Summer Suggestions:

The end of the school season is fast approaching. Are your thoughts about what to do for the summer with the kids stressing you out? Don’t let them. First, remember that kids like some structure, therefore, in the summer have some daily routines or schedules to stay on task.
For example, give your children a “To Do” list. This way, before jumping into the day, start off by having some morning routines. Create a list. Discuss them with your kids and display the list so it’s a visual reminder. This way, before they come tugging at your shorts, you can ask them, “Have you finished your tasks? Don’t go overboard, be realistic about them.  Here are some ideas to start with:

1. Put the breakfast dishes in the sink
2. Take out the trash
3. Sweep the floor
4. Help prepare snacks and dinner
5. Pick up your room
6. Put laundry away
7. Empty bathroom and bedroom garbage
8. Take care of the family pet
9. Organize play room
10. Choose bedtime books, lay out pajamas

If your child is to young for some of these chores, tweak them. Get them involved in the morning routines that will start off each day. If your children are older and can help out on a higher level, again, get them involved. When your day is off to a good start, everyone is more likely to enjoy the day and there is less stress to be had.

A chore chart is a great way to keep track of the daily routines at home. Remember to involve the kids in this. Kind of know what they are able to do ahead of time and create a nice visual reminder to start the day. Hopefully this lessens time in front of the television, computer or other technology devices and encourages them to help around the home they live in. Be sure to throw in some rainy day fun, where they can then do the above mentioned. On the dog days of summer however, let's enjoy the sun and outdoor activities as much as possible.

There is nothing more fun than a reward for the good work you've done! Here are some simple thoughts:
1. Go out for ice cream
2. Get  new art supplies
3. Pick out the Family Game for game night
4. Get new pool or beach toys
5. Spend extra time with mom or dad
Nobody knows your child better than you, give them some incentive for doing their chores all week. Make Summer less stressful with different ideas.We always had a 'to-go' bag ready for those spur of the moments. This way, you may make more memories with your kids! How about having a theme for the week or for the day?
1. First week of summer, name it:
a. Summer Splash,  Water Fun or something splashy!
Fill a basket, tote or large container with fun outdoor splash toys, water guns, balloons, sprinklers,
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TOTES TO THE RESCUE!

 1. Purchase some large totes, you can always fill along the way. If you can find different colored totes, they're a fun visual, if not, label them accordingly and fill appropriately. The clear ones give you an idea of what's in store! Share with the family where you're going to keep these totes so that they can add to them as well. I suggest the following which will keep their minds and bodies in shape this summer and give you some peace as well:
A. Make an ART Tote:
​Fill with kids art supplies,  fun  playdough products , perhaps chalks, paints, brushes for the sidewalk art other fun supplies.

B. Make a Science Tote:
Fill with magnetics,  science kits for kids, LEGO chain reaction kits, science lab equipment, a microscope for all those creepy crawlers they'll find outdoors!

C. Don't BUG me Tote:
Fill this with outdoor fun, a butterfly garden, a bug catcher habitat kit,  an insect bug adventure kit, a critter barn for all those great bug finds,  and some handy wipes to get those germs off before coming inside! 

D. A Fun Day Tote:
Fill this with simple fun things, like bubbles, jump ropes, kites, kids games,  and BALLS, football, soccer ball, basketball, baseball and a first aid kit, too! 

E. A Literacy Tote:
Fill this tote with Books for kids, writing stations for imaginations,  writing pads, writing journals,
​writing tools for kids, too.  Have some fun, add some notes in their journals to spark their imaginations, for example, "What would you do with a dinosaur"? or, "Where would you go if you could fly"? etc. Let their imaginations soar and build their vocabulary and communication skills.

F. A Tote of Character:
Fill this tote with an assortment of character building books from Characters of Character. Choose from Behavior Bear, Let's Behave, Do'er Duck, Let's Persevere, Friendship Frog, Let's Be Friends, Healthy Hippo, Let's Be Healthy, Shape Up With Healthy Hippo, Manners Monkey, Let's Have Manners, Respectful Rabbit, Let's Be Respectful, Responsible Rabbit, Let's Be Responsible, Self-Esteem Elephant, Let's Be Proud and Warm-Hearted Walrus,  . Also, a Super Hero Activity Book, A Planting Journal, Social stories of all the characters, a Paper Bag Puppet Book, I have Character Activity Book, I am the author of all these books, my name is Joni Downey, I'm the creator of Characters of Character.  Please share us, contact us and share pictures of your children and their good character this summer. Fill this tote with writing papers so they can write about their character, too.