There's lots of things kids can do at home
Posted By: Topaz on 2009-06-10
In Reply to: kids and summer activities - economics or ignorance?
all summer that are worthwhile and free. Take them to the library once every week or two and get them reading! Where I lived as a kid it was hot all day, so I read all day and played outside in the evening when it was cooler. It doesn't have to be books, either. It can be magazines, comics, or whatever. Just the 'reading' part is the key. I used to read and re-read old comic books, Life magazines, National Geographics, and books on animals and earth sciences. I also think I read Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn multiple times each during the summer.
Kids can put on a neighborhood circus (and make some cash by charging admission). They can put on a pet show. We used to have pet shows, haunted houses, dog shows, cat shows, talent contests, bike races and foot races, too, and hurdles contests.
With some scrap wood, hammers, nails, etc., (if they're not too small) they can build things. We all had tree houses in just about every large tree in the neighborhood. My friend built a go-cart, and I built a wooden wagon. I also collected rocks, and used that wagon to haul home my latest acquisitions from around the neighborhood. (Much to my mother's dismay... she apparently didn't have the 'rock-gene' that my siblings and I all seem to carry!) Starting collections of any type (even if it's not rocks) can be a fun summer pastime.
Making mud pies and cookies was fun, as was collecging pollywogs and watching them magically turn into frogs.
A job such as painting a fence (a-la Tom Sawyer) can be a messy but fun experience for kids. Or, creating a mural.
Art projects are fun, too. How about giving each kid a journal to write their private thoughts and dreams in? Or, an older child can be taught the basics of cooking or sewing, which will come in handy some day when they're older. You could also teach hand-sewing, beading, embroidery, etc., and let kids make themselves a T-shirt or tank top, shorts, etc. that is work of wearable art.
Or, how about starting a veggie garden for the kids to take care of? They could also be involved in cooking and eating what they grow.
Even though it seems useless, the down-time in the summer, spent just doing NOTHING, isn't as bad as it appears, and when kids don't have every minute booked up for planned activities, they learn to explore what's interesting to them, and amuse themselves.
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There is a site I have bought lots of home made things from
and that is Etsy, have you heard about that one? I bought everything from soaps from the cake soaps to lotion soaps, bought some beautiful bling plates off there, hand decorated coffee cups for Christmas presents, flower pens also for this past Christmas. I love to look thru there. Go there and see what you think.
There are lots of things
Chocolate, greens, and by the way, for fiber sprinkle flaxseed over food- no taste, mix in, you never know its there and I second the recommendation about prunes- cooked, dry, very good source.
Well I figure I can make my own hours & be home when the kids are home (sm)
I worked PT in an office for a while but spent most of my money on childcare in the summer. Full-time in an office was just a nightmare and I felt like I missed a whole year of my children's lives. I want to be in control of my schedule so that's why I'm looking into the cleaning thing. Never thought I would want to do that but live and learn! Some of the most intelligent people alive work as carpenters and similar things because they have learned what's really important in life. Whew....off my soapbox now :-) Good luck to you!
men carry lots of these things
Women get Trichamonas, men don't *get* it - they are just carriers of it and hence both would have to get treated. Men can be and are carriers.........
try googling HPV and you can find out TONS of info on the subject
There are lots of things in the Good Books
Isn't it interesting what we choose to take from them? An abuser will quote *spare the rod and spoil the child* as justification for beating a child to death. Guess he missed *thou shalt not kill* or maybe his priest/minister/rabbi/iman interpreted that commandant as not applying to a crying child or one that has had an *accident*. Guess that's why there are so many religious wars: It's not so much about what Jehovah/God/Allah said as the agenda of the human who interpreted it.
My grandparents swore by it for LOTS of things
xx
Try WD-40. I've used it to remove lots of things.
If you go to the WD40 site, specifically the page "2000 Official Uses for WD-40" below and enter "rubber cement" it does indicate that it works.
Paste the link below into your browser:
http://www.wd40.com/uses-tips/
Here's a cute kids craft site with lots of ideas!
