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My Favorite Summer Moments

July 23, 2010 By Mom Spark 5 Comments

What is it that makes summer so special?  When you’re a kid, summer means no school, lots of swimming, and sleeping in late.  When you think about it, it really isn’t any different when you become an adult, is it?  We get a break from our children’s homework, too, and like to take part in the summer fun just as much.  Yeah, we don’t get to sleep in late, but we do get a itty bitty break and that counts for something.

So, what are some of my favorite summer moments?

BARBECUES



One of my favorite summer activities is hosting barbecue parties with friends and family.  Not only do we grill yummy food, but the kids can run around outside and play in a shallow pool or slip ‘n slide.  The kids get to exert that “cooped up in the house” steam and the adults get time to chat.  Win/win.

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Big Crowds, Little Kids

July 6, 2010 By MeganS 12 Comments

I will start by sharing a few of my tips about wrangling my little ones in big crowds but what I am hoping for out of this post is a lot of comments and tips from all of you readers. Lets start a conversation about this because it is summer travel time and whether you plan on being a tourist or if your town becomes flooded with tourists in the summer, it is always good to have a plan when you are dealing with big crowds and little kids.

Here are a few of my husband and my crowd control guidelines:

  1. Teach your kids your name. You will always be Mom and Dad to your kiddos but make sure that your kids know your first and last name so if they get separated from you they can tell someone what your name is. Mass panic would happen in a theme park if the loud speakers announced, “Could MOM please report to customer service to pick up your lost child?”
  2. Teach your kids their first and last name. Same concept as number one.
  3. Before you join the crowd take a picture of your child. Make sure it is a full picture so you can see what they are wearing and there is a good clear picture of their face. In the chaos, shock and terror of losing a kid you may forget what your little one was wearing and not be able to effectively describe them. Having the picture will help authorities know what they are looking for.
  4. Point out the authorities and/or who to go to when you need help. Introduce your little one to an employee in the park’s distinctive polo shirt or uniform so they know who to go to for help.
  5. Dress your kids in distinctive clothing. They don’t need to be in reflective safety gear but it should be something that is easy to spot. At a recent trip to the zoo both my boys were wearing “explorer hats.”

  6. If possible have two adults. One to keep an eye on kids and one to be in charge of all the stuff- stroller, diaper bags, tickets, sippy cups etc. When there are clear responsibilities there is no miscommunication or lost moments of who is in charge of what.
  7. If you are traveling with more than one adult make sure you have a way to communicate if you are separated. Cell phones or walkie talkies are great for this. [Read more...]