Create Your Own Family Blog

By Leslie Pleasants
Many of you have a facebook page already but do you have a family blog yet?  This is a great way to share with your family and friends all the pictures and memories that happens in your every day lives.  Some people love to write short stories about a particular day and others just post pictures and might include a few words to go along with what they are doing. 

Most of your family members by now should have email but not all of them use facebook.  To me a blog is almost like a diary but with pictures.... a scrapbook but with more wording.  You really can get creative when putting one together.  It all depends on your style and how much time you have.  Some days I don't have time to write so I just add pictures and a title.  Every couple of months I will email out to everyone that I want to see it letting them know that I updated my blog. 

Blogs are FREE!  Of course there are sites out there that want to charge you if you want to upgrade..  have your own domain http://www.yourname.com/.   But for an example of a free blog... your blog address would be http://yourname.blogspot.com/

They are so easy to make.  They pretty much walk you step by step on what to do.  Below is five FREE family blog sites to choose from.

Blogger.com

Blogger.com is a great free family blog site resource. You can create a blog with a unique name (www.blogname.blogger.com) and website. You can choose to list the blog on Bloggers website and to list it in search engines (or not). You should note that everyone will be able to view the blog you create on blogger unless you go to "settings" and then "Permissions."

In this screen, you can add additional blog authors, so you can add them to the list. You can also choose to have your blog viewable to "Anybody," "Only people I choose," or "Only blog authors." If anyone will be posting information about children, it is recommended that you choose either "Only people I choose" or "Only blog authors."



Wordpress.com

Perhaps one of the most popular free family blog sites on the internet is WordPress.com. Like Blogger.com, you can post whether you would like your blog to be listed, whether you would like to limit the blog to only people you choose, and who is able to post on the blog.

Unlike Blogger.com, there are a large number of "Themes" available for WordPress. You can select exactly how you would like your family blog site to look.


Weebloggity Blogs

If you are looking for a way to keep in touch with family in a way that's family friendly and lacks advertising, WeeBloggity Blogs might be the place for your free family blog site. The website sets you up with an online baby journal, free family blog, and free pregnancy blog. It can be a great way to keep in touch with a simple user-interface. You can determine whether you want your blog to appear in Google search.

Interestingly enough, WeeBloggity Blogs are run through WordPress.com. However, the website is set up to make it so that you are a part of a community. Just like with WordPress, you can control exactly who is able to view your blog.


Familylobby.com

FamilyLobby.com is a fourth choice among the available free family blog sites. Family Lobby offers free private family websites. When you sign up, you can choose whether you are creating the family website for "Family," "Baby," or a "Group." After you choose, you can select what features your website will have. You can require all members to log in before they can view the website (recommended if security is an issue for you), choose the website layout you enjoy, create an email for members, add members, and more. You can also host a calendar, recipes, and even voting polls on your FamilyLobby.com site. This can be a great option for families that want to plan reunions and more.

LiveJournal.com

The final the five free family blog sites listed is LiveJournal. LiveJournal is another great option. On LiveJournal, you can select a theme, describe what your interests are, upgrade your account should you desire, find people by interest (and find friends, since it's also a social networking type site), create voice posts, select how you will be notified when someone interacts with you, and set your privacy level.

The 5 family friendly blogs brought to you by brighthub.com

Making A Difference One Family At A Time With Homes Of Hope

One week from today my family will travel into Mexico for our first FAMILY build -there will be 19 of us (siblings, children, grandparents etc.) joining with another family and together we will  build a Home of Hope for a family of 6  in need of a place to call home.

For years I have desired to take my family on a trip like this to teach my children how they can make a difference in the lives of others- Homes Of Hope has a  mission to Make a difference in one family at a time and that is what we as a family are setting out to do next week.

Maybe you can't jump on a plane with your family and be there physically but you can help in a monetary way - The house build itself cost over $5000.00 and is the responsibility of the team this does not include our travel expenses, lodging or meals. (we have each covered these personal expenses).  Would you like to be part of giving a family of 6 their own home and making a difference? 

