My house is probably as messy as it has been all year, but the kids are happy. The mess is mostly from games, puzzles and toys - a good deal is also sand tracked in from the sand box. I'm working on being happy too, even though the mess drives me nuts (You can only sweep the floor so many time in one day before you become the crazy lady with a broom).
You may remember a post from a few days ago when I was feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of a summer stretched out before us. My solution was to sit down with the kids and talk about our day-to-day plans. What did they want to do? When would they watch TV? How would they find time separate from each other? There are still other questions we'll be hashing out this weekend, but we did agree on a few things:
*We will only turn the TV on for one hour each on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (family movie nights on Friday are an option at parental discretion).
*We signed up for the summer reading program at the library. Our goal is to each read at least 30 minutes each day (I'm reading The Chronicles of Narnia aloud to them too).
*We pulled out all the games and puzzles and decided that everyone gets a chance to choose a game each day. They can play whatever they want and as much as they want so long as there is no fighting.
*Kids can trade TV time for computer time and Thursdays are designated computer days.
How do you keep order in your house during the summer? Are you a planner or do you like to wing it?
You may remember a post from a few days ago when I was feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of a summer stretched out before us. My solution was to sit down with the kids and talk about our day-to-day plans. What did they want to do? When would they watch TV? How would they find time separate from each other? There are still other questions we'll be hashing out this weekend, but we did agree on a few things:
*We will only turn the TV on for one hour each on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (family movie nights on Friday are an option at parental discretion).
*We signed up for the summer reading program at the library. Our goal is to each read at least 30 minutes each day (I'm reading The Chronicles of Narnia aloud to them too).
*We pulled out all the games and puzzles and decided that everyone gets a chance to choose a game each day. They can play whatever they want and as much as they want so long as there is no fighting.
*Kids can trade TV time for computer time and Thursdays are designated computer days.
Playing Pretty, Pretty Princess
Watching TV would certainly make for less mess, but it's worth the trade-off to have kids that are interacting, learning and growing together. (Sure, there's a little cross dressing going on, but whatever.) We also have plans to visit special places, go camping, play with friends, make interesting food in the kitchen, and plant in the garden. How do you keep order in your house during the summer? Are you a planner or do you like to wing it?
Oh my goodness Jenna...this could not have come at a more perfect time! After I almost lost all sense because I couldn't find Finn as they were happily selling lemonade to thirsty visitors, we sat down at dinner and discussed "summer rules". Summer "rules" - what is my problem??? The kids are happy, my house is trashed as well....let it go, Court, let it go....thank you for this reminder Jenna!
ReplyDelete