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/
And you are saying to look at things in my home because
I am closing an account? That does not really make too much sense to me, maybe to you?? Did not state why I was closing but why should I check articles in my home?? Do not get the connection.
OP should get custody of kids if things so bad.
x
kids at home
When I began working at home, my children were 7 and 12, and I was also a single ma, but they were old enough to not be watched every single second. At first, I had my computer in my kitchen, then my family room, which the kids were usually in if they were not outside, and I could see my back yard perfectly at either place.
I stopped often, to answer questions, help, make breakfast, lunch, etc., but when I compared my interruptions to the alternative, working at the hospital, my interruptions were worth it, especially during the summer or when they were ill. There is a fine line between letting your children feel that you are not to be bothered during work. You don't want them to ever feel that they cannot come to you with a question or problem. Sure, I remember feeling frustrated and maybe venting when I wish I could have been more patient, and I felt like some days were not near as productive as during the school year when they were in school, but it was worth it to me. Sometimes I even told them not to bother me unless they were bleeding or the house was on fire, but that is not wise.
Most of the time I remained honest with them, telling them that "mommy's gotta finish this report, honey, hold on and when I finish this report, I will talk to you."
I tried to be as proactive as possible, even though I am a huge procrastinator, and I would maybe make sandwiches ahead of time, pack a lunch for them, just like on school days.
I would use my breaks to maybe run them to a friend's house, go pick up a friend or to drop them off at the golf course (of course when they were older and not driving) and then come back home and work, sometimes maybe only an hour until it started raining.
Oh, I should probably tell you though, now they are 19 and 25, and they don't bother me at all anymore......
Do you have kids that were home
from school yesterday? I did and that's why I think today feels like Monday. Although, I haven't had the day you're having. I hope things are better this afternoon. If you have some tea around, try a cup. Sometimes it makes you feel more relaxed. Have a great afternoon!!!
I assumed that all those things you mentioned are obvious dangers with children being home alone nm
nm
Try to be close to schools and to things for kids to do, even once she's
s
Well...I am always nervous about letting my kids do things like that (sm)
But I usually let them do it. However, it would depend on the parents. I mean if the guy reeks of alcohol - how bad? Do you mean he drinks a beer or two on the weekends or is he a drunk? Will he be driving your son in a car or boat? If so, I would not be comfortable with that. I have said no at times if I am uncomfortable for a reason, but I always have to think it through and see if there is real danger or if I am just being me - a worry wart. I would find out if that dad is going, if he will be driving the car, if he will be driving a boat, etc. and make my decision from that.
Kids and money for school things...sm
Here is it is.... January 30th and since January 1st I've been asked by my 16-year-old for:
$90 for a graphing calculator for the calculus class
$85 for school yearbook (and price goes up 2/1 by $15..she didn't tell me any of this until now)
$30 for hoodie for yearbook club
$15 for drama t-shirt for spring production... which she has exactly 2 lines in and will not be on the stage any other time.
Total: $220.
I bought the calculator as it was necessary and I know she'll use it again in college. I've offered to pay half of the yearbook if she'll raise the other half. For the shirts I've told her to raise the money herself. The drama team is also looking to possibly go to New York for a few days to take in shows in May and gosh only knows what that would cost... if it gets approved.
She doesn't work and says if she gets a part-time job then she can't do the drama production as they practice 3 days a week until 8 p.m. .... well hello she has only 2 lines in it and isn't even in any other scenes.
I told her to get a job or start offering to babysit for money. I'm tired of being nickel-and-dimed to death for fru-fru non-essential expenses.... especially since we just spent $700 on car repairs and $250 for surgery on the dog (abscess on foot - she stepped on something at some point and messed herself up) and medical bills are coming in from my husband's numerous medical tests he had in November. I'm not going to pay for her to go to New York either when that would probably take out entire family vacation money for the summer. Once those numbers come in we'll offer to pay a portion of the cost but that's it.
She also insists she wants to go to college out of state, and her dad and I have also told her she has to figure out how to pay for that because we're not going in debt for that when she can get a free education from the lottery in our state by going to a state school. She doesn't do any volunteer work, play sports or have any special talents that would qualify her for scholarships.
