Everyday Baby Steps

It’s the middle of summer and with the rising price of everything, money’s tight for most of us right now.  If you’re a stay-at-home mom, a work-at-home mom, or any parent at home with your school-aged kids this summer, you may be yanking your hair out by the fistful by now.  If you are, stop, take a deep breath, and read on to find no-cost ways to keep your kids happy while you keep your sanity.  Here’s a list of some things to do without even leaving the house.  Okay, you might actually have to go out in the yard or walk around the block.  Deep breath, you can do it!

1. Bubbles.  The old stand-by.  Kids love ‘em, and if you don’t have a bottle of bubbles around the house (but who doesn’t?), you can make your own by diluting dish soap.
2. Crafts.  You can find great crafts on the internet or pick up a book or two at your local library.
3. Go for a walk.  Put on the sneakers and head out for a stroll around the neighborhood.  It’s good exercise, and your elderly neighbors will be thrilled to see the children.
4. Eat dinner outside for a change.  Make it something simple like deli sandwiches or hot dogs.  Easy and fun.  Use paper plates to make it even easier.
5. Squirt gun battle!  Who needs to pay $20 to go to the pool when you can run around in the yard, shooting each other with water for free? And catch some rays while you’re at it.
6. Movie night.  Pick a night when no one has to get up early the next morning, find a movie on TV or a video you already own, and camp out in the living room.  Stay up late.  The kids will think they’re getting away with something, and you’ll get some laid back bonding time with them.
7. Play school.  You can take notes, pay bills, or work on your laptop while they color or do worksheets.  Find free printables at www.schoolexpress.com , www.abcteach.com, or www.freeprintablecoloringpages.net. 
8. Exercise.  Pull out your favorite exercise video and ask the kids to join in.  You’ll be killing two birds with one stone.  Get your workout in and ensure that your rugrats sleep well that night.
9. Art time.  Let them go nuts with construction paper, scissors, and glue.  Throw in paper plates, brown bags, and coffee filters, and you’ve really got a party!
10. TV.  Come on, we all do it.  Sometimes we just have to.  Tell them to sit and watch a program or two while you do some work, and then you’ll go do one of the other fun things on this list with them!

 Going out is fun, but let’s not forget that filling up the gas tank is the equivalent of a trip to the salon for a mani and pedi or some really great highlights.  Let’s get our priorities straight here, folks!  Use this list as a jumpstart to shaking up your routine a bit and helping you make it through the rest of summer without losing your mind.

By the way, this post will soon appear on a forum for moms, called Mommy Matter.  Check out this fun site at www.mommymatter.com!