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With school right around the corner, my husband and I decided on one last day trip…all four of us. We settled on Myrtle Beach since we could go and head back the same day. The difference between this and most of our trips is that we did not tell the boys what we were doing or even where we were going. We weren’t sure if we could pull it off, but yesterday, as we pulled into Ripley’s Aquarium….they were still clueless

One of our earlier trips this summer to DC

Jake has been wanting to take his dad to see Medieval Times for awhile now. I took both boys during the last deployment and ever since Jake has been asking for a return visit. Sam and I weren’t so keen on round two of the show, but Sam is never one to turn down a trip to Build a Bear. With our respective “dates” in mind, we set off for lunch in Wilmington and that was all we told the boys…..just lunch then home.

They really thought they were on their way home until we were about five minutes from Broadway at The Beach. I am pretty sure Sam got out of the car and thought he was in Jacksonville It was a fun way to end our summer and even getting home at 11PM was OK. We had time as a family and everyone got to do something they enjoy. We’ll have to make those memories last a couple of months now. School, football, tennis…….back to reality and back to work.

Did you take any last trips before school started? Have you ever surprised your kids with a getaway?

Do you remember mowing the lawn as a kid?

I certainly do…I thought it was fun.  It was hard work, but there was such a sense of accomplishment that came from seeing those lawn mower lines.

My tween is now 7 1/2 and just mowed the lawn for the first time.  My husband does most of the outside work, so I never even thought about letting Lincoln give it a try.  I was inside making dinner and stepped outside to check on things…this is what I saw.  My tween, cutting the grass for the first time.  It shocked me a little to think that he was old enough for that responsibility.  Man, he has grown up so fast.

Sometimes, as I drive around, I see teenagers cutting the lawn and listening to their ipods.  It makes me so happy to see that…!  I think it is important for kids to pull their weight in the home.  I have slacked in this area lately and it is something I am working on doing a better job with my kiddos.

Now my tween is officially old enough to cut the lawn…is it also time to step up his responsibilities a little bit more?  Should I start teaching him to do his own laundry and be responsible for making dinner for the family?  Maybe I should…!!  As a parent, we want to raise independent children who can function on their own in society as responsible adults.

Maybe the time has come…today he is cutting the lawn and tomorrow…he will be heading off to college (kidding)…..they just grow up to darn fast!!!

What are some of the chores you have your tween doing?

I’m beginning to realize that motherhood dictates my life.  My schedule and wants are second.  This is OK, it’s a reality.  There have been many articles written on kids being over-scheduled.  How about the effects on over-scheduled Moms, it has the same effect…BURNOUT.  Many women/mothers work, go to school, support husbands in demanding occupations or are left for long periods of time being single parents, plus taking care of health, home and kids.  By the time we all put appointments on our calendars it can become overwhelming and over-scheduled.  So, how do we fulfill our personal needs, give our children experiences, foster a sense of independence and creativity while not over-scheduling ourselves, children or family?

Here a few personal reflections on how I try to seek balance while avoiding complete Burnout….

1. Prioritize.  Evaluate where you spend a lot of time.  Is this working?  If not, change.  A wise man once said, ”As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all.”

2. Be Realistic.  We all know what triggers stress in our self, children and families.  So, listen.  If it is too much for Mom, it is probably too much for the children.

3.  Be honest.  Know your limitations and express them.  There is no harm in telling someone “No” or, “I can’t”  Ultimately, family comes first.

4.  Communicate.  Communication is key not only with your spouse, children, but as a family.  We have tried both ways…trying to do it all and learning that we have to limit each child to one activity so that none of us are over-scheduled.

5.  Be creative.  I have learned that things that bring me great joy can be combined with already scheduled activities.  If I’m already at my son’s soccer practice and they need volunteers, why not volunteer.  I’m teaching my other children to serve, building memories, and teaching my children about the value of creatively using time.

I loved this article written in a medical journal about over-scheduled children.  I think we can also apply it to parents.  It reminds us all to re-evaluate our good intentions and to slow down.  Schedule time to do nothing.  Schedule Pajama days.  Explore and create.

Do you feel over-scheduled as a mother and what do you do to avoid it?

These cutie boys and friends recently went on a fun outing.

3 Moms +

3 Tweens=

A Fabulous Night out!!

We took them out to dinner at Red Robin and to a book club at Barnes and Noble.  As I have said earlier, my tween is a huge fan of the Magic Tree House book series.

Barnes and Noble hosted a book club for book # 6, Afternoon on the Amazon. They talked a little bit about the book and then made a craft that coordinated with the book.  Lincoln loved the craft that they made and loved that he was surrounded by lots of other kids who also loved the same books that he does.  I think Barnes and Noble also has a book club for the American Girl books.  I have said many times before that I want my children to love reading.  I think the most educated and well rounded people are those who read often.  I wish I could say that I am a more avid reader, but it just isn’t my season for that.

When I attended the open house for my tween’s school, I was so happy to see the great variety of books his teacher had in the classroom available for my son.  She had each book series in a different labeled basket.  I can imagine all those fabulous books he will be reading in her classroom.

Moral of the story…Barnes and Noble ROCKS!!  I never get enough time there, usually spend too much money, but always come away from there with a smile on my face!!

What are some activities you do to keep your tween excited about reading?

Can you hear the drums, can you feel your heart beat quicken…..can you hear the screaming fans??  That is right, college football is on the horizon.  As I have said before, we are hard core Florida Gator fans!!  We love college football season…we live for it!!

What will college football bring to my tween this year?  Hmmm, I would definitely say….lots of nail biting and tv yelling, lots of yummy football food, lots of family time, lots of orange and BLUE…but a little less Tim Tebow.

I know we aren’t alone in our love for college football.  We have dear friends who are Tennessee fans, LSU fans and even a fellow Mom Talk blogger, Kelly Gump who is a Ohio State fan.  College football brings people together.  Not only that, but it makes my tween so HAPPY!!  He lives for college football season.  I think it is up there as one of his favorite things to do.  I love that he loves it and that it is a family affair.

I better get cracking on some fun new ideas for football food and spirited orange and blue football spreads.  In my opinion, if it is something my tween loves and it makes him really happy…it makes me really happy.

So, whether you are a Gator or a Buckeye (Kelly Gump) have a wonderful football season with your tween.  Sport your team colors, let loose and let the good times roll.

And oh yes….”It’s Great To Be a FLORIDA GATOR”