Then I realized there’s still time left. Whether you’re like me and want to squeeze in a last-minute memory, or you’ve had an epic summer and want to close it out in a special way, these 10 end-of-summer activities will help your whole family savor the season’s final hurrahs.

1. Feast on quintessential summer foods.

End summer on a delicious note! Plan and prepare a meal that embodies the flavors of the season. Think seafood boil or burgers on the grill, juicy watermelon salad, and ice cream sundaes. Assign everyone to a course, and let them pick foods that scream “summer.”

2. Splash around.

It’s impossible not to smile when you’re playing at a water park (or when you’re watching kids at one!). Take the family to the nearest one and pack plenty of popsicles to keep everyone cool. No water park nearby? Crank up the sprinklers and let the kids leap in the grass. Think your kids are too big for this one? They might surprise you once the water is flowing.

3. Have a Yes Day (with boundaries).

Declare a Yes Day (or a No Rules Night) with a few ground rules—no expensive purchases and nothing dangerous, of course. Let your kids take the lead, choosing activities and meals for the day. This is a chance for them to feel empowered and create some unforgettable, last-minute summer fun.

4. Take in a sunset.

There’s something magical about watching the sun dip below the horizon. Grab a blanket and some snacks, and head to the nearest beach, park, or even your own back yard. Reflect on the summer’s highlights, share your favorite memories, and express your gratitude for your kids and the time you spent together.

5. Walk the runway in a first-day fashion show.

Pick out a tune with a beat and have your kids model the outfit they plan to wear on the first day of school. Are they still debating? Have them show off three different looks. Keep the fun going by modeling outfits they’d never wear to school. Do your kids wear uniforms? Make that look number one, and then challenge them to give it some flair! (This is a sneaky way to make sure everything fits.)

6. Make freeze-ahead lunches.

Some kids might run from this idea, but if you have a kid who loves to cook, this is a great way to bond in the kitchen and get some meal prep done. Brainstorm some lunches that can be frozen and enjoyed throughout the first few weeks of school. Bonus points for creative names like “Beach Bum Bento Box” or “Cool Calzones.”

7. Make a fall bucket list.

Some kids thrive on looking forward to what’s next. Get the family excited for the upcoming season by talking about your must-do activities: apple picking, pumpkin carving, nature walks to see the changing leaves, or cozy nights sipping hot chocolate by a bonfire. Need some ideas? Download our free Fall Family Bucket List printable.

8. Have a family sleepover.

Sure, your family sleeps in the same house every night, but have you had a sleepover? Pull out the sleeping bags or lay out blankets on the living room floor. Ditch the TV and electronics in favor of board games, storytelling, and late-night laughs.

9. Make a top 10 list.

Scroll back through your phone and look at photos from the past two months. What was everyone’s favorite memory? What do you want to be sure to do again next summer? Use a printing service to create a book that you can look back on for years to come.

10. Do nothing.

Sometimes, the best end-of-summer activities are no activities at all. Declare a “do-nothing day” so everyone can relax and recharge before the school year begins. Read books, nap in a hammock, or cuddle up for a movie marathon.

What are some end-of-summer activities that make you feel like the season is complete?

The post 10 Things to Do On the Last Days of Summer Break appeared first on iMOM.

As moms, we want to make the right choice for our kids, but it can cause a lot of anxiety in the process (at least for me!). So, which is a better choice? Sleepovers or sleepunders? It’s time to weigh the pros and cons.

The Pros of Sleepunders

Plain and simple, there’s less to worry about with sleepunders. Our kids come home at the end of the evening (maybe 9 or 10 p.m.) and get tucked into their own beds. With a sleepunder, we don’t have to worry about our kids being online until the wee hours of the night or bumping into the friend’s older brother on a midnight run to the bathroom.

And what if your child still occasionally wets the bed? Or sucks his thumb? He doesn’t have to stress about being found out at a sleepunder. If he has any anxiety about being away from you for the night, that can be avoided too. At a sleepunder, we can make the experience feel like a sleepover—without the sleeping part. I’m talking PJs, popcorn, a movie, and games. It’s a win-win for everyone.

