NANA SAYS YEAH BACK TO SCHOOL

The majority of mother and fathers too are not disappointed school starts next week. 9 weeks of summer vacation is long and often challenging keeping the children busy.
Children do need routines just like adults. Too much idle time only brings idle activities. Yes it is important to know how to use one's time well. Learning how to use hobbies and activities to bring joy to life is lifelong. As a child, I loved to read which has passed over to my life.
Getting children back to lessons and sports and school activities works too.
The last week I have heard so many parents that can not wait for school to start. Even with lunches and homework and the very busy morning routines parents seem to be ready. The children may not be ready!!

NANA READJUSTING AFTER MARCH BREAK TAKES PLANNING

Children like routines as much as parents. Being back at school to talk about all the vacation adventures can be fodder for stories, art and good discussion. So why not have the little ones do their own journal or story at home. Use pictures taken to add depth to the stories. Photobooks are fun. But even some print pictures with the information written will be a way to create memories. With the change in weather, sorting through clothes for warm Spring clothes until real warm weather arrives. For those that have done it yet, getting ready for the summer months of camps and other adventures starts now. Spring can be busier than Christmas planning for most parents with all the change. Hockey ends and soccer starts. Dance competitions abound. So take a deep breath and methodically plan for the next few months.

NANA SAYS SUMMER IS COMING-ARE YOU READY?

With summer quickly approaching, parents have been busy with the June activities as well as gearing up for plans for the children. Being ahead of children's laments- I'm bored, there is nothing to do- can be challenging over the next couple of months. Time to accommodate skills like taking little ones to the beach or pool to practice swimming skills. Family bike rides. If lucky to be camping or at a cottage or lodge- time to learn that great Canadian skill- canoeing. Or rowing a boat! Water skiing can be the new skill acquired in the summer. Setting some goals for children with a reward at the end. Sounds a little like a bribe- well if it works use it. The old fashioned summer reading programme. Set an appropriate limit. "If you read 5 books then you get the reward the end of August!" A pretty summer journal to write down activities, thoughts, doodles etc can be fun for children. Especially on long car rides. I use a hard cover journal book, keeping it on my lap to record ideas, names of places, things I see on my road trips or even day trips. A large pen or pencil for children so they can write big on the pages works. What skill are you teaching-observation? Oh yes they could be glued to their favourite gadget and avoid looking out the window, but as parents it could be encouraged to use some opportunities to look and form some ideas and opinions outside of social media! I was discussing with one of my daughters about how unenjoyable summer was when they were little for the various reasons discussed. The pressure of the cost for camp, classes, taking vacation to be with my kids- two months or 8 or 9 weeks is a long time to try to keep children occupied and safe. I did buy summer activity books too that were fun to do with them. Use walks and picnics as a time to use natural items. Even on my walks home from work I have been collecting some nice size pine cones to use for summer crafts with the grandchildren. If not used they can be put in the barbecue fireplace in the Fall or saved for Christmas. Routine activities are good. Like every Wednesday you go to the Library to take out some books. Thursday is Ice Cream day- as examples. If home with the children for any period of time- household chores or some gardening to teach the skills of self reliance. Of course if your children are receiving an allowance- a little monetary incentive goes a long way. Have an item they want to purchase or have you purchase but let them save for it with the money from the paid activities. Another lesson-the value of earning money and how difficult it can be. The most important suggestion is to sit back and enjoy the time with your children. Life goes rapidly by and trying to create memories are good. Go to the same things every year and take that changing picture. I have some of my girls at one of my favourite places The Toronto Zoo. The panda picture from the 1980s is precious. I want to go with them now and take another picture with them at the Panda sign. Another favourite annual trip was to Black Creek Pioneer Village. So do the same things over and over each year as favourite family events. Those country fairs or large ones like the Canadian National Exhibition can be annual events. The local Canada Day celebrations are always good and inexpensive for everyone. I remember wanting to take the girls to the Fire works in their teens and they reluctantly came but discovered all their other teenage acquaintances were there- so it was cool to be there. For me remembering the lamenting of boredom does come to mind but I also remember some really good times. Like the time I took my girls- preteen with two friends to a rented cottage on Lake Simcoe and could be Mommy for a week with Adolph coming up midweek and on the weekend. My little rubber inflated row boat  with two people paddling in it was tons of fun. Summer can be a dirty word or a great word for parents. Planning activities that you too will enjoy rather than just tag along will make life more exciting and enjoyable.

