Summer Tips For Kids At Home

Are your kids staying at home for the summer? Once your children get to a certain age, you can't really enroll them into an expensive daycare. There comes a point in every parent's life where they must learn to trust their children to stay at home alone. That time usually comes when there is a summer break for the kids but you have to go to work everyday. Here are some tips for parents to keep their children at home entertained and safe.

Chores

Some children do best where there is a structure. Summer gives many children a bunch of free time that they are not used to. Keep them busy with at least one chore to do every day, or at least every other day. Tell them to vacuum the carpet or dust the family room. Have a weekly inspection of their room at the end of the week. If you come home to a clean house, you can reward them with a treat or a little extra something that will make them happy. You can make a list for your child to do throughout the week and have them check it off at the end. There are endless possibilities to keep your child busy and to help keep the home clean for when you come home.

Art Projects

Many children get bored because they have nothing interesting to do at home when they are alone. Kids can't go out and buy the things that will keep them happy and stimulated. Do something to keep them entertained. Provide them with whatever they need to stay out of trouble for the summer. Buy them pencils and a sketch pad. If you know that your teen is well behaved and clean, buy them paints. You will be surprised with that your children can do with a little encouragement and the right tools.

Safety

Staying home alone for the summer isn't without any danger. Strangers can come up to the home and knock on the door while you are gone. Teach your children not to answer the door for any stranger, and not to make any sign that they might be inside. It is also wise to tell your children not to go outside at all unless you are home to supervise them. It might seem a bit restrictive to now allow them in the backyard, but it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your kids.

If you have home security systems from companies like Smith Monitoring, your child can have access to a panic button. This way, if someone strange is at the door and isn't going away, your child can easily press the panic button on your home alarm. Of course, make sure your children know their address and how to call 9-1-1. Have a designated safe spot in the house for your child to go to in case of a burglar entering the home. A good place is a closet that has a lot of stuff in it for them to hide among.

About the Author: Andrea is a writer, blogger, and artist. Check out her blogs to read up on all things pets, family, and the home.

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A Different Kind of Summer

Summer is here once again! I know Macky is so excited about summer because aside from the usual summer activities he does with his friends; his father is also planning a vacation for him in Cagayan de Oro. As much as I want to, I also wish Macky would enjoy his vacation doing his usual activities but I believe this summer is a little bit different from the past.

Macky needs to take a few summer classes this time. I have to admit that his public school stay was not as fruitful as expected so for him to be able to proceed to the next level this coming school year, it is a must for him to take summer lessons on several subjects.

For this summer, I have enrolled him in a private school and negotiated a few conditions with the school principal where I intend to enroll him this coming school year. And because of his performance in the public school, I am now decided to transfer him back into a private institution. The tuition fees may hurt his father’s pocket but I think that is the better option for Macky right now.

This may be a different kind of summer for Macky but I do hope he will appreciate it and hopefully do better with his lessons this time.

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A Birthday Gift for Him

Kuya Macky will be celebrating his 14th birthday this coming December. As a doting Aunt I am already thinking of whether to throw a party for him or just simply give him a birthday gift. I haven’t discussed anything with his father yet but Macky has initially told me that he do not want any big party or big celebration on his birthday. He preferred to have a simple thanksgiving dinner with family and maybe some variants of cool Movado watches.

I pray that as Macky grows older he may also gain wisdom so he may able to discern God’s will for his existence.

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5 Activities Your Kids Can Do This Summer To Cure Boredom

It's almost here. May is already upon us and that means summer is a mere few more weeks away. Summer is great for your kids, but not so great for you. As a big kid, you have to go to your grown-up job. As a little kid, your young ones get to stay up late watching TV and eating junk food all day long. While this is fun for about a day, your kids are sure to become bored with it. Here are 5 activities your kids can do this summer to make sure boredom doesn't strike their summer life.

1. Play outside

Too many kids are obsessed with technology. They have iPads, Kindles, iPhones, computers, and all other little devices that do nothing but enable them to veg out on the couch for hours on end. Your kids probably do this all the time, but you know that they will get bored with it. Instead of allowing them 'wireless device time' for eight hours out of a day, give them the option to go play outside. Set up a basketball court behind your house or give them a soccer ball that they can kick around in the backyard. If they have a babysitter, the pool is always a great option for long summer days when you are stuck at the office.

2. Grab a book

Your kids will probably give you a weird look when you suggest this one. But if they get to read it on their Kindle or iPad, they might be more inclined. There are a ton of exciting books that your kids can read depending on their age. From The Hunger Games to Harry Potter, there is something that is bound to attract their attention in some way. Reading always passes the time faster than watching a ton of TV. Plus, it's good for their intellectual development!

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A Great Summer Activity for the Family

People nowadays seem so occupied with a lot of things that they sometimes forget to spend quality time with their families. Most of the time, they are with the company of their colleagues, friends and even spend a lot of their time with their gadgets thus wasting precious opportunities to foster better relationships with siblings and parents.

Spending quality time with loved ones plays an integral role in keeping a stronger family ties. There are various fun and worthwhile activities that you can do to keep your family united especially this summer and one of these is swimming. It is one of the most-liked family activities because it is not just enjoyable for kids but it is also healthy for everyone. It improves your endurance and cardiovascular fitness especially for the parents.

When you go swimming with your family, make sure to prepare scrumptious but nutritious food that the whole family will enjoy. You can prepare fresh colourful fruits and vegetables, fruit juices, sports drinks and a lot of water. If you are a mom, and you are having a hard time choosing what to wear on swimming parties, you can visit online shopping sites or brick-and-mortar stores to look for Speedo womens swimwear. This brand sells a wide array of swimwear for all ages and it is famous for its comfort and durability so it is worth every penny.

Swimming is a great summer activity for the family and also a good way to chill out and strengthen the family’s connection so find time to hit the beach or the pool and create wonderful memories with your kids and relatives.

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Healthy Summer Routine

Kuya Macky has started a healthy summer routine right after his elementary graduation. He would woke up at half past three in the morning to prepare for his daily jogging schedule with friends and basketball teammates and start at around four in the morning. When he reached home after jogging, he would take a rest for a while then eat breakfast prepared by either Mommy or Daddy. After eating  breakfast and cleaning up the dishes, he would then start with cleaning and organizing the living room and do other chores I assigned to him the night before. And as a compensation, I would pay him at least thirty pesos (P30) but most of the time higher than that if I am happy and satisfied with his work.

Relaxing after a hard day's work...

It has been more than a month that we don't have a house help and I admit it was really hard on my part at first but thanks to Kuya Macky who volunteered himself to clean up the house every day as his part – time job for the summer break. Waking up each morning seeing how organize things are inside the house makes me sigh with relief. With the dining area and the living room clean, I can at least focus on some important chores in the house. I am so grateful for Kuya Macky's new found energy and maturity.

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