You can join our family build by making a Tax deductible donation to: YWAM 

Mail to:
24/7 MOMS
6716 92nd ST CT NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98332

For more information about Homes of Hope click here


A Home of Hope for the Ochoa Family from Shane Kalai on Vimeo.

Special Vacation Advice for Families with Special Needs Children

By Dr. Scott L. Barkin (Guest writer)

The excitement of going on a family vacation can be matched only by the stress parents experience as they prepare for the excursion. Parents of children with disabilities have special considerations to keep in mind, including the mode of transportation, the accessibility of accommodations, whether the activities will be appropriate for all members of the family and even special dietary needs.

Planning is key to assuring a fun time will be had by all. You might begin by speaking with others who may be able to share valuable experiences. Parents should consider the purpose of the trip so that expectations can be managed. Is the trip meant as a visit with family and/or friends, an exploration of someplace new, a visit to a familiar vacation destination, or a promise of rest and relaxation? Keep the goals realistic and attainable. With a goal in mind, consider which strategies and planning will likely lead to success.

Review each of the environments the trip will include; car ride or commercial travel (train, bus, airplane), hotel/resort, restaurants, urban or rural destinations. Then consider the following elements and how you will manage them when the time comes: accessibility and necessary accommodations, crowds, delays/lines, intrinsic stimuli associated with environments (sights, sounds, smells, etc…), and availability of medical attention.

Families should evaluate all of their travel options, including the preferred mode of transportation, the size of travel hub – for example a small regional airport versus an international airport -- and whether the family will be traveling at peak times, days or seasons. The following web site can be a useful resource for family travel planning: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm. Include in your planning some tactics to employ if long waits occur, such as portable DVD players, MP3 players, favorite toys, travel games and snacks.

Examine which accommodations are essential to the family’s travel as well as those that might contribute to a more successful trip. It’s essential to call ahead to confirm that the desired and identified accommodations are available for you on your vacation dates. Many of the most popular family resort destinations have wonderful accommodations for families with special needs, however, availability can be limited.

Upon arrival, explore the surroundings and determine where quieter areas can be found. These can provide a peaceful respite for children and parents, alike.

For families whose children have limited food preferences, cater to them. A vacation may not be the time to experiment with new foods in front of an audience.

Establish a supervision schedule in advance and share responsibilities with other adults in your group, if possible. If you don’t have a spouse who can pitch in, consider bringing along a friend, relative, therapist or respite worker.

Remember to incorporate the crucial objects, schedule, routine, clothes or other items that make a difference to your child. This can help reduce stress created by unfamiliar places and experiences.

Consider everything you have learned from past experiences and reflect on what went well and what did not. Try to identify why some events went poorly and identify strategies in advance of the trip that now that might produce a positive outcome.

Now take these lists of routines, personal items, preferences, foods and other considerations and provide them to the key people you will be sharing the holiday with, so that they have a set of expectations for your visit. This can significantly cut down on the questioning glances and the thoughts that you are being judged.

Before departure, compile a “to-go-packet” of information so that if a last minute opportunity becomes available you are prepared with a list of questions, items to pack, information that should be brought on a trip… the essentials.

Following the trip, make notes of what went well and what did not and consider why. This will help organize your thoughts and hopefully make your next vacation even simpler to plan and more enjoyable for everyone!


Scott L. Barkin, Ph.D., is Executive Director of Block Institute, a Brooklyn, New York educational facility dedicated to serving the needs of children and adults with disabilities. http://www.blockinstitute.org

Family CRAFT Night

Many of us have held Family game nights in our homes, how about a family craft night?

Children love to be creative and what a fun way to spend time together as family building and creating crafts together.

As a little girl I can remember our family deciding to build a miniature doll house and we would spend hours working on our project making real shingles for the roof, cutting out wallpaper and carefully gluing it on the walls, adding in our own creativity. The hours and hours we spent working on this are a wonderful childhood memory of family time spent together for me.

Have fun and connect with your kids with creative activities.

How to host your own family craft night:

1. Decide if you will work on one group project or offer multiple projects or even a free for all.

2. Put a date on the calendar as to when you will have your Family craft night.

3. Make a list of the supplies you will need to purchase or gather from around your house for your family craft night.

4. Let your kids know either that you are planning a craft night or that you have a fun family surprise night you are planning.