I told her that it's time to grow up and realize there is no money tree in our back yard, and I'm not going to bust my butt working extra jobs to buy these things for her.
Funny things your kids said or did that cracked you up
When my dd was around three I was cleaning and had her playing in her playroom. I turned off the vacuum and she was standing there looking up at me very intently. She says "do you wanna play a game mommy?" I dont know, what kind of game? I ask. She responded oh I dont know maybe some Milton Bradleys or Parker Brothers.
Kids at home while you work? How do you (sm)
make sure they know you are "at work" even though you are right there? I have worked at home in the past but had issues with this. Mine are old enough now to be home while I work (10 & 7), but I would love any ideas of how to make sure they respect my work hours. Any ideas?
PA too and our kids were actually sent home early
due to the heat! We were never sent home for that one. Spent the day at the pool with the kids and now it's time to work.
Would you ever kick your kids out of your home?
Are your kids welcome to stay in your home for as long as they like?
My 15 year old asked if we'd ever kick him out or his older brother. I said they'd always have a home with us as long as they follow our rules.
No glad my kids are grown and out of home...
Anyone who thinks their kids are bad - well get this 3 BROTHERS here 10, 12 and 14 charged with crimes related to their breaking and entering and then completely destroying a Headstart school. They threw not only paint and other solvents over the place but also left own bodily fluids such as feces and urine, totally destroying computers, games, floors, the whole building, probably over $100,000 damage. I thank my lucky stars I do not have to even think about putting up with that.
She has 2 wonderful kids whom she home schools
They are ages 13 (boy) and 10 (girl). My sister died at age 27 of cancer and left a husband and 8 yo boy. My sister was also 6 months pregnant when they found the cancer and she lost the little girl after going to MD Anderson and all the treatment, and my sister only lived 6 months.
There is such a concern here because of my having kidney cancer and given 6 months to live, but I have been in remission for 4 years now.
My sister had breast cancer, in remission for 5 years.
I am open to any help anyone has, be it good or bad. Thanks.
Any kids with wife#2 are living at home and being
Kids should not expect to college paid for, so hubby should not pay for college for kids with wife#2 since he did not pay for college for kids with wife #1.
its better to raise kids in a happy divorced home
To all you married moms with kids and hubby at home,
do you ever dream about living by yourself? Not just with no kids, but with no hubby either? I love my family, but when I feel overwhelmed, when life gets too stressful, I can't help but think how peaceful that kind of life would be, with just myself to take care of. Of course I know in my heart that if I was by myself I would be bored and lonely, but right now it sounds really good! It has been one of those days...
Help! Pushy parents think I work from home and can drive their kids etc
I am constantly being asked to watch people's kids because I work from home. The latest is a friend of my son attending the same camp in another town. The friend I will call Scotty. Scotty has two parents. His father works from home as a computer consultant. My friends and I have called Scotty's dad to work on our computers and he never even returns the call or shows up. Scotty's mom recently asked me if I could drive her son home from them because the dad gets busy and doesn't like to leave clients. I told her that I too am working from home and have to minimize my time in the car. Scotty does not live close to us. I feel like a big meanie but they have pushed me before. Last year our kids were not even in the same camp but the mom called and asked if I would drive and pick up her son every day because i live in the same town as the camp. I was like ??? no way.
They used to drop Scotty off at my house on school holidays. They would drop him off at 7 AM and then once the mom called me at 5 PM and said she wanted to get an oil change and asked me if I could keep scotty until 7:30 PM. I said NO and then she came to pick him up earlier but stayed at my house uninvited until 9:30 when I just said I HAVE TO GO TAKE A SHOWER.
Anyone have clever ways to handle these situations?
Grownups-My Cousin Vinnie, older kids - Home Alone One sm
A Christmas Story is our holiday favorite to watch with little kids and we love when the dogs eat the turkey and they have to go out for Chinese! We have the lamp ornament on our tree.
