The routines are changing for many mogul moms as summer begins. Running around with the kids and running our business.
The mom/entrepreneur balancing act is always a challenge, but summer can be especially stressful. Screen time for your kids has limitations, and you need quiet time to focus on work.
Here are some creative ideas to keep your “small assistants” busy, so you can build that empire of yours, keep the kiddos away from the television and maybe even teach them at the same time. Talk about multitasking. You really can do it all!
1. Get ‘em reading. The number one request of teachers this summer is to keep kids reading, and it’s so easy to do with Mobi Stories, Digital Books for Kids. Simply purchase downloadable files and your kids can follow along as the stories are read aloud on the screen, or read to themselves. They’re now available for the iPhone, too!
2. Get ‘em writing. Have your kids start a summer journal, as they may have done through the school year. It’s so much easier for kids to enjoy writing when they love what they’re writing about. Some easy prompts to get them started are: “What was your favorite thing today?” “What’s the weather?” “Did your friend say/do something funny?” Or for more structure, check out the topics in the illustrated This is Me Journal.
3. Refresh their math, language arts and social studies skills with fun, free printable worksheets for kids ages pre-school to high school at Family Education.
4. Embrace your child’s inner explorer with a nature scavenger hunt in your yard, or a treasure hunt in the house.
5. Let them create! Crayons and markers are the only materials needed with The Boys Doodle Book and The Girls Doodle Book. Fantastic for creativity with a little direction. A personal family favorite!
6. Encourage online learning with the educational websites of National Geographic, NASA, FunBrain, KidsKnowIt and HowStuffWorks.
With a few of these activities in your back pocket, you’ll be more prepared to juggle family and business these summer months…..and keep your sanity, too.
So…what about you? What will your kids be doing this summer while you work? Tell us in the comments.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Every summer, I remind myself to enjoy the time with my girls. Of course being less productive is still very frustrating. Last year, I picked up a book on SEO and read it during swimming lessons and soccer games. It was time well spent and helped reduce the frustration factor.
Thank you for sharing the idea for the digital books. With me being from Germany we fly there and it is a long trip with a 2.5 year old. She would like to pack every book she owns. Now I can just have her look at books on my laptop.
Twitter: turn_design
June 11, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Tracy – I have to remind myself too.
You’re welcome, Susan! I think it’s a great idea, too.
As this is my kids’ first day of summer break, I thought of another idea. I just set the timer for their screen time, and knowing I have 30 minutes of quiet motivates my productivity as I sit down and catch up in my office.
Such great *educational* activities! You make a mom feel guilty
Right now son is playing his guitar and singing the Iron Man song while I work…over, and over and over again. He is already into ACDC and he is three.
He does watch a bit of PBS Kids…enough that he also says quite often,”Don’t forget to check out PBS Kids Dot ORG!”
Thanks for the tips.
Twitter: heathall
June 11, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Morgan,
Don’t feel guilty – my 3.5yo listens to Soundgarden, Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Nickelback and Van Halen. And who says playing the guitar and listening to rock isn’t educational? Our sons may go to Berkeley School of Music someday.
Heather
Thanks so much for the NASA plug! I work in the public affairs office at the Johnson Space Center (when I’m not trying to start my own empire). Our website is an excellent resource for kids. We have interactive video games, coloring sheets, videos, and more. One of the coolest is NASA in Your City. You can see how all of the work that goes into the space program benefits us here on Earth. Just add /city after the NASA.gov address.
Twitter: heathall
June 11, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Hi Sean!
How cool – about building your own empire and working for NASA!!
Going to check out the NASA in your city – sounds awesome! Thanks for stopping by!
Heather
I *love* your tips!! My nerves are already shot thinking about how I’ll get anything done work-wise this summer, but this helps. Great tips, always – I love the Mogul Mom!!!
Twitter: fun4thebrain
July 20, 2010 at 10:44 am
I created a website just for this reason. My daughter loves to be on the computer, so I created several educational games, mostly math, to help her practice while having fun. This has now turned into almost 100 educational online games! So, if you have kids who are allowed on the computer, my site might just keep them busy for awhile! http://fun4thebrain.com