5. Shop, Gather and set-up- being prepared is the key to a successful family craft night.

6. Connect as you create - asking your kids opened questions allowing them to talk and share there life with you.

7. Remember this is a family craft night not a mommy make perfect craft night allow them to create in their own way NOT yours.

* NOTE: family craft nights are also the perfect time to make gifts for family, relatives and friends.
Family Craft night Ideas:

Check our these web sites for fun and creative ideas for Family craft night.

- The KNACK -

- Crafters 4 kids

- Crayola

-Styrofoam Crafts

- Family Fun

- DLTK Crafts

- Kaboose

Where do you find fun craft ideas for Family craft nights?

100 Free Things To do With Grandparents

A field guide to more smiles, more fun, more memories

by The Editors of Garndparents.com

Memories of a lifetime are made from the simplest pleasures, ones that don’t necessarily include buying a $50 personalized teddy bear or a $200 video game system. At Grandparents.com, we brainstormed and came up with a list of 100 free things to do with your grandchildren of all ages. You might need some materials — like construction paper, paint, uncooked pasta, or an old shoe box. But, for the most part, these activities are free and provide the little diversions in life that make the bond between you and your grandchildren even stronger.

You can Download your FREE 100 Free Things To Do With Grandparents guide by clicking here and then clicking the Free guide button.

1-50

1. Build a Shoebox Dollhouse	26. Learn Rummy 500
2. Assemble a Pinhole Camera	27. Thumb Wrestle
3. Make a Shoebox Guitar	28. Make Sock Puppets
4. Write a Letter to an Elected Official	29. Play Hot Lava
5. Make Paper Snowflakes	30. Discover Decoupage
6. Play Board Games	31. Have a Staring Contest
7. Make a Mini-Proscenium	32. Make Your Own Puzzle
8. Play Sardines	33. Throw Water Balloons
9. Set Up a Bowling Alley With Bottles	34. Make Paper Bag Puppets
10. Make a Mobile	35. Walk Dogs at a Shelter
11. Invent a Dessert Together	36. Freeze Juice Pops
12. Create a Collage	37. Craft a Pasta Necklace
13. Take a Firehouse Tour	38. Turn Old Jewelry into New Jewelry
14. Teach Them How to Tie a Tie	39. Play Dress Up
15. Play Along With a Game Show	40. Make a Shoebox Diarama
16. Take a Hike	41. Build a Terrarium
17. Make a Craft Stick Box	42. Make Your Own Bubble Bath
18. Practice Shadow Puppets	43. Play Music With a Wine Glass
19. Cut Up Pillowcases for Costumes	44. Publish a Family Newspaper
20. Play Pretend Store	45. Decorate Masks
21. Download an iPod Walking Tour	46. Show Them the Spoon on the Nose Trick
22. Tell Tongue Twisters	47. Use Your Green Thumb
23. Make a Comic Book	48. Come Up With Palindromes
24. Draw a Life-Size Me	49. Go Sledding
25. Visit the Library	50. Take an Alphabet Walk

51 - 100

51. Explore the Secrets of a Dollar Bill	76. Bury Someone in the Sand
52. Personalize Place Mats	77. Put Together a Time Capsule
53. Make a Coaster	78. Make Your Own Stickers
54. Make Noisemakers	79. Celebrate Backward Day
55. Play Two Truths and One Lie	80. Listen to Vinyl Records
56. Play Croquet in the Backyard	81. Get Manicures and Pedicures
57. Create Your Own Colored Clay	82. Do Some Leaf Rubbing
58. Make Water in the Desert	83. Make a Dandelion Necklace
59. Make a Battery Out of a Potato	84. Redesign Your Fridge
60. Play Marco Polo	85. Play Statues
61. Cook With Only What You Have	86. Sing a Song Together
62. Work With Tools	87. Take Photos
63. Craft a Bird Feeder	88. Have a Dizzy Bat Race
64. Play Rock, Paper, Scissors	89. Make a Mentos Soda Explosion
65. Play Simon Says	90. Erupt a Vinegar Volcano
66. Catch Fireflies	91. Play Hangman
67. Play a Game of H-O-R-S-E	92. Throw a Dance Party
68. Capture the Flag	93. Start a Puzzle
69. Play Red-Light, Green-Light	94. Build Cushion Forts
70. Write Your Own Quizzes	95. Make Cardboard Box Forts
71. Swap Skills	96. Have a Sunday Sundae Party
72. Stand an Egg on Its End	97. Try Your Hand at 'Snow Dots'
73. Play "Exquisite Corpse"	98. Throw a Fudge Party
74. Go on a Scavenger Hunt	99. Make Snow Angels
75. Create a Story That Goes and Goes	100. Tell Jokes