The Pros of Sleepovers

When I slept over at my friend Lynn’s house in elementary school, it was pretty uneventful—in a good way. I slept in a sleeping bag in her bedroom, and in the morning, the buttery smell of her dad’s pancakes lured us downstairs.

Recently, The New York Times asked teenagers about their opinions on sleepovers, and many talked about late-night talks, strengthening friendships, and making lasting memories. One student said sleepovers help kids “develop independence and learn to adapt to situations outside of their routine.” Pediatric neuropsychologist Sara Douglas agrees that sleepovers have many social and developmental benefits for kids: “Spending time with children together, and not just children in the playground with adults moderating the conversation but having independent social interaction, is completely invaluable.”

Sleeping over at a friend’s house is like a mini summer camp experience. Our kids learn to take care of their teeth and face and soothe themselves to sleep if they’re nervous. They also learn to speak up for themselves if they’d like an extra pillow or don’t want to eat scrambled eggs. There’s a bit of learning happening here, and that’s a good thing.

The Cons of Both

With a sleepover, there’s a lot to consider. We have to be able to ask the other parents hard questions before agreeing. Douglas suggests discussing a contingency plan if the child wants to go home early, food issues, gun ownership and storage, and who else will be in the home. You might also want to know if the kids will have access to unfiltered internet and if there are any pets. Along with that, a big fear for parents is sexual assault or abuse at a sleepover, and you’ll need to gauge how comfortable you are leaving your child at the other parents’ home.

But a sleepunder isn’t a perfect solution either. When kids return home at the end of the evening, they miss out on all that late-night giggling and bonding we probably remember ourselves as kids, not to mention the social and developmental benefits Douglas mentioned above.

How to Decide for Your Child

Experimenting with sleepunders might be a good first option for kids who are interested in sleepovers when you don’t feel comfortable letting them go. And if your child really wants to do a sleepover, think about whether he’s had practice separating from you at night and if you think he’s able to speak up for himself if he needs to.

Pediatric psychologist Carolyn Ievers-Landis says there’s no one size fits all answer. With sleepovers, you need to weigh each invitation differently, thinking about how well you know the other child and that child’s family, along with how your own child might do at that person’s house for an extended period of unsupervised time. You might want to let her borrow a phone so she can call or come home whenever she wants. In the end, you know your child best. Going with your gut—and a prayer—might be the best option.

How do you feel about sleepunders and sleepovers?

The post Sleepunders vs. Sleepovers: Which Is Better? appeared first on iMOM.

Before your teen graduates, you still have time to squeeze in a few more childhood memories, too. See how many of these 10 summer activities for teens you and your kid can check off for the best summer ever.

1. Go on a road trip—just the two of you.

Make it a day trip by exploring a nearby attraction or area new to you both or plan an overnight trip. Stay somewhere unusual, like a tiny house, yurt, or a sailboat. Or try your hand at tent camping or stay at a working farm. 

2. Eat at a fancy restaurant and dress the part.

Who says those prom clothes need to be reserved just for the big dance? And what about that old bridesmaid’s dress stuffed in the back of your closet? It’s finally your chance to wear it again! And, hey, if the menu is a bit too pricey for your tastes, go for appetizers. Or better yet, dessert!

3. Take a trip down memory lane.

Make a list of 10 to 12 places in your area where you and your child spent special moments together. Maybe it’s the swings she loved being pushed in “again again” at that one playground. Or that fast food parking lot where you’d share a special treat after school “just because.” Or how about the street where he learned to ride a bike or the field where he scored his first soccer goal? After making your list, surprise your child by visiting each spot. Take a photo and record a video together, sharing why that location holds a special place in your heart. Add to the adventure by blindfolding your child as you drive from one spot to the next.

