The Artist's Eyes by Jenn Lee

Here we are at the end of another school year. Off in the distance I can hear my children singing a song that, by far, preceeds them, Alice Cooper’s Schools Out. No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers dirty looks….

With a week left of school counting down, it is quickly turning into a race to figure out my plan of attack for the summer. How do I plan to run a home business and keep my nine and eleven year old educationally stimulated as well as busied with their own itinerary for three whole months of summer?

All across the states the summertime clock is counting down getting ready to release all of our school aged children like the infamous Omaha Landing….I believe even General Colin Powell would find planning this offensive attack plan…a challenge.

Alright, I admit it, I am being a little melodramatic lol. My children truly are wonderful kids. They also deserve a well earned break from their educations for the summer. Even so though, keeping them busy is good for them as well as myself as I balance work with play.

Motivated by the desire to actually get some work done, I do have a plan of attack to beat the summertime restlessness of the natives. When thinking of things to occupy some time, I like to think of things that challenge my kids as well as their minds. Here is a list of a few ideas that maybe will help you along your way with your natives….

• Library: Do a book project with the kiddos. Sure they are probably going to groan at the idea of being asked to read a book, let alone touch one. Figure out a topic that interests them and then create a project with it. Remember those dioramas you did as a kid? It’s a fun and inexpensive project that can challenge them mentally as well as creatively.
• Arts & Crafts: The library is also a great place for finding arts & crafts books as well as the internet or local book stores. Investigate books or internet searches for fun, easy and inexpensive projects for your kids to do. There are a ton of ideas you can find that require little to no supervision for children of all ages.
  
• Educational Challenges: This is a fun activity that my fiance gets credit for. He being a history buff, loves anything history related. He created these fun challenges for the kids that required them to use every resource available to them except asking for the answers. The reward…a small treat from candy to little toy item. Most of his challenges keep the kids busy for an hour or longer.
• Culinary Fun: This can be a little tricky as far as age appropriated cooking projects. My kids are nine and eleven so they are at an age that allows for a little less supervision for most of the cooking projects. There are a multitude of books available for all ages. Again, you can check with your local library, book stores, if not the internet for these.
• Outdoor activities: From backyard camping to gardening for kids, there are tons of ideas you can find for kids to do outdoors. We have our garden and the kids have gardening projects of their own. Being responsible for growing their own garden teaches responsibility as well as creates a sense of pride in their own garden. Eating the rewards is a reward of its own. Creating a space for them to set up a tent and make their own private campground is also a fun idea. You will be amazed at the amount of time they will spend out in their campground picnicking or just playing.
  
• Chores: Yes I know…getting kids to do chores is a chore upon itself. If you think outside the box though, you can get kids active in voluntarily doing chores. As a parent I am sure many of you have heard of, tried the “chore list”. Get creative by giving initiatives…rewards or time challenges. Does the bathroom need cleaned? Does the living-room look like the natives went crazy? Did Betty Crocker sneak in and rearrange your kitchen? Play a game with the kids…What would it be like if you were blind? Blindfold them and ask them to clean blindfolded, (Yes it probably won’t get cleaned well, but a reward comes with the best job done). What would it be like if you only had one arm? (Again a challenge but I know you will hear giggles as they try doing this). What would it be like if you had one leg? (Sure, if you have a two story house like ours, you will have to endure the hop hop hop of hopping kids). On your mark, get set, go! Challenge them to clean a room faster than a sibling. (Sure this is one of the hardest challenges to get done even with a reward, but hey…it’s a start). I have to say when they know any reward is coming, no matter how small, they will attempt to do most anything!

Creating ways to keep the natives restless and busy while you work from home is no small task by far, but with a little creativity it can be done and the natives will thank you if by nothing else…allowing you time to focus on work…this is an art…in this artist’s eyes.