Poll for parents with school aged kids at home...sm
1. What ages are your kids?
2. Do they have their own cell phone?
3. Do they have their own TV and or computer in their room? If so, are there set hours they're allowed to use these:
4. Do they receive an allowance? If so, are they required to do chores to receive this?
As for our house, here's the answers. Kids are 15 and 8. 15-year-old has a cell phone and pays her bill. 15-year-old has a TV. The kids share 1 PC that is where we can see what they're doing on it, and they're limited to no more than an hour a day on it if it's a school day. We do have parental controls in place. They don't receive an allowance but they are aware of a special chores list that they can choose to do extra things around the house to make money. They are required to keep their rooms and bathrooms cleaned, as well as alternate cleaning up the kitchen after dinner.
Staying at home and raising us kids worked for my mother
Hmm. It should be okay with me right? Oh, wait, that puts me in the welfare line which you think everyone takes advantage of.
You don't live in your mother's time. I wish you did, because the internet didn't exist then.
Rainy, cool, dark. Home working with plenty of work. Hubby and kids are sm
picking up toys, taking them to Goodwill. LOVE days like this.
I think once disgust happens, lots of therapy is needed to feel love again. Lots
s
Sounds like my kids...on a school day "we just got home from school!" on a vacation day....sm
But this is our vacation! My husband takes vacation days and leaves town without us...lol! He would never dream of taking a day off to work around the house!
Lots and lots of SKATING ! - sm
Mostly inline street skating, up & down hills, too. Some roller skating and roller-disco. I was doing ice-skating, but can't afford it anymore, plus I prefer to skate outdoors. It works all muscles, is low-impact, fairly quick to learn compared to other sports, like skiing, is a cheap sport, and excellent for keeping balance & reflexes sharp. Most of the people I skate with look & act 10-20 years younger than their chronological ages.
I MAKE the time to skate. I eat my lunch at my desk, but take a break in the late afternoon before it gets dark, to exercise. This can also include a walk or jog around the neighborhood, bike ride into town to go to the market (cheaper than driving), a fast inline skate around town, or dance practice on a local tennis court. Then I work into the evening for as long as it takes to finish up.
I've heard good things and about things about taking prednisone. My mom was on it for SM
for awhile and it made her look so swollen. I sympathize with you.
Buy a home of my own - not a palace, but more of a smallish home on a large piece of land. (nm)
.
Anyone move from a single family home to mobile home? sm
I own and live in a house in a midwest city in a bad neighborhood (wasn't that bad 11 years ago). I spent the day waiting for the plumber to come and jackhammer the foundation (slab house, no basement) to find a leaky pipe that is flooding my DD's bedroom. Last week, it was the electrician with quotes for costly repairs.
In the meantime, I've really been thinking about selling out and moving into a mobile home. Has anyone done this before? Is a mobile home in a decent park less of a hassle than a regular house? I'm so tired of cutting the grass and spending $$ to fix things and tired of old flooring and cabinets, etc., that are just too costly to replace. I'm single with no man to do these things for me and I can't afford a mortgage on a newer house in a good neighborhood. Some of the pictures I've seen of the mobile homes look really nice and modern on the inside.
Any advice and comments appreciated. Thanks!
By trial and error. Lots and LOTS of error!!! -nm
.
Daniel had a home, a very good home...
with someone in my family at one point.
She met her late husband at a club down the freeway from me. It's not a fancy place, like you say.
She does have a real brother though. That was the connection on our part.
I agree, though. It is sad that all this is coming out the way it is. I believe she was a good person...she just had a lot of problems, mainly drugs. What is really sad is that all of this is going to be seen by her daughter one day when she grows up.
It didn't work out due to combining of kids and step kids. nm
*
Home Alone 1, A Christmas Story, Home for the Holidays, Chevy Chase's Christmas, sm
There "The Gift of the Magi," He sells his gold watch to buy her a comb for her hair and she sells her beautiful long hair to buy him a chain for his gold watch. It used to be on "Short Stories by O'Henry" but that's long gone, long ago. Good moral to the story. I can't stand "It's a Wonderful Life" -- too depressing, especially with banks closing, too intimidating right now!!!
