loving art, science and creative kids

 The Garden

Planting a vegetable garden and watching things grow is a wonderful activity to do with children. If you don’t have space in your backyard, join a community garden and enjoy seeing your neighbor’s produce grow alongside your own.

Summertime—Will the Living be Easy?

Summer vacation will be a challenge after spending a year sequestered with children at home. I'm sure children and their parents learned a great deal about themselves, but it must have been tough going. They probably figured out what things are most important, what they enjoy doing, how they think, and how to organize their time. They discovered if they were self-starters or need to follow a leader's direction to complete tasks.

  Years ago, I read a study about women who made it to the top of their organization. Sorry, but I no longer remember the source. The only thing the women had in common was that during their childhoods, they didn't attend school for an extended period of time. Some had serious illnesses while others had parents whose jobs took them abroad and disrupted their education. A few faced family crises that forced them to remain home to take care of an ill parent or to babysit siblings. 

 As young people, they came to understand themselves. They learned to occupy their time, and eventually became self-motivated young adults capable of rising to the top of their professions. So parents, have heart. The pandemic may have a greater silver lining than you think. Even so, as summer approaches you will have to consider how to manage with children underfoot for several more months. 

  Thoughts of a Young Person

School is almost over, let the fun begin. No more online classes or homework assignments. Lazy days are before me with nothing to do and nowhere to go. I can't wait to take out my bicycle and ride to the park with my buddy. I'm going to sleep late and do nothing, nothing, nothing! Maybe I'll see a few friends. I wonder if I'll have to wear a mask. I will eat a lot of ice cream, though, and go under the sprinkler if it is hot. Two whole months for play. Yea!

 Thoughts of Parents

This April, two of my children returned to elementary school part-time and one attended high school a few days each week, but their hybrid classes will only last twelve weeks. I am tired of monitoring schoolwork and crave time alone with no responsibilities. Having the children engaged part-time along with online classes is almost as difficult as having them home full time. My days will remain disrupted making it difficult to work. 

  During confinement, my husband and I were our children's playmates as well as their parents. Now that the kids will start their summer vacations they will expect more freedom. How will I get them back into a routine so I don't go crazy? They'll be underfoot, tracking in dirt, and lounging around the house bored. They'll want to be entertained, fed continuously, and taken to the playground. Their demands will interrupt whatever I do. 

  Baby sitters cost $15 an hour and day camps are $200 to $350 per week. My husband and I live comfortably but are not so well off that we can afford to enroll three children in camps. I take them with me wherever I go-the grocery store, the cleaners, the garden shop, you name it. My older daughter will be vaccinated next week. She wants to visit her friends, but until the younger ones are vaccinated, I will have to limit who she sees. One good thing is that I don't have to wake up early and run around like a madwoman to be sure they're ready on time for the bus. And, I won't have to pack a lunch to send with them.

  I better stop complaining and get organized, plan fun things like going on bicycle rides or hiking in the arboretum. Do I need to do more? My children lost a lot by not attending school last year. My six-year-old should be reading by now and she's not. A complete break from academics this summer may be foolish. That means that I will have to be the teacher or counselor. 

  What do I want them to learn? The school suggests they follow a workbook they will send home and complete the math and English exercises. I know the kids will fight me on that. My goal is to raise curious kids and wonder how to go about inspiring them. Perhaps I'll sign them up for swimming or a soccer camp instead. Maybe we'll go to the beach and stock up on vitamin D. Do they still need to practice the piano during vacation? 

  Parenting places different demands on those working outside of the house from those who are home and unemployed.

  Thoughts of an Unemployed At-home Parent

It's much more relaxing when the kids are off from school, but I need to organize myself to ensure they are busy this summer. We managed all right during the school year, but it wasn't easy. Summer, though, is a time for exploration. It's no fun when children hang around bored. I want them to spend most of their time outdoors, but I also want them to keep reading and questioning. This is my chance to round out the gaps in their education. Nature camp or science camp for a few weeks would be a good start, but my budget is tight this year. 

  Instead of signing them up for a program, I'll arrange for a few excursions into nature on my own. We might start with a tracking expedition in the woods. Later we'll use an underwater scope to check out the creek and collect water samples to analyze. Food is a big issue, so planting and maintaining a garden will be a good challenge. I will get a food dehydrator so we can take fresh fruit and vegetables to make our owns snacks. Fun, fun, fun! I like teaching my kids and am fortunate I can be home to do so. 

  Thoughts of a Working Parent

My husband and I have been called back to work and the kids will be home from school expecting to have fun. How will I manage? Do I leave them by themselves all day under their older sister's care or pay for a babysitter? I don't trust my daughter to manage so that's not a good option. There are lots of summer programs, but they fill fast because of social distancing and cost a bundle. Perhaps my husband and I can alter our work hours so one or the other can stay home. I wonder if my mother or sister will help? I hate to burden them. This will be a very exhausting summer if I don't think of something soon. 

  I just had an idea. I have a friend with young children who might be willing to exchange care time with me. Our children can stay in a safety bubble around COVID while I watch them all for half a day and she takes the other half. If I have to work longer hours, then family members can help out or I'll pay for a sitter. It won't be as great a burden if I can offset costs by sharing with my neighbor. In August I'll take a week off and go camping with the kids. Until then, they can assist with housework. That should keep them busy. I'll also look into parks and recreation programs that don't cost too much?

  Thoughts of a Grandparent

My grandchildren will be a burden on my daughter and her husband this summer. They've been called back to work full time. The 16-year-old would like a summer job, but no one is hiring teens her age. Now that she is vaccinated all she wants to do is hang with her friends. She needs supervision so she won't get in trouble. My grandkids will all need extra attention. I'll pay for them to go to science camps for at least a week. 

  My husband and I were vaccinated and feel it is safe to take them to the beach in July. We might even make it to the mountains before school starts. We will do what we can to reduce their parents' stress, and it will be a good way for us to get to know the kids better. When I was a child, my grandparents were always around to care for us. That type of assistance is not common these days, for families often live great distances away. I am glad the city's swimming pool will open. It is promising to be a hot summer. 

  I do worry about my grandchildren, though. They don't have the advantages I did as a child. My elementary school, for instance, had a free half-day summer program of crafts and sports actives that ran for eight weeks. We not only lived near our grandparents but were within walking distance of aunts and uncles. When people talk about it taking a village to raise a child, I agree. I just wonder how it can be done in modern America.

Please share your thought on spending the summer with children. Though most people look forward to breaking out of confinement, not everyone can take advantage of that freedom. Do comment on my blog site below.

Art is always for sale, The garden is 37” x 32” by 2”\. Acrylic paint on hardboard, wood frame. For sale at $499. Contact me for shipping information at [email protected].