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Keep It Simple

Sometimes as parents we work so hard to make things fun for our children that we over do it. For example, last year when I went to visit my sister for a week we made sure that we had plenty of fun things planned for our children to do. We went to the park and had a picnic lunch. We spent a day at the zoo looking at the animals. Another day we visited a local children’s museum. Where our children participated in a variety of science, art, and reading related activities. The last day we went swimming at a local public pool. By the end of the week we were exhausted and so were our children. We wanted our children to have a memorable week but we had planned so many activities that we were constantly going. Although each activity on its own was fun we put too many things together. There was no time to just relax and enjoy each other’s company.

This year we decided to limit the activities that we did. We realized that our children had just as much fun playing at home together, since they are really close in age, as they did out doing things. In fact staying home was better because it allowed them to interact with each other more than while gazing at animals at the zoo or participating in activities at the children’s museum, not to mention saving us a lot of money.

I was able to visit for a week in June and in August. Both times we planned one day of events and left the rest of the time for our children just to play together. In June we spent a day at Liberty Park riding rides, playing at the park, and wading in the pools. In August we went to Lagoon, an amusement and water-park in Utah. Both times our children had a lot of fun. The events were memorable and not overshadowed by doing a multitude of things in the same week. Our children’s relationships were strengthened as they spent time interacting in make believe play, running around, and jumping on the trampoline.

So if you are planning a get together this summer remember to keep it simple. Children really just enjoy being together and adults do too.

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About Teresa McEntire

Teresa McEntire grew up in Utah the oldest of four children. She currently lives in Kuna, Idaho, near Boise. She and her husband Gene have been married for almost ten years. She has three children Tyler, age six, Alysta, four, and Kelsey, two. She is a stay-at-home mom who loves to scrapbook, read, and of course write. Spending time with her family, including extended family, is a priority. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and currently works with the young women. Teresa has a degree in Elementary Education from Utah State University and taught 6th grade before her son was born. She also ran an own in-home daycare for three years. She currently writes educational materials as well as blogs for Families.com. Although her formal education consisted of a variety of child development classes she has found that nothing teaches you better than the real thing. She is constantly learning as her children grow and enjoys sharing that knowledge with her readers.