Summer Success

I haven't written a blog for a couple weeks because I have been distracted with vacation and what seems like a never ending array of errands. School let out for the summer a few weeks ago and it feels like that was months ago. So much seems to happen in the summer. The days are longer and the events and parties pile up.

I think my schedule is busy because I have my activities plus the kids' activities. Some parents spend their days transporting their kids around. I don't remember my parents toting me around as much or planning my play-dates. Didn't we just play with other kids? I had to be home when the street lights came on and when we played stick ball, I don’t remember discussing so much about the rules. We just played. My kids plan everything out ahead of time and have rules on top of rules on top of more rules. What is this all about? Sometimes they never actually get around to playing.

So now, July 4^th has come and gone. Vacation is over for us and we still have about eight weeks left of summer. To keep sanity in the house, I have started a money earning system which began as “beach money” that could be increased or decreased with certain behaviors. Now it has flowed over into “summer cash”. My kids seem to be motivated by money. I suppose I will stick with the motto ‘whatever works’ and go with it.

They can use that money at their own discretion. Spend it at Five Below or save it. It seems to get them doing chores outside of the expected range. Today they even played together without as many rules. Perhaps there is a silver lining.

What works for your kids and family? Tell us in the comments below.