Mama's Losin It... post prompts to get you in the mood...

For WRITING ...


Each week the masterminds at Mama's Losin It come up with several thought provoking, imaginative, or just plain old silly ideas for blog posts.


This week I am using #5 as my inspiration to get back into the blogging routine...
Enjoy! 

 It's hot, the kids are home and crazy, our pets are panting, the days are long...share your number one Summer Survival Tip.


Okay. 
First, let me start by asking you a question... a serious one, I swear.


What makes anyone think that parents actually survive the summer school vacation with any of their mental faculties intact?
Yes, we are the grown ups.
And yes, we make the rules in our homes.
And again yes, we wanted these precious little miracles of nature ...


But that in no way means that we actually have any survival tips for making it to the end of the summer holidays without going insane from the constant litany of ...
"I'm bored"
"There's nothing to do"
and the ever popular... " it's too hot to go outside"


Here at TheBusyFamily home we have all the amenities of a four star hotel.
We have central air. 
We have a lovely, large outdoor pool.
We have an enormous deck leading to the afore-mentioned pool and...
We have a large, predominantly shady back yard that is just filled with wild honeysuckle and butterfly bush and the butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds, rabbits and deer to go with it.


And yet, even in this wondrous environment where a child can play soccer or volleyball or shoot some hoops; where breakfast can be eaten poolside at noon before a quick dip in the refreshingly cool water; where a tent can be pitched in a matter of minutes for an impromptu camp out complete with fireside scary stories and s'mores...


Yes, even in this haven of summer school vacation fun and laughter the children of  TheBusyFamily grow bored. 


They complain.
They bicker and argue.
They spend a lot of time in their rooms, staring at the ceiling.


While I, BusyMom of TheBusyFamily, take the opportunity to soak up some sun, take a dip in the pool, read a book or just sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature that I am lucky enough to have here at TheBusyFamilyHomestead.


So... for those searching for the secret to surviving the summer months my tip for you is simply this...


Do not seek to just survive...
seek to enjoy every minute you have to the fullest...
let your children see this joy so that they may learn to enjoy and appreciate what they have through your example.


Spend time with them. 
Get to know them.
But most importantly, do not be afraid to make them go out and get hot, get dirty, do chores around the house and yard... 


Be spontaneous. 
Be fun.


Be the kind of parent you want your children to grow up to be...
And you will do more than survive the summer...


You might even find out that you actually LIKE your kids...
but do not expect them to like you in return... 


At least not in public