Stop by www.grandparents.com for more great ides, tips and resources.

The Sandwich Generation Are you feeling the squeeze?

by: Susan Fox

24/7 MOMS Family Living Editor

The “sandwich generation” A new term, actually found in the dictionary.

The day has come in my life where I am what they call “sandwiched”. Sandwiched, as a mom/wife, between my own family (husband and 3 school-aged children) and caring for my baby-boomer aging and ailing parents. I am definitely like a filling; spread too thin; in keeping with this “sandwich theme.” I had heard about this sort of situation, but had thought that is was still a ways out in my future. However that time has come in my life and I am living it. I was not entirely surprised by it, but I was not prepared.

3 years ago my father was diagnosed with emphysema and had a lung surgery. It was no picnic. 14 days in the hospital and about a 3 month recovery with many bumps in the road. 2 1/2 yrs. ago He moved in with us. I did not realize how drastically this would affect me. I had been concerned about how it would affect my husband and children but did not think it would be a hard transition for me. Boy was I in for a shock. Even though I have always had a pretty positive relationship with my father, this was and continues to be extremely difficult.

In the past 9 months both parents have had health issues. My mother, who lives over 2 hours away, has had 2 major surgeries, with the worst the week before Christmas. My father had open heart surgery in January. Can you say “stressed out?” Even my children have begun to use this phrase to describe how they feel. Yesterday was my first time out of the house in 3 weeks aside from going to the hospital, doctor or grocery store. My days are filled with the many chores involved in being a caretaker as well has having a regular entourage of home health care professionals coming to our home on a regular basis. I won’t bore you with all the details. If you have been or are there you know. If you don’t chances are at some point you will.

According to the Pew Research Center, Americans are living longer, and people are starting their families later. One out of every eight Americans, ages 40 to 60, is raising a child and caring for a parent at home. Being in this situation is a tangled up mess of emotions, finances, responsibilities and needs. It is like walking a tight-rope especially for the person taking on the major role as caregiver. This is usually the wife/the mom. In the best scenario’s chores are spread among siblings but this is often not the case due to demographics, personal finances, difficult relationships, work and other responsibilities. If it is possible at all for you to talk with your family members about all of this ahead of a crisis I urge you to do so.

The modern caregiver scenario is not pretty. We are not talking like “the Walton’s” here, with grandma, helping in kitchen peeling potatoes for hours on end and grandpa out in the barn choppin’ some wood. The way we live has changed. Caring for a sick and or aging parent is very hard, whether they live with you or 500 miles away. This is not the same America anymore. This is the America of broken families, strained relationships and job-insecurity and many other complexities that families of past generations didn’t have to contend with.

As I have walked through this new phase in my life, I have reflected a lot on the past. But I have also been forced to look down the road and into my own mortality. Americans in general are not really a healthy bunch anymore. We have more health issues that have been brought on by tobacco use, obesity, lack of exercise and all other manner of unhealthy living. And it is all coming back to bite us, and we all pay the price.

I have a new sense of wanting to be physically fit and a new desire and reason to eat healthier. I have also been guilty of being the wife who complains when her husband wants to go out on one of his beloved long bike rides, which means that I get left alone with our 3 demanding children for a weekend afternoon. I am now a new fan of his bike rides. If it keeps his heart healthy, bike away!

Here are few great resources for you to check out that may be helpful if you are “Sandwiched”

www.sandwichgeneration.com

www.caregiver.org

eldercare.gov

medicare.gov

workingcaregiver.com

familycaregiving101.org

Ten in 2010 For Families

There is still time to make your New Years resolutions - Make a difference in 2010 with ten resolutions that will make a difference in our families lives.