EACH DAWN BRINGS A NEW DAY

Early morning is my favourite time of the day. There is such a hope the day will bring something. Praying to the East where the sun rises, giving thanks for the new day. The quiet, the first cup of coffee, watching a news show while dressing and going about those routines to start the day. On weekends and vacation days, power walking at first light.  Sunrise brings beautiful skies. What is your favourite time of the day? Do you take the day in its stride?

TIME-FRIEND OR FOE?

We alll have the same twenty-four hours in a day! But how many times do we hear- " I would do that but I just don't have the time!"

There are time management consultants that help us jam more in our day. Prioritize! Organize! Declutter your life to make time! All great pieces of advice! However, if we really want to do something we will not only find the time but we make the time for it! It is very simple! Routines in our lives help us to get the necessary tasks done- for me- change the bed Saturday and two loads of laundry, Tuesday- garbage roundup, Wednesday-laundry catchup and try to vacuum the main floor twice weekly, etc. There are seasonal tasks like Spring and Fall cleaning. Let's face it those tasks are really boring at times but we do them because they need to be done. Making time for activities we love to do can also become a routine. Like writing a post every day for my Blog! It was very difficult in the beginning as my standards were higher. Now I sit and write every day! Like the ad- just do it! I know that sometimes the posts are better than others. I want to finish some knitting projects. Looking at them does not get them done. Putting them in my hands and knitting one row at a time does! Let's face it- we do not make time for things that we really do not interest us! So don't feel guilty that someone else does an activity more than you! Do we really need to cram more into our lives if we do not want to! What is wrong with living and doing less rather than more! Can we live with a little clutter? Probably! We will clean up if company is coming, won't we? I have written about time previously and used my clock picture. Each clock is different-just like we are! So is time your friend or foe!

A CHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A REST!

Time away from any normal routine sheds some light on life. A week's vacation, a weekend, dinner out or going to a new park for a long walk can give a refreshing new outlook on life. Routines are good as they allow us to get many mundane activities accomplished. But being stuck in a routine stifles creativity and can make life boring! Little changes- like rhubarb-ginger ice cream on a recent road trip! Goat cheese appetizer for part of my dinner! Trying a new farmer's market! Babysitting the grandchildren over dinner rather than first thing on a Saturday morning! What changes have you tried lately? Do you own your routines or they own you?

SPARE THE ROD, SPOIL THE CHILD

Many people have thought this biblical quotation means spanking or hitting your child is okay. I have always believed the rod means discipline. Children need guidance, routines, structure, boundaries and love-which helps them to grow emotionally. The discipline in a home does not have to be strict. Being able to say no when necessary, yes when necessary and to bend the rules sometimes like special occasions allows a child to know he/she is safe. There are many strategies as we all know to keeping order in a home. Children fall into their own routines at a young age. Their sleeping and eating patterns get established individually. Every parent knows when their little one needs to eat or sleep. Bedtime rituals like the bath, the reading of the book while cuddling on the bed gives a strong sense of comfort not just to the child but the adult. When my children no longer wanted storytime, the realization a new phase in their life had started was met with some sadness. Do you have thoughts about discipline? Do you try not to spank? Trying to be patient and not yell takes some much discipline. Do you have it? What are your thoughts?

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY

Or TGIF as we say to our many colleagues on a Friday. For some Friday is just the start of a weekend shift. For most it is the start of our beloved weekends. Why do we all try to put a week's worth of fun into two days? Waking Saturday morning knowing it is the weekend! Of course for the retirees it does not have the same significance anymore! My weekends are spent with grandchildren, trying to catch up with the many household tasks and enjoying my interests. I have learnt to try to spread the mundane things like laundry, mopping floors and decluttering over the week. An hour here and there does feel so burdensome. How do you enjoy the Friday before your weekend? Are you glad it just arrived? Here's to Friday and the opportunity to have a break from our regular work week.