Is Summertime restful?

Do these approaching longer days mean more rest
or more chaos?  School has ended and we are busier
than ever.  Play dates, sports, outdoor activities,
vacations and projects that were saved to complete
over the summer.  How do we as families make sure
we are focusing on those things most important over
the summer time?

During the school year there is typically a defined
schedule of sorts.  We go to school and work each
day. Homework, activities and sports become the
focus in the afternoons.  Dinner and a set bedtime
follow.  What happens in the summer time?  Is there
a daily routine or are we just as scheduled out?

Despite what appears to be a more open day, a
summertime plan with boundaries is just as critical
as during the school year.  Make sure that your family
has created more family time in your day. Keep night
time routines similar to the school year, so that getting
back into the swing of things come August is not a
nightmare. And, make sure you have boundaries set
for children of all ages for activities.

As parents, we tend to think that summer time will be
that of rest, rejuvenation and completing things that did
not happen during the other seasons; however, that
is not always the case.  Summer time can be more of
a juggling act due to work and vacation. This can
lead to added stress.  Summer time should be that of
slowing down, revisiting those things that do make you
feel energized and making more time for family events
that cannot always happen during the school year.

Whatever you find this summer, make it memorable,
restful and enjoyable for everyone in the family.  This
is a great time to work on goals independently and
together.  Have each member plan something this
summer that they are in charge of coordinating for the
whole family.  Even the youngest of children can plan
a day out.  Assign projects to each person to help and
talk about how everyone contributes to the home.
Remember to empower one another to understand
the importance of each other's roles in your family
and how they work together as one. And, take time
for yourself as parents.  A walk, a dinner out, a movie
or just ten minutes of uninterrupted time together.
Make it happen!

All of us at Kids Klutter wish you a safe, fun and
adventurous summer time together.  If you are interested
in helping your school make money through two simple
fundraising opportunities, please visit us on our website
at www.kidsklutter.com. We can help your community!

Blessings and happy summer!

Springtime!

Hello from Kids Klutter! I was sitting
here looking out my window at the snow on
the ground watching the trees blow in the
cold wind and thought about how much I
was ready for Spring time. We always tend
to crave it as Winter comes closer to ending
and those snowfalls seem to continue to pop
up. I wondered what it was I craved the
most about Spring?

Spring is full of transformations and
transitions. During the winter time we tend
to want to hibernate more and Spring brings
us renewal opportunities. We see new growth
all around us which inspires us to want to
get outside more, start on projects left
aside, and strive for new things. The warm
weather, the beauty in the budding of trees
and flowers, and fresh colors all around us
help build our positive energy and look ahead
at things more openly. It is a time for
discovery!

This season also helps us to realize we only
have a few more months of school and this is
the real push to stay organized, helping our
kiddos use the skills they have been learning
this year and realizing how much they are
growing into independent learners. This Spring
transition is a great time for new creativity
together! Have a great season.

If you are looking for fundraising opportunities
for your school, club, church group, or other
outside activity, please visit us at:
www.kidsklutter.com. Let us help you earn
more money for your group in easy ways.

Fall Season

Hello,from Kids Klutter and Happy Fall!
If you joined us for the last blog you
have some ideas on getting your family
organized and school has begun in full
swing!

Most of us are ready for the summer to
be over and are switching gears for the
next season. Shorter sun days and warmer
clothes are closer. Having three children
myself, I often wonder how I keep them
all on track with school work, home chores
and family time along with all the extra
curricular activities they choose. I ask
myself if we are just too busy already and
school has just begun. And if so, how can
I instill slowing down in each of their minds
if I am moving just as fast?

Whether you are a stay at home or working
mother, there are not enough hours in the day.
How do you carve out time for everything and
everyone? It takes careful and timely planning
to make it all work for sure. And, as we all
know, time does not slow down for anyone.

My suggestion to everyone is to take time
to plan. Whether it be a goal to have dinner
together nightly or on certain nights, set it
up now and make it a pattern moving forward.
If one on one time can only happen in transition
then make the time count in content. We bring
a devotion book with us in the car and on the
way to school or an activity we choose a subject
to discuss and keep one another engaged in
conversation and family. Another suggestion is
to have the kids be responsible for planning a
meal a week and then helping to prepare it. The
time you share in the kitchen will be the memories
you remember most.

The biggest thing in family dynamics is the tone
the parents set. If we are busy, the kids get
busier. If we slow down, they slow down. Realizing
that activities tend to dictate our time these days,
re-evaluate how to plan them to fit your family and
not have your family fit into the activity.
And if you are running around, make that car time
count. Share a story, play a game and do not forget
to laugh.

I think it is best said that being a parent is the
greatest and most difficult job you will ever do in
your life. It is also the most rewarding. Family is
the most important thing! Chaos is a part of life
these days, but we can all rope it back in to less
stress with a plan. We all need some structure
regardless of age to function at our best. So, sit
down with your family today and make a plan.

And, take some time to see those turning colors,
smell that fresh air of changing seasons and crunch
some leaves together!

Blessings and have a great fall. From your
friends at kidsklutter. Visit us at
www.kidsklutter.com and pass us along to your
PTA or PTO!