
TIP: Speaking of "tone it down", that's what all us moms are going to be saying here in the next couple of weeks when all the kids are home for summer and we're used to our peace and quiet. Several of you asked me to expand on my little WEEKLY SUMMER SCHEDULE, so here goes:
MONDAY MOVIE DAY--Pretty self-explanatory. Set child/children in front of TV and turn DVD player on. Continuous play buttons are extra handy. No really, after a busy weekend, they need down time. A couple of movies in a row won't hurt, or take them to a movie (Mondays are .50 cent days at a local theatre here), learn about a movie, make a movie.
TUESDAY TOY DAY--Don't you just love all the toys they have, but never play with (and then they complain they don't have anything TO play with?)? This is the day to say, play with the TOYS! Even outside toys are renewed when summer hits! Break out the rollerblades and bikes. Make a toy, have a puppet show, buy the toy you've promised them as a reward, build something.
WEDNESDAY WATER DAY--This one is fun. Take child/children outside and spray with water. They love it in the eyes. Get creative with this one. The obvious ones are play in a play pool, sprinkler or bathtub (seriously, my 4 year old loves to swim with her swimsuit on in the tub!). We don't have a pool, so if you don't either, take them to a waterpark or sneak over to your neighbor's pool while they are gone, making sure they don't use the dye that turns color if a potty accident occurs. This is also a good time to do science experiments that involve water or anything liquid. Read about the ocean and/or ocean animals. Potty train.
THURSDAY THOUGHTFUL DAY--You may have to force this one. The intent is to teach your kids to think of others, but the thoughtfulness concept is still an embryo until the age of 21, so keep that in mind. Today, make something for someone else, write a thank-you note, make a card for someone (who'da thunk and here's your chance to stamp), clean up something you didn't do. Make/send some flowers to a neighbor. Anything charitable or helpful toward others. The good thing about Thursday Thoughtful Day is that you get to play that card when they don't share and then they don't get the reward toy the next week on Tuesday Toy Day, totally forcing them to play with what they already have. If you're low on dough, have your radar ON for this.
FRIDAY FRIEND DAY--Farm your kids off for the day to a friend's house. If you're extra lucky, said friend will have them stay the night. Ok, if that's not possible, make Fridays a day where they get to have a friend over, or go do something with a friend. Scheduled "co-op" times between moms to take each other's kids, even for a couple of hours is greatness and majorly helpful for your sanity (remember this on Thursdays). Do I have any takers?
Seriously, this is a FUN weekly thing to follow and kids enjoy the structure of having something to look forward to. It's not imperitave that you stick to it and the activities don't even have to last all day. However, I think in the long run, you will have more time to get some stuff you want to get done if you just set that aside for a bit and share some time with them first. Only after that can you then also pull the "Now it's time for Mommy to play" card. I actually made a few of these days so that I'd have "built-in" stamping time. (But chores and laundry also have to get done--maybe I'm the one in need of a schedule!) I'd love to hear any suggestions of ideas for any of these daily things to do. If I get a lot of ideas, I will compile them here in a later post. Thanks for reading!!
Stamps: Fluttering By (Verve Visual), Bird in Cage (Hero Arts), Pretty Pattern Backgrounder (CHF)
Paper: Basic Black (SU!), Sasha Collection (Prima)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Chestnut Cat's Eye (Colorbox), Versamark
Accessories: Chipboard Tag (K&Company), Clip (Making Memories), Prima Flowers, Brown Flower Brads, Button, Colored Brads, Mini Flower Punch, Brown/White Polka Organdy Ribbon from Michael's, Pop Up Glue Dots, Regular Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Pink Trim
Dear Susie,
ReplyDeleteAll joking aside, do you have a program like this for teenagers? I'm not sure this one would fly for them! Don't I wish!
BTW, this card today is amazing, totally my cup of tea!
Hugs,
Amy
:D AWESOME shabby card Sus, and I LOVE your humor in the schedule! No, I KNOW you're serious, really, but I love how you put it. Great idea!!
ReplyDeleteThese are great ideas! Totally got my creative juices giong for plans with my kids this summer. If I come up with anything else new I will share. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteSus, this is absolutely gorgeous! And your week plan? Total genius!
ReplyDeleteLove your card and your Summer Schedule -- definitely going to try that, and I may just have to make a cute little Glue chart to remind us all what the day is! Maybe we need to do that as a challenge?! Back to your card -- love that shape you used, the backgrounder, etc. You are so getting out of any sort of box these days. I just have to say, you are impressing the bejeezus out of me!!! MWAH!
ReplyDeleteWhere are all the comments that this card deserves!?! It's so cute!
ReplyDeleteWow! Susan that card is incredible! I sooo wish I could do shabby! Will you be my yoda and teach me?:D Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome, Susan!! I love the shabby chic you've got goin' on with this one. So fun!
ReplyDeleteso very awesome! I just picked up those same tags yesterday during my trip to Michael's! :)
ReplyDeleteHoly wow girl!!!! I just love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! totally rocks!
ReplyDeleteLove this schedule. I will save this for when Alex gets older.
ReplyDeleteAdorable card.