4. Get tickets to a summer music festival or concert.

Summer activities for teens don’t need to include big-name acts or tours. Think small, and support your local music scene. You and your child just might discover the next big musical artist or your new favorite song.

5. Schedule a photography day.

Go to a lake, a parking deck overlooking the city, or a park setting and take photos. Try out some of the photography tricks you scroll past on social media, like placing a stool in water so it looks like you’re standing on the water or pretending to walk while snapping a photo—or grab a few of these.

6. Visit all of the state parks in your state—or just one.

With thousands of state parks in the United States, you can probably easily drive to one near you. Plus, a specific state park might already be on your teen’s bucket list. Pack a picnic, plenty of water and sunscreen, and explore the outdoors with your kid. Combine it with a photography day by asking your teen to find the best places to take photos. 

7. Eat at all the Waffle Houses in your town and tip like you’re at a fancy restaurant.

Teaching kids generosity continues into the teen years, too. Experience with your child the impact an unexpected tip can make in the life of someone who serves you. After your meal, you can either do it face-to-face or secretly leave the tip and watch the server’s reaction through the restaurant window while sitting in your car. By the way, if you don’t live near a Waffle House, try a small diner instead.

8. Tie-dye a hoodie.

Yes, it’s summer and probably hot where you live. However, hoodies and teens still somehow find a way to be together. So, why not grab a couple of white ones and create unique masterpieces together? Epic summer activities for teens can involve the little moments, too. It’s really all about spending time together.

9. Host a murder mystery dinner.

Keep the mystery to your immediate family or invite families from your teen’s friend group, sports team, or church small group. Order a murder mystery kit online and get to sleuthing! Encourage people to dress the part.

10. Plan a gaming tournament.

Does your teen love playing video games? Well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, and THEN beat them at their own game. Head to your local arcade or grab a controller for your teen’s gaming system and join in. Tip: If you’re playing at home, sneak in a few practices beforehand and surprise your kid with your hidden abilities. Depending on the game, consider keeping a running tally of your total scores throughout the summer break. The highest number before school starts wins!

What do you think qualifies as epic summer activities for teens?

The post 10 Epic Ideas for Your Teen’s Best Summer Ever appeared first on iMOM.

Sometimes, with little ones, outdoor play happens spontaneously. After all, everything sparks awe and wonder as they scan the world with brand-new eyes. However, as moms, we know it can be helpful to approach the day with a plan. Add these 10 outdoor activities for toddlers to your play list this season! 

1. Pour out the fun.

Gather cups, containers, and funnels of different sizes. Fill a cooler or kiddie pool with water and let your toddler scoop, dump, and splash away. Squirt in some dishwashing liquid and watch the excitement bubble up. Need more water games? We got you.

2. Have POP-ular play on a windy day.

Who says kites get to have all the fun when the wind blows? Chase bubbles on a windy day instead. Bubbles offer more than a boost to the fun factor, too. Each time your toddler pops a bubble, she’s learning about cause and effect. If she does this, then that will happen. Plus, she gets lots of practice moving her body as she reaches, jumps, and runs to catch those bubbles blowing around. (By the way, these movement activities for kids work great on a windy day, too.)

3. Plan for a dino-mite good time.

Place small plastic dinosaurs in a tray filled with water. Place the tray in the freezer until frozen. With your help, let your child excavate the dinosaurs. Experiment with different options. Add salt to the ice. Pour on a little warm (not too hot!) water. Chisel the ice with a spoon. 

4. Get ’em workin’ at the [pint-sized] car wash.

Line up 10 toy cars and give your child a rag, water, and dish soap. And, hey, why not add your car or a tricycle to the mix? Or how about giving those action figures a little scrub-a-dub, too? 

5. Squirt paint for your little squirt.

Fill up squirt bottles with different colored paints. In the grass, put down a tarp or plastic tablecloth. Then, put a large piece of paper, flattened cardboard box, or poster board on it, and invite your child to use those squeeze bottles to create art. 

