my children. With just under 9 weeks of blissful vacation looming in front of them, my thoughts, naturally, turned to how I could ruin their summer.

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1. Make everything about education. If it doesn’t teach or reinforce something your children learned at school this year, then don’t let them do it. Summertime means extra learning time, so crack open those books and squeeze every last drop of education from each activity or trip you take. No sloughing off for your kids!
2. Be involved. Be very involved. Sure, summers used to be times when kids had more freedom from parental oversight, but that was back in the dangerous past. Nope, this summer, make sure that you are heavily invested in everything they do. Organize their days from morning until night, run play dates like a field marshal’s exercise, and referee every pick up game you see.
3. Curb those free-range tendencies. That’s right, no letting the older kids roam from home on their own. Keep ‘em tied tight to the home front. Let them walk to the park around the block by themselves? Are you crazy?
4. Become their cruise director. Along with number 2, make sure you have plenty of crafts on hand or games to play when a child utters those two words that send parents the world over into a tizzy: “I’m bored!” Don’t be defeated by those words—be proactive with ideas and ways to entertain them.
5. Let their imaginations atrophy. Summers used to mean a break from academic thinking, when children had more time for free thinking and imaginative play. No more! Ban imagination by keeping all handheld electronic devices fully charged and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Encourage marathon sessions of video games and binge-show watching.

By following these simple steps, you, too, can wreck your child’s summer vacation. We wouldn’t want our darlings to have any fun on their own, now would we?

Until next time,

Sarah

School Ends--Now What?

If you're like me and don't usually have childcare, summer vacation for your school-age children can seem daunting. Here are a few tips on keeping your kids out of trouble and out of your hair.

1. Schedule some fun activities throughout the summer. Make up a calendar with the events clearly marked. If they know something different is coming up, they will likely be more willing to let you work in peace, especially if they know misbehavior will result in canceling the outing.

2. Create a list of things to do when they utter the words "I'm bored." Get creative and you can probably come up with a fairly long list. Give each child an age-appropriate list and tell them that whenver they feel bored, they should do something on the list. Email me if you want to see the list for my kids.

3. Make a jobs jar for when they start whining about having nothing to do. Make them pick a slip of paper from the jar that has a chore on it they don't normally do, like dust the baseboards or sort their sock drawer. Remind them that the job has to be done to your satisfaction or it must be done again.

4. Be spontaneous. Surprise the kids every once in a while with a trip to the ice cream place or a water ballon fight in the backyard. Bring out a new DVD (new to them, that is) and pop popcorn for an afternoon matinee.

Summertime doesn't have to give you the blues when it comes to juggling your children and your at-home work. Try these ideas and I hope your summer is smooth sailing.

Until next time,

Sarah

Don't Forget to Take Time Off

With summer right around the corner, it's a good time to remind ourselves that even if we work from home, we still need to build in some rest and relaxation time in our schedules. Whether it's a leave-home-for-another-place vacation or a stayaction, whether it's for a week or a few days, making sure we have time to rejuvenate is very important.

Americans are pitful when it comes to actually taking a vacation. Most Europeans have 6 paid weeks off--and they take those weeks. By contrast, working Americans generally have 2 to 3 paid weeks off--and don't even take those.

Throw in being self-employed or having a home-based business, and you can see how taking a vacation would seem insurmountable given the work load, etc.

However, I would greatly encourage you to plan that vacation, even if you never leave your house. If taking an entire week off simply would not work, try taking a day off each week. Turn off your cell phone, keep your computer off and find things to do around the neighborhood or area. Most localities have wonderful free or close-to-free things to do for adults and children alike.

Make sure you pencil in your vacation plans early and stick with them. You'll find yourself refreshed and ready to work even harder if you can unplug and unwind.

Until next time,

Sarah

Taking Time Off

The June issue of At Home News tackles how to take a vacation when you work at home. Learn some tips on scheduling, juggling work responsibilities and finding time to relax and rejunvenate. Sign up for the free At Home News under the newsletter tab.

Until next time,


Sarah