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You Can Keep Your Kids Busy at Home Too (Tip of the Week)

July 31, 2006

I received a great tip from one of my SharpMoms. She commented on my first poll, How Do You Keep Your Kids Busy Over the Summer? and noted that I didn’t include any at-home activities. She sent me a list of how she keeps her kids busy at home over the summer and I really liked her ideas (very SHARP). So moms, I’m making them your Tip of the Week. Thanks Lisa!

SharpMom Lisa created a chart of daily activities that she calls P.E.G.E.R.S. The idea is to make everyday activities fun and teach good habits. Here’s how it works:

  • “P” stands for Pick-Up: Making sure toys, games and books are picked-up and chores are completed each day.
  • “E” stands for Exercise Your Body: There is a different activity such as swimming, biking, etc. each day.
  • “G” stands for God: This is time set aside for prayer/reflection.
  • “E” stands for Exercise Your Mind: Activities include journal writing, worksheets, art, etc.
  • “R” stands for Reading: Reading to your children, your children spending quiet time reading alone, etc.
  • “S” stands for Show Respect: Obeying parents, helping others, being kind to siblings and friends, etc.

Keep in mind that all the suggestions above can easily be tailored to fit the ages of your children. For example, Exercise The Mind might be playing with a shape sorter for a 2-year-old and it might be a science experiment for a 10-year-old.

I know my children are really motivated by charts and rewards (even if it’s just a sticker on the chart). We’ve used charts for potty training, behavioral issues, etc.

Give this system a try and let us know how it works for you.

Written by Nicole · Filed Under Family | Leave a Comment 

SharpMom Week in Review: July 23 - 29

July 29, 2006

Here’s a quick look at my favorite posts from the past week:

I’m really excited about the Motherhood & The Art of Organization series. I think organization is a key component to being a SharpMom. I would love your thoughts on what it takes to be a SharpMom. Click here to read my definition of a SharpMom.

Written by Nicole · Filed Under Family | Leave a Comment 

My Children Have Discovered GameBoy!

July 28, 2006

boy playing Game BoyI guess all kids discover the GameBoy (and video games in general) sooner or later, but it is odd to see my 3-year-old playing (or pretending to play?) alongside his big sister. And, I’m beginning to feel like there’s no escaping electronic media.

Here’s the trend I’m noticing in my house:

  1. The kids get bored and want to watch T.V. After a show or two, I say, “No more TV!”
  2. The kids move to the computer and begin playing computer games. After 30 minutes or so I say, “Let’s play with our toys for a while.”
  3. The kids get out their GameBoys! Have they outsmarted me?

Does this happen in your house? How much imagination are we using watching TV, playing computer games and playing on the GameBoy? I’m always reading that “the experts say” children should not watch more than two hours a day of TV, but where does computer time and video game time fit into this equation?

I keep reminding myself, everything in moderation. I try to monitor what they are doing and for how long and continue to encourage them to use their imaginations and play with their toys, you know the Barbies, race cars, blocks and stuff like that!

Share your thoughts on TV watching and computer and video game playing with us.

Written by Nicole · Filed Under Family | Leave a Comment 

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