PLANNING FOR SUMMER SURVIVAL:

I recently wrote an article that has appeared both locally and in QC Family Focus Magazine about "Mom's Summer Survival Plan". I thought I did an excellent job of appearing as the "expert" on the topic.

I should probably come clean right here and now and say that the only thing that really qualified me to write the article in the first place is that I am a)a mother. b)i have survived a few summers. and c)by the word "survive", I really mean that I lived to tell about it.

If you want to get off to a good start this summer break, start planning now. Talk to your kids about what it is they want to do this summer. Actually sit down and throw out all of the ideas that everyone has. I realize that many things the kids WANT to do may not match up with what your family is ABLE to do. But right now, that's okay. There's no wrong answers to this planning session. Maybe one of the ideas is that the kids want to go to disney world. And you know that isn't possible. No big deal. This isn't about deciding what you will do as much as it is about what everyone wants to do. Just be sure to get about a zillion ideas out there.

Also get the kids thinking about having some personal "goals" for the summer. Be sure to include a physical goal, mental goal and spiritual goal. We call these "super-summer-challenges". Down the road, you'll see how these goals will come to serve a multi-purpose. Last year Marisa's goals were to work on softball, learn the 50 states, and learn the 10 commandments. This year Nathan has goals to golf 2 times a week, read a certain book(that has been sitting on his shelf) and each day pray for a different family member or friend.
I think it is important to be very specific about these goals. You can't just say "to read more" or "to pray more". It's too easy to back off if your goals aren't specific enough.

And mom....don't forget to set some goals for yourself!

Next "tip tuesday" I'll talk more about planning and getting ready for summer.