School’s Out! – Tips on How to Get in a Great Mood for Summer
For the kids, school being out means no more teachers, no more books, but for parents, it can mean a lot of excess hassle and management. Fret not, moms and dads, you and your kids can have a great time if you follow these tips on getting into a great mood for summer.
1. Game Night – Playing board games can be a great way to get out any sibling rivalry and get the whole family playing and laughing together. Either pick out a favorite board game, or play one that doesn’t need any extra pieces like Charades on game night.
2. Eat Right – By having delicious and healthy meals, you can stay in a great mood. Just take a look at this list of terrific foods for your mood.
3. Un-birthdays – Birthdays only come once a year. But if there’s one thing youth tells us, it’s that birthdays are days where you can celebrate just being yourself. Give yourself or a member of your family a celebration on a day that isn’t their birthday, an unbirthday, just to feel special.
4. “Choose Your Dinner” Night – Have a night out of the week where one family member gets to choose what to have. Rotate one night a month or every 2 weeks or so, just so you can have a great excuse to splurge and have something fun.
5. Mom and Dad’s Night Out – Hire a babysitter or put the eldest in charge and get out of the house for a night. Don’t worry about the kids, just go out and have a good time. You deserve it.
6. Sleepovers – Likewise, you can help out your kids’ friends’ moms and dads by hosting a sleepover. Let the kids stay up late to tell spooky stories and secrets and have pillow fights. It’ll make the kids happy and help you feel like a kid again.
7. Day Camp / Sleepaway Camp – When I was younger, I went to Space Camp, and it was one of the most fun times I can remember. Give yourself some peace of mind that the kids will be in good hands while you can get things done around the house.
8. Get Crafty – Making crafts is a fun way to be creative and get your hands on a project you’ve been wanting to work on. Whether you’re into sewing, woodworking or needlepoint, crafting is a great way to be creative and have something to show for it afterwards.
9. School Memory Book – Now that the school year is over, preserve those memories of friends and lessons learned by creating scrapbooks of all the special projects to help prepare for the coming school year.
10. Bake a Cake – Or Rice Krispy Treats, or cupcakes or chocolate chess pie or cookies. Getting a little messy in the kitchen is a great way to spend a fun afternoon indoors.
11. Create T-Shirts – I’ve always liked unique T-shirts, and there is no better way to show off your unique creativity than by sporting it on a T-shirt. There are lots of instructional videos out there, and here’s another great Do-It-Yourself website that takes you through the steps of screenprinting t-shirts.
12. Camp Out in the Backyard – Pitch a tent in the backyard and pretend it is the great outdoors. You’ll get all the fun of camping without fear of wandering bears.
13. Ride Bikes – Riding bikes is a fun way to get exercise while you enjoy the outdoors. Bike riding as a family can be a non-stressful way to go on an adventure around your neighborhood.
14. Movie Night – Pick out a favorite movie that the whole family can enjoy, pop some popcorn and have a good laugh or cry at a heartwarming or hilarious film.
15. Make up a Play – If you get inspired by what you see in the movies or on TV, you can recreate those magical moments by performing your very own play in the comfort of your own home.
You can use these tips as suggestions of ways you can keep your family engaged and in a good mood this summer, but you won’t have to look far for ideas when you have your family at your side.
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Comments
Angie Sunday, May 31, 2009
Great ideas - I only have one complaint..the family pictured on the website on their bikes are NOT WEARING HELMETS - I work in a hospital and see what can happen if a bike rider is injured and NOT wearing a helmet.