How do we get through the last bit of the school year?  Spring Break is over, and there are no days off until the year is over. The phone is not the only way we can entertain our kids each day.  

In this day in age, choosing to do things that were once the norm take more energy, but they will make us feel better.

The following are a few ideas to help us all get through …

 Walk!

If there is a trail you can go on even better, but any walk will do.  Don’t overwhelm yourself. If all you can do is walk around the block, look for all the distractions: the ladybug or Roly poly on the sidewalk, the dandelions (pick them and blow the seeds away), if you’re really adventurous, take a paint brush with you and a bottle of water. 

Have the kids paint a picture or their name on the sidewalk or rock.  For the older ones, look at the different leaves on the plants, talk about the shade or sun’s effect on the area you’re passing, breathe and talk about how it makes you feel, listen to the birds.

Cook!

Tell yourself that the recipe may not turn out as planned but it is the activity that counts. Brownies, cake, a snack. Let them choose what they would like to make.  If it ends up being tasty, ask them if they would like to share some with a friend.

Ask them how they would like to pack it up.  Let them do it. (This may be the hardest part!) Deliver it together.

Read!

Read out loud.  Let them choose the item they want to read and who reads it.  A book, directions, news? Use your voice.  Make voices up.  Make it sound interesting. They will remember it and will want to do it again.

Sing!

Ask them their favorite song.  Turn it on. Sing together.  Loudly!  Disney tunes are a good place to start. Akuna matata!

Act!

Play charades. Have each kid come up with a few things to act out.  You act out their ideas, and they act out yours. It should be a hoot!

Good luck! 

*To read more of Laura’s writing, visit her M:M Author Page.