Summertime

Kids At Play (1947) / Photo by Ralph Morse / LIFE

Ah… Just the word “summertime” brings with it a sigh of contentment, for we all survived another academic year. Some mothers though are thinking: “What next?” How can I keep these children out of trouble, help them to busy themselves and stay calm and cheerful throughout?

Let’s look at the different departments in our households. There is the Department of Forestry (front and backyards), the Department of Hobbies and Crafts, the welcome Department of Chores, and of course, the Sacred Department of the Kitchen. Due to space and time we’ll just tackle these, but you may think of many more departments.

Living on acreage or on a small lot in town, children from time immemorial have been creative and can easily thrive in the outdoors. Bike rides, forts (made from scraps), sandpits, flying kites, gardening, water balloon battles, fingerpaints and sidewalk chalk, endless games of tug of war or hide-‘n-seek are just a small list of giving them reasons to “go out and play!” Don’t forget to delegate a Captain (or two) to watch little ones for the Head Project Manager (mom) to get some sunshine and exercise too. It does wonders!

Every homeschool has their favorite hobbies and crafts, and we could give an endless list here as well. Summertime is a great opportunity to put more practice into a musical instrument or for a teenage girl to start on a quilt. Modeling clay and art projects are so easy to find at your local Michael’s or dollar store. Making a visit to the thrift store can enable you to fill a chest with dress-up costumes. Have the older children organize a drama play about a favorite scene from a book they read or act out the life of a Saint. Boys love the blood and action of the martyrs. Let them choose from a favorite martyr and act it out.

Now we come to the Department of Chores. To the children it may not be so welcome, but to the Head Project Manager it is paramount to have all hands on deck! And it can be fun when we all work together. Having a list of weekly (or monthly) chores posted in a high-traffic zone (i.e. the kitchen fridge!) will be helpful. The housework should be divided among all children according to age levels. Even four-to-five-year-olds can clear tables and empty dishwashers and vacuum. Little ones can form a team with an older sibling. If everyone does their designated chores in the morning, then we have most of the day for play, projects, and errands, etc. The Head Project Manager can employ a co-captain or an assistant in making the rounds and reporting if all chores are complete.

Last but never the least is the Department of Food Administration. This includes, and is not limited to, the planning of meals, shopping for groceries, making food, enjoying a nice meal with all members at table and then finally the clean-up. It is more than a full-time job. Some days mom is full of energy to bake those yummy cupcakes or a mammoth batch of chocolate chip cookies. Other days mom is worn out with sleepless nights and a nursing infant. OR she’s just tuckered out!

This is when the troops come to the rescue: put an apron on them and give them the old adage to ponder: “If a man does not work, he should not eat.” Eight-to-ten-year-olds can make simple recipes, things like no-bake cookies, popsicles, lemonade, scrambled eggs, easy salads, and sandwiches. Have a different, older child take over breakfast and lunch production. It will give them confidence in the kitchen and open the door to the next level. This will give mom a bit of a break, such as an opportunity to nurse the baby or answer the phone. Another idea to try is have a teen plan a meal from Mom’s cookbooks. He or she can give mom a list of ingredients to put on the grocery list, and then they can choose a night to surprise the General (dad) when he arrives home from work.

Remember to incorporate many occasions for R&R: Rest and Reading! Every mom should try to have some sort of quiet in the afternoon to nap or read. The older ones can read to the little ones or do quiet projects. A nap can do wonders for the Head Project Manager who then can welcome home the General with a smile and with the contentment of knowing something got accomplished today (even if it is just nursing the baby.)

If all you do this summer is survive with your six children, ages seven and under, that’s just fine. One day you will turn around and find a very capable ten-year-old who can manage quite a bit because he or she observed how the Head Project Manager did it.

Enjoy your summer!