6. Set the stage for a fairy tale.

Build a tiny fairy house together. Gather sticks, mud, flowers, rocks, moss, leaves, pinecones—basically anything you and your toddler can find outside can be used to build a tiny outdoor fairy house. (Pixie dust optional.) Need a little inspiration? This Boston mom and her two kids offer some great ideas.

7. Have a muddy good time.

Splish-splash, your little one will be taking a bath…later. Outdoor activities for toddlers often involve a little messy mayhem. After a summer downpour, take advantage of the post-rain mud and grab the buckets and shovels for some mudpies, mud castles, or whatever else your child creates. Or, why wait for the rain? Make your own mud puddles.

8. Box in the creativity.

Save up those cardboard boxes from all those online orders. Get washable paint, sponges, and paint brushes and invite your toddler to create a playhouse or fort out of the boxes and paint. Be prepared for your child to bring his creation inside or at least in the garage to play with the next day! 

9. Hunt and gather by the numbers.

Ask your child to pick a number between 1 and 10. Then, go on the hunt for that number of a specific object in your back yard or park. For example, find five pinecones, five rocks, five green leaves, and five sticks. 

10. Watch ‘em wiggle. See ’em jiggle.

If you’re looking for outdoor activities for toddlers to do on a playdate, this one needs to be on your list! Grab that kiddie pool, large plastic storage bin, or water table. Make ahead three to four boxes of Jello in different colors. Dump the wiggly creations in the pool (the Jello, not the toddlers), along with spoons, whisks, measuring cups, and maybe even a toy or two. Then, let the squishy fun begin by adding the other wiggly creations (the toddlers!) to the mix.

How do you balance safety and exploration when engaging in outdoor activities for toddlers?

The post 10 Irresistible Outdoor Activities Your Toddler Will Love appeared first on iMOM.

Then, the tables turn, and I take my family somewhere and make the same rookie mistakes. Our expectations are too high, our itinerary too full, and I get home from vacation saying “I need a vacation.” So how can moms actually enjoy trips with kids? Try these 5 tips for how to plan a family vacation you’ll enjoy, too.

1. Choose a spot that works with your kids’ ages and interests, not against them.

We took a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains when my sons were 10 and 9. We hiked trails, rode horses… You know, mountainy things. Had we taken that trip three years earlier, I would’ve been a nervous wreck, constantly worried that someone would get hurt. It’s hard to be patient and wait for the right ages to try new adventures with your kids, but it’s worth it.

And sometimes you have to accept that a destination might not be right for your family at all. Your husband’s dream to visit all the MLB stadiums might not jibe with your non-athletic crew. Remember, you two have plenty of time without the kids once they’re out from under your wings. Make these trips as kid-friendly as possible.

2. Try not to exhaust yourself before vacation starts.

I’m already bummed when vacation ends. Returning to a messy house just makes it worse. I’ve learned to pick up and clean bit by bit the week before instead of staying up until 2 a.m. scrubbing toilets.

Make a plan so you can avoid starting your vacation from a place of depletion. Two weeks out, start a list and do one thing every day. Or pack a week early. Set realistic expectations for what you can get done at work. And if the beds don’t have a fresh set of sheets, trust that you’ll still sleep well when you get home.

3. Pack as light as possible.

The less you have to carry, the easier it will be to travel. Fewer bags will also make it less likely you and your husband will bicker through gritted teeth as you play Tetris with your luggage in the trunk.

Lighten your load by asking, “Are we really going to need this?” as you pack everyone’s bags. And let the kids pack two stuffed animals, not seven. “Mr. Frog and Beary can come on the next vacation. This time, they get to hold down the fort!”

(Moms of the pre-potty trained, ignore this tip. You need the entire baby section from Target. Just bring it all, and thank your pack mule husband for carrying everything.)

4. Schedule rest.

Of all the tips for how to plan a family vacation, this one might be the most tempting to ignore. After all, when you spend a pretty penny to travel somewhere, the last thing you want to do is hit pause on the fun and go back to the hotel to nap or take a breather