Ten Resolutions For Parents

from: (families-first.org)



1. Come together for a family meal as many times a week as possible. Let the answering machine do its job and make sure the TV is off.



2. Notice the small steps and the good efforts your child makes. Don’t overvalue the final product, which can serve to discourage a child from trying.



3. Apply this same generous attitude toward yourself and other family members.



4. Avoid asking too many questions. Questions often make children feel quizzed, attacked and/or invaded. Make statements and observations instead.



5. Listen carefully to your children. Try to understand where they are coming from – what are their wishes and concerns – and how it is that they see a situation.



6. Be clear in your own mind what your expectations are. Then let children know clearly and calmly, in advance whenever possible, what these expectations are.



7. Promote laughter with your child. Have fun and good times in the family. Cultivate your own sense of humor.



8. Pay attention to each other. FOCUS. Listen with both ears and let your children know when you can’t listen or pay attention to them.



9. Beware of over scheduling and filling every minute with “productive” activity. Create blocks of time for just hanging out and being there. These are the times that children will remember with fondness.



10. Make time for the things that give YOU pleasure – that nurture and nourish you mentally, physically and emotionally. Your well-being is crucial to your family.

The Elusive Perfect Family

By Susan Fox

I dreamed of it, I strived for it, the perfect family. But it is ever unattainable. I’ve read books about them, watched movies and television shows about them. I have hoped and prayed that my own family could emulate them. Alas, I am sadly delusional. Where does this perfect family exist? Who are they? I think of the great families that lived in my TV set when I was a kid, The Cleavers, The Walton’s, the Ingalls, the Huxtables, the Flintstones, the Jetson’s, and the Cunningham’s. Even though I have great memories of these families, I find that sadly they too were flawed. June Cleaver cleans her house in high-heels and pearls, really, seriously?? June Jetson never had to cook a real meal, she had some super-duper thawer-microwave of the future, and poor Charles and Caroline Ingalls had to work themselves into exhaustion just to keep food on the family table only to be ridiculed by those nasty Olson’s. The Cunningham’s took in a wayward teen and you don’t think that added stress to a marriage? Well maybe you get the idea. Even they just were not perfect.

I think about all of the total dysfunctionalism of my own disappointing family and it can be downright depressing. But I try to look at the humor in it. Like the Dutch uncle who showed the pictures he had taken on the nude beach in Holland to our church minister who came to dinner one time. There is my Aunt, whose heart is literally on the wrong side of her chest. How about my sister who is my total opposite, and has done things like slept in a San Francisco park to attend the Free Tibet Festival, not that there is anything wrong with that! Just sayin’- total opposite! I’m thinking of the alcoholic uncle who I thought owned a bowling alley when I was a kid. I thought he was so cool…turns out he was not so cool. He was the cook in the snack bar.

I’m just saying that I like you do not have the perfect family. I am relieved that the older I get the more I find out there are a lot more people out there just like me. They have weird families too! I try not to get hung up on it. We are all flawed. The point is to do your best. Love one another despite the flaws. That is what family does. You don’t have to pretend to be perfect, because we all know that we are not.

PS - I forgot to mention the family member who talks to animals, yeah, not just the family dog, but to snakes and birds and…..Weird, I’m talking weird!!!

The Family: We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.

George F. Burns quotes

Family Cabin Fever Activities

from: preschoolers.about.com:

Everybody Loves a Parade! It's time to celebrate! And it doesn't matter what. Pull out the dress-up gear, whether it's old Halloween costumes, too-big clothing from mom and dad's closet or even silly hats and scarves and march around the house, banging pots and pans, waving flags and pulling dolls and toys in a wagon. Anything can serve as an accessory -- wooden spoons, feather dusters, even cans filled with coins or beans. Get everyone involved -- younger and older siblings and even pets for a day of fun.