Home sweet home.
x
Home, Home, On The Range SM
where the beer and the cantaloupe play . . . where seldom is heard . . . .
What happens at home stays at home. (nm)
:op
She is home, by that I mean she is 1 mile from her home.
I am the one that moved away. My brother lives there, but she requires 24-hour nursing care right now, and he is unable to provide that for her. My son is graduating high school this year and I plan to move back to take care of her, but I just can't until then. I did tell the adminstrator that they have 24 hours to figure this out, and then we will bring in the police. I have also threatened to go to the media, and this facility has a very excellent reputation and is run by the Brethren Church, so I would think they might not want bad publicity. It is a pretty small town and this is one of only a couple of care homes in the area.
The same with lots of ice....
Cranberry juice and vodka over lots of ice is always my drink of choice...CHEERS!!!
Me, too. I need lots of help.
I've got 1 room that turned into a storage room and every week I tell myself I have to get in there and straighten it out. I open the door, look around and close the door, and find something else to do.
I don't have any closets in my house and it drives me nuts. No place to hang coats, etc. when coming in from outside. They get slung over the chair that nobody sits in by the door.
We have 2 sheds and a 1 car 'tent' garage. Hubby keeps half his stuff in the tent garage and shed, I keep some of my stuff in the shed and mom's stuff is in the other shed. The first shed was built when we were moving from the old house, needed some place to go with it until we got in the new place, but it's still there!!!! I can't get to it because of hubby's snow blower and other quipment. I probably have some antiques in there by now. 
Mom died 7 years ago and I still haven't looked to see what's in her shed. I just don't have time.
I love to be organized, but when I organized my home the last time, I couldn't find anything!!!
This is nothing new. Lots cannot get
an apartment because of bad credit, same for jobs as has been discussed before on this board. If you cannot handle credit, people think you cannot handle a job. You might have to go back a few years to see who the bozo person is because just did not happen lately.
I have lots more to worry about as well - sm
I have a 6-y/o daughter that is only 1 year out from her chemo for kidney cancer and has been having some worrying symptoms lately, I have bills, I have lots of home strife to deal with , I have a DH who acts younger than my kids half of the time and cannot deal with any major problems and has undiagnosed depression and possibly bi-polar. I carry a heavy load here so you are not the only one in this world with problems. OH, I am in the USA too, so what does that have to do with anything? The coat just angered me beyond belief, maybe it is the straw that broke my back, my way of venting, who knows, but it something I can at least try to take some action on and maybe get it back. I cannot control my daughter's cancer recovery, all I can do is watch and wait and see if we make it to 5 years recovery without any recurrence, for the bills I am trying to work harder and make more money, for my DH I just deal with him the best I can and do pretty well but not all the time. So I have trival things and big things to worry about and deal with, along with millions of others. Sorry if my kid's coat loss/theft was such a mundane topic to post about but I am/was T'eed off about it and needed to vent and get opinions if I could on this. Yours is duly noted.
Lots of recipes at
foodtv.com Everything you ever wanted.
lots of days like that!
if I can I make a quick run to the coffee shop for a latte or take a 5 minute walk. its amazing what a lift a cappuccino or a latte will bring to my day.
Lots of questions
1. How old is the first house? The one with the sewing room and the carpet coming up?
2. How many sq ft is the second house - the newer one?
3. Have the rest of the houses in your neighborhood appreciated 66% in the last five years? (from $75,000 to $125,000)
Your husband has a good idea about putting the money in savings for six months to make sure you can afford to pay a mortgage that is twice what you are paying now. And after six months, you will have $1800 more to put down on the house.
This is strictly personal experience - but last summer we moved from a 25-year-old house to a brand new one. We lived in the 25yo house for 12 years, and the money we spent remodeling and updating (+ original price) it would have bought us a brand new house of the same size. So I would say go for the newer house if it comes to a choice. Older houses can be a LOT of work.
OTOH, you say your husband likes woodworking. If you're willing to live in a house that is in a perpetual state of remodeling...go for it!
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