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Livin' Easy with
Your Kids; Summertime the Gershwin Way
By Kayla Fay
SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVIN' IS EASY.
Summertime is supposed to be an
easy time, evoking images of happy children with dirt necklaces, of
lounging on the front porch with ice tea, of evenings soothed with
fireflies and the lullabies of crickets and cicadas. In our society,
this is about as close to reality as Brahms is to Ice T. Our summers are
often wasted fiddling with video games and strumming the remote, leaving
kids chorusing "I'm bored." If you're going to play the blues this
summer, take a lesson from George Gershwin. He has composed the perfect
summertime accompaniment for the lazy, hot days that lie ahead.
FISH ARE JUMPIN'.
Your kids don't need a cane pole
to go fishing for a new school of knowledge. Review basic skills, or to
get a head start on next year's subjects and reading lists using
software and music that make study feel like play. Choose books, videos
and summer excursions around one learning theme. Research your vacation
destination; find out about its history, geography, activities and
bargains. Do whatever it takes to get your kids to read. Our family has
a spreadsheet that rewards television time for minutes read, and we'd be
happy to share it with you if you'll email us and ask.
AND THE COTTON IS HIGH.
Even if you don't have any cotton,
chores should be a part of your child's summer, as they teach
responsibility. Have your child work on their regular jobs. Expand their
horizons by teaching new domestic skills like window washing or
painting. Teach the boys to wash clothes and the girls to change the oil
in the car. Clean out closets together, or plant a garden. Use your time
to volunteer your services to others.
YOUR DADDY'S RICH.
Actually, since my children's
Daddy isn't rich, summertime is the perfect time for our boys to make
their own money. On trash days, one of our children takes the neighbor's
cans to and from the street. Another son feeds animals for vacationing
friends. One boy has made and distributed a flyer advertising his mowing
skills. Your child can probably find someone with a need to fill.
Challenge the entrepreneurial spirit to grow under your own roof, and
maybe your grandchildren will end up with a rich daddy.
AND YOUR MOMMA'S GOOD LOOKIN'.
Summertime is diet time for many
women, but the whole family can use the season to eat better and
exercise more. Take advantage of fresh fruits and vegetables. Cook
together, and learn some new recipes. Let your kids try their hand at
making nutritious menus and frugal shopping lists. Drive past McDonald's
and have a picnic. Go swimming, ride bikes, or go hiking. Learn a new
sport, or learn how to dance. Set some habits that will carry over to
the rest of the year.
SO HUSH LITTLE BABY. DON'T YOU
CRY.
Let summertime be easy for your
family. School will start again soon enough, so try not to sweat over
anything but the hot weather. Be inspired by Summertime. Keep your
children's summer from turning into one long Looney Tune. Improvise your
own summer aria, and make music with your children. Just make sure to
play Gershwin in the background.
Kayla Fay is a freelance writer
and publisher who is determined to help her four boys to make the most
out of every minute of this summer. Kayla and her guys share ways for
you to make your own summertime music in their brand new family product
called "Summer Fun 101". To find out more, or to request the television
spreadsheet, visit
http://www.summerfun101.com/dt/t/3/. |