Animal Antics: This one will put to use your child's large stuffed animal collection. Gather up as many animals as you can and put them in a large bag or pillowcase. As your hide your eyes, let your preschooler pull out an animal and then put it back. See if you can guess which animal she chose as she acts out what it is. Take turns. If you don't have a lot of stuffed animals, just let her choose in her head, or, draw or cut out pictures of animals on cards and take turns choosing from the deck.

Fishing for Fun
This one requires a little advance planning. Cut fish shapes out of cardboard or sturdy paper and attach a paper clip to each one. On each fish, write a different activity, for example: "5 Jumping Jacks" "Jog in Place" "Touch Your Toes" or "Skip in a Circle". Place the fish in a large bowl or in a cornered off area on the floor. This is your "pond."

Take a long pole (a yardstick will do) and tie a string with a magnet attached to the end. Let your child "go fishing." Let her complete each activity as she reels in her catch.

Time for a Treasure Hunt
Again, you'll need to plan a little bit in advance for this activity. Gather together a bunch of small trinkets, new or old like cars, books, snacks and stickers and hide them in different places all around the house. Draw up a map so your preschooler knows where to look. Include fun instructions like "Take 5 backwards steps through the kitchen" or "Look in the place where you keep things you put on your feet" (read to her or draw pictures if she can't read yet). Let the final instruction lead her to a prize -- maybe a special snack or the couch where you can cuddle and read a book together.

from: FamilyFun.com:

Slam Dunk: Once your tot has mastered rolling a ball, set out a large basket and let her take a shot at throwing the ball into it. (Ages 15 months and up)

Two-in-One Fun: Give your child a small ball and two instructions: where to put it, and what to do while she's holding it there. You might tell her to put the ball under her chin and spin in a circle or to try walking with the ball between her knees. The goal is to follow your directions without dropping the ball. (Ages 2 years and up)

from : forums.parenting.com:

Obstacle Course. Be creative! Jump over the bean bag, run around the book on the floor four times (counting practice!), hop on one foot toward the couch while singing the ABCs, walk backwards over to the fireplace, then crab walk back to the kitchen, etc. Your directions can be called out while nursing a baby or folding laundry.

Celebrate Family Day

A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children: Monday, September 28 2009

A national movement championed by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA). Their goal is to encourage families to make a tradition of eating together, which statistics have shown reduces the likelihood their children will become involved with drugs.

http://casafamilyday.org/familyday/ is the place you can take the “Star Pledge”. Star’s acronym is:

S- Spend time with my kids by having dinner together

T- Talk to them about their friends, interests and the dangers of drugs and alcohol

A- Answer their questions and listen to what they say

R- Recognize that I have the power to help keep my kids substance free!

CASA’s website also offers talking points, tools and best of all, a free Family Dinner Kit. Download free placemat designs, word games, conversation starters, recipes and more!

Source: CASA

The Power of Family Meals;

Found at http://www.poweroffamilymeals.com/default.aspx

The J.M. Smucker Company sponsors a wonderful website full of ideas for making your family meals great. It’s not just about recipes; it’s timely inspiration and tools as well. A free monthly email offers you new ideas and input from families just like yours.

Check out the “Why Mealtime Matters” page and you’ll find answers to some of your mealtime challenges (scheduling, communication, and distractions). Miriam Weinstein Author of The Surprising Power of Family Meals writes “Miriam’s Blog” where she discusses new meal ideas. “Miriam’s Articles”, an online archive, highlight special times of the year. Special sections devoted to holidays and special occasions, will give you new ideas for family traditions. “Meals and Menus” helps you create a meal-ready pantry, a meal plan, and tons of recipes.

Miriam Weinstein is quoted on the website, the theme of these quotes aptly describe all that The Power of Family Meals, the website, will equip you to accomplish:

“It’s not about being fancy or fashionable, it’s about family.”

And:

“When families prepare meals together, kids learn real-life skills. They assume responsibility, they become better team members.”

Source: ThePowerofFamilyMeals.com; J.M. Smucker Company

Top 10 Must Reads for Intentional Families

By Nancy Peterson and Trisha Novotny

24/7 MOMS top reads for 2009 on creating intentional families.
(not in any particular order - just our 10 favorites)


1) Home Court Advantage by Kevin Leman
-connecting at home and why.







2) The Most Important Place on Earth by Robert Wolgemuth
-how to build a strong home.






