Not for nothing, but I am not a big fan of parents who complain about having to deal with their kids now that school is out for the summer.
Granted, I have a fairly flexible work schedule and I don’t have to contend with four kids fighting like rats in a sack. Still, even if I had to work 9-5 from home and had six kids, I wouldn’t kvetch about going crazy because my kids are home all day interfering with my regular schedule because… it’s not their fault.
If you really, really can’t stand having your kids at home all summer, then sign them up for camp or other activities. Or, consider penciling in some time to have fun with them.
Personally, I love summer. When my kid is not in school I don’t have to worry about ironing school uniforms, nagging about unfinished homework and figuring out which form needs to be returned by which date.
Summer rolls around at the same time each year, so why not embrace it as wholeheartedly as your child?
If you are looking for a way to have a little fun with your son or daughter this week, then consider making some Fourth of July firework shirts. My daughter and I made them last year before Independence Day and they turned out remarkably well. The patriotic project is cheap, easy and yields fun times for kids and parents alike:
FIREWORKS T-SHIRT
Materials:
Plain red, white or blue t-shirt
Newspaper
Glitter fabric paint
Pipe cleaners
Paper plates
Directions:
Place a few sheets of newspaper inside the shirt and spread out the shirt on a flat surface.
Pour a liberal amount of glitter fabric paint onto paper plates.
Bend the pipe cleaners into firework patterns by crimping the ends together.
Dip the pipe cleaners into the glitter paint and stamp the shirts with the fireworks patterns.
Allow the shirts to dry completely before wearing.
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