Yesterday was the last day of school. This weekend is filled with Graduation parties, end of the year sleepovers and celebrations. This is also the time I require my children (ages 11 and 14) to write a list of 50 things they would like to, can do, or should do at home this summer. For this particular list, I do not allow them to include things that require me to drive them somewhere. Their lists range from baking cookies, going for a bike ride, cleaning my room, bead a bracelet, have a water balloon fight, make some clay and play, write a letter to Grandma, do a crossword puzzle, read, etc.

After a few weeks into the summer, they usually come to me and say "I don't know what to do." I remind them of their Summer To Do List posted on the refrigerator. With 50 items to choose from, soon they are engaged in some non-stressful activitiy of their choice. The key is to have the list written before summer vacation begins and while anything other than homework seems fun!

Posted by Susan at 6/08/2002 04:19:27 PM | Link