3) The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni
-read as a fable, “how to” create a purposeful family using business technique.







4) First Things First by Kurt and Brenda Warner
-told from their view how to build strong families.






5) The Duggars: 20 and Counting by Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar
-if you like the show then you’ll love this book, otherwise you will like getting practical ideas for running a home.




6) The 7 habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen Covey
-the how to when it comes to creating strong bonded families.





7) Are We Having Fun Yet? The 16 Secrets of Happy Parenting by Kay Willis and Maryann Brinkley
-snapshots of various home building ideas from a real mom of 10.




8) How To keep Your kids on your team by Charles Stanley.
- create strong parent child relationships , with your hands-on presence in parenting.





9) The 10 Commandments of Parenting by Ed Young.
-the Do's and Dont's of Raising Great Kids.






10) Bible- got to have a foundation if the other books are going to matter.

10 TIPS for Celebrating the End of the School Year

Why not kick off the summer with FUN? 10 TIPS to help you be the COOL summer mom.


1. Bus Stop Celebrations
Greet with a balloon
Greet with a Popsicle
Create a large banner and allow kids to run through sign.

2. Mom and Me
Take your daughters for Pedicures
Take kids out for ice cream either right after school or dinner
Go shopping for swim suits or even flip flops/sandals
Go out for a movie, or putt putt golf
SURPRISE – treat them each year to a fun “school’s out” activity. Give them clues before leaving home. (I.E.-Movie, putt golf, local activity part, laser tag, Chuckie Cheese) Change up each year for an added surprise, invite friends.

3. Kick off the Summer Party
Host a neighborhood or friend party (send out summer themed invites such as on beach balls or message in a bottle)
Water gun fight and balloons
Rent a jumpy house and serve simple food
Outdoor treasure hunt
Musical beach blankets
Limbo
Watermelon eating contest'


4. Give “Celebration” Gifts (stuff you will buy anyways)
Reusable water bottle for summer
Flip flops
Sunglasses, sunscreen or lipstick with spf 15 or higher
Gift card to McDonalds or bookstore
Spa kits for DIY night ( Do It Yourself)
Bubbles for younger ones or sidewalk chalk.

5. Picnic Celebration
Have a picnic at your kids’ school on the play grounds
Picnic at local park
If all else fails –picnic in the backyard

6. HOME SWEET HOME
Have graduation theme music playing when they arrive home
Make a sign that says welcome home (grader); put the grade they will be entering in the fall
Family MOVIE night- bring TV outside and have a home “drive in”
Sleepover outside under the stars.


7. Summer Reading Fun
Take kids to library check out books for free
Go to half price books or thrift store to purchase used books
Take kids to local bookstore and purchase a NEW summer reading book
Don’t forget magazines, comic books or crossword puzzles for FUN reads.

8. Special Eats/Treats
Special Breakfast in the AM smoothies etc
Make homemade ice cream or Popsicles
Eat “grad hats”- mini peanut butter cup, top with chocolate graham cracker and add fruit leather as tassel
Make favorite summer lunch/dinner (hot dogs, hamburgers and s’mores)
Special dinner - decorate table (celebration style) and serve special dessert
Serve chocolate dipped strawberries, fresh fruit salad or fruit kabobs
Bake favorite cookies and serve fresh out of the oven.

9. Backyard Surprise
Create SPA experience, lounge chairs, water with lemons
Set up badminton, crochet or other favorite outdoor game
Set up slip and slide, squirt guns or water experience
Decorate party style with balloons, streamers and cake
Reorganize the backyard with new outdoor toys (check thrift stores).

10. Morning After- celebrate the first day off from school
PJ day- stay in jammies all day
Eat sugary cereal
Throw or put away all items that resemble school (papers, lunch boxes, school clothes)
Go out for a morning breakfast or brunch
Drag out summer clothes
Rearrange bedroom- give it a new feel
Celebrate “extended bedtime” (I.E. move bedtime 15 mins. to 1 hour).


These Tips are from the 24/7 MOMS Live weekly TIP TALK

What are you doing to celebrate the end of the school year with your children? Share your ideas with us.