I know it is not even August yet, but am I the only mom already (sort of) wishing it was closer to the first day of school? I love my boys but something happened to them about a week ago. I think the carefree summer has gotten to them and they need some structure…and I need a break!

Jake and Sam ready for their first day last year

I have tried to let the boys have lots of free time this summer and I know they need it, but I think they need a little “organized fun” as well. We have started with thirty minutes each day or reading or writing or some other academic pursuit. It gives them some time to wind down and it gives me just a sliver or peace in the house…even if very short. Now that I have started them thinking about back to school, I wondered what else I should be doing about a month out from the first day back and I came up with a little list:

• Try on last years school clothes to see what fits and start replacing what they need (watch for those sales!)
• Check the school supply lists and start getting what they need
• Let your child select a lunchbox, backpack and first day outfit
• Schedule a physical exam if needed (be sure to take the school medical form with you)
• Make before care and after care arrangements if needed
• Organize any carpools
• Sew name tags or place name stickers on their items
• Take time to sit with your child and talk about the nervousness and excitement of the first day back

I think that last point is so important…I remember how excited I was to head back but also a little scared too about new teachers, new kids….all of the unknown. It is a wonderful time of year…take some time to enjoy it amid the chaos of getting everything ready.

I don’t know about you, but this summer is flying by WAY too quickly.  There are only a few weeks left in July…What??  We have made lots of fun memories this summer, but I have lots more fun to check off before we get back to school.

Here are a few things I have learned from my tween this summer;

- His little brain gets rusty when he is away from school too long.  I need to keep up on math especially or he will forget.

- He LOVES The Magic Tree House series.  He will read them over and over again and never gets bored of them.

- He needs structure even if life is crazy and we travel and have visitors….when we get back to our ‘normal life’ he needs structure immediately.

- If he runs around barefoot too much, his little feet start to get all dry and crackly.  We have to keep them moisturized so he can spend another day running around barefoot.

- He needs quiet time every day.  Even if he fights it, he is alot happier when he has it.

- It isn’t fun to be outside in the heat for him if there is not water involved.  He gets hot and grumpy and tired….it isn’t fun!

- He loves meeting new friends and laughing and playing with friends as often as possible.

- He has a blast with his sisters, even though they fight, they really love each other and at times make the happiest memories together.

What are some of the things you have learned about your tween this summer?

This month’s theme for tweens is a parents fun guide for the summer.  I think anything can be fun with the right attitude!  My favorite spots in every room of our house are the reading corners with bookshelves.  Each of my children have at least one book shelf in their rooms with fun reading material, educational references, activity guides, etc.  Our favorite afternoon summer activity is building forts and reading.  I have my tween read to the younger kids.  First, it helps me get a little break, second, it keeps her reading level up and third I think the younger kids learn better by wanting to follow their older sister’s example.

Summer fun doesn’t have to always be entertaining or outside.  With the extreme heat and having a relatively young one still we have to cater to her.  So, we get creative with our time and hit the beach or pool early and try to spend the hottest hours inside….reading, napping, doing crafts, writing letters or book reports.

I have often caught my children doing what I did as a child:  Playing librarian.  The dollar store has index card pockets like the library books and index cards work great.  The children “check” out books from each other with dues dates.  You can also get date stampers at the dollar store.  It is fun play but also teaches responsibility, ownership, sharing, time, etc.

We also have had fun creating things we have discovered in our books.  Be it a new recipe, game, or craft.  We have made shows from books read.  We have also tried to have the kids share and tell with Dad about something they learned in their reading that day.  I will give them scavenger hunts through books to find facts.  There are many creative summer ideas that can be done inside when the hot sun and heat are too much for our tweens.

We have found many great books at thrift stores for low cost so that we can have books accessible at home, although libraries are great as well and offer free summer programs.  This picture is my bookshelf in my room.  My children often “catch” me reading too and that is important to teach by example.  My mother gave me the legacy of learning and reading.

What are some of your favorite indoor summer activities?

Keep It Safe & Simple.  I’m learning this summer about the importance of allowing my children to participate with household projects.  I have always been a firm believer in allowing my kids to help, regardless the outcome.  One thing that is important to remember when allowing tweens and children to help with projects is the acronym K.I.S.S. 

We recently built a fence and we had a lot of left over wood.  Since we are trying to be economical, it seemed wasteful to just throw away the scrap wood when we could create something with it.  We have been wanting to garden for a while as a family.  Truth be told…I do NOT have a green thumb.  I can look and admire and appreciate others gardens and I do envy the fact that others have the gift.  I forget to water as much as needed here in the South and plants tends to repel me.  So, after a good friend who recently moved told me how she was able to get continued success from her container gardens, we decided to build some with the scrap wood.  Better yet, it was the perfect job for my tween and siblings.  We merely had to nail together “boxes.”

My kids had that success feeling within minutes as they discovered how easy it was to build the garden boxes.  We may be a little late for this season, but we are prepared for planting season next year.  Each person in the family is picking and planting at least one box.  They will each be responsible for it.  Hopefully by providing projects that are simple and providing safety with those projects, my children will continue to learn life skills, build, create and develop a desire to continue this. 

My tween is now talking about other things she can create with her cousins next week.  I have heard rumors of tree houses, forts, boxes, stairs, etc.  By allowing them to help with this project we have left the TV and boredom land and entered the land that I remember well as a tween….imagination, creativity, being outside and being busy. 

Have you allowed your tween to create something lately?  Please share.  Do you think it is important for your tween to learn how to use tools?  How are some ways you teach skills in a fun and safe manner?

We live in a state full of American history.  I love the fact that we have so many day trips to visit that can make history become alive.  My family is able to learn faster and relate better when experiencing things first-hand. 

We recently were able to go to New Bern and participate in a re-enactment of Independence Day as it would have been celebrated in the year 1836.  We met many people from that time period and were taught how to make corn-silk dolls, played Graces, joined the townball (benders) game, and danced to the fiddle.  By participating in free events that local historical places offer, you are able to cement history through expereince in your tweens life. 

My tween was amazed at the colonial costumes and remarked how hot she was on that particular day.  It allowed me to talk more about the dress of the times and that they would have been wearing the long dresses and many layers with no option of shorts or other “styles” of clothing.   She was able to ask questions about the games they had to play and quickly realized the simplicity of time. 

There are many opportunities of exposing our children to “living” history here in NC.  This same week were able to go to Fort Fisher with some friends and learn about the Civil War.  Being a Yankee myself, we were able to discuss the Confederate and Union with our children.  We were able to discuss the reason we were fighting.  My tween asked question after question and I was happy.  I was happy because learning happens when we question.  It means she was thinking.  The best part of it was that she didn’t even realize that our day adventure was educational.;)

We have many other places in NC to explore like Cherokee, Winston-Salem, Willington, etc.  This website offers 27 places of interest to visit to bring history to life in our state.  Whether native or transplanted here, make history come alive for your tween!

What places have you discovered locally that has brought history to life for your tween?