How to Make Summertime Activities Count

by Lois Breneman ~ © 2008 ~ Heart to Heart

(New skills can be taught throughout the year, of course, but most parents and children often have more concentrated time during the summer months, when the children are not in school.  Whatever time works best for your family, seize the moment!)

Now is the time to be intentional in planning fun, yet beneficial activities for your children to do during the summer, if you haven't already done so.  Taking the time to teach your children how to work will pay off for everyone involved - even their future spouses.  This quote from R.D. Clyde is so true:  "Getting things done is not always what is most important.  There is value in allowing others to learn, even if the task is not accomplished as quickly, efficiently or effectively." 

You and your husband could make a list together of skills your children need to be able to master before leaving home.  Then get additional input from your children.  They may come up with things you never thought of.  These are just a few ideas to get you started: wash and vacuum a car, change a tire, put air in the tires, cook a variety of meals well (not only bake cookies from a refrigerated roll), start a recipe collection (your sons too), clean a bathroom, dust, vacuum, mop a floor, sweep a porch, sew on a button, hand sew a hem in pants or a skirt, mend a ripped seam (by hand or machine), plant and manage a garden, dress modestly and know why, know which colors they look best wearing, how to shop for their own clothes and save money, how to plan meals and buy groceries, make and follow a budget, write a check, know money saving tips, and a multitude of other practical skills they will need in life.

Summer is a perfect time to help your children learn these new skills.  Make an intentional plan. Don't forget to teach forgotten skills like cooking, crafting, woodworking, and sewing.  These skills will go a long way in helping your sons and daughters - even before they get married.  Then when they have children of their own, these skills can make it more possible to help them save on expenses so the mother is able to stay at home to raise the children.  Those skills can also be helpful in making gifts as well.  Teach your sons how to cook, along with your daughters.  Both of our sons enjoy cooking and used that skill when they were living on their own, and now help their wives by pitching in with the cooking.  

Probably most children already know how to use a computer, but what about other basic equipment for life?  Consider teaching your children at the appropriate age how to use various appliances and equipment, such as a slow cooker, grill, stove top, oven, microwave, dishwasher, washer, dryer, lawn mower, weed eater, sewing machine, and vacuum cleaner.

It may be beneficial to have your child take a speed reading class during the summer.  One mother told me that is what they insisted their son do before heading off to college.  He griped and complained, but he followed through with his parents' wish.  Later he told his parents that was one of the best things they could have ever done for him, because all through college he was able to speed read through his thick text books and comprehend what he read, and not have to cram before exams.  Today he is very capable on the computer and is high up in the business world - doing computer work!  He and his family also love and serve the Lord in their lives.  So taking a class or two is another way to make the summer count.

During the summer months many young people and adults go on missions trips to minister in various parts of the world.  They always come home on fire for the Lord.

Other skills that your children might choose to learn are photography, drawing, painting, calligraphy, making jewelry, quilting, crocheting, knitting, making crafts, gardening, landscaping, woodworking, wood carving and writing stories or poems.  In many cases, going to the library and finding information on the subject of interest is a good place to begin. 

Talking to those who are able to do these skills well is another starting point.  You may find that your parents would be just thrilled to teach their grandchild a new skill.  I know I would!  One of the Heart to Heart grandmothers teaches her granddaughters how to quilt as they each spend several weeks with their grandparents each summer.  What a time of bonding and learning a skill that will be used the rest of their lives!

A mother could help a daughter find books on interior decorating and study up on how they could redecorate her bedroom together as a summer project.  Or organization could be taught in small steps as you and your children tackle organizational projects around the house. If you still have the newsletter full of organizational tips, that would keep you plenty busy!

One mother could teach her daughter and her daughter's friend how to do a particular skill.  Later that friend's mother might want to teach them both a different skill. 

Summer is a good time to begin learning how to play an instrument or take voice lessons.  It's also a good time to learn athletic skills, as long as athletic activities aren't all your children do.

Encourage your children to help a neighbor or friend and not expect or accept payment in return.  If cooking is one of their skills, a home cooked meal or even one dish would be so much appreciated!

Help your children to continue with math, science, reading and writing all summer long.  For math go to http://www.coolmath4kids.com/ and do the two math puzzles below.   For science experiments, go Robert Krampf's Science Education Company at www.krampf.com.   For writing, try short stories or poems.  Write to a military soldier that you know.  For reading, choose biographies and the Bible for starters. 

Encourage a daily devotional or quiet time by providing appropriate devotionals that match the ages of your children.  Our goal and prayer for our children is that they have a genuine heart change, not to simply go through the motions.  Help your teenagers get grounded before they leave home.  Several outstanding books for your teens are:

• A Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
• Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
• Life on the Edge by James Dobson
• Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

A special newsletter that I send to all new Heart to Heart subscribers is entitled, "175 Things You Can Do Together with Your Family."   If you use that list, your children won't have a chance to say, "I'm bored, Mom!  What can I do?" 

You will find that complete newsletter on the "Favorites" page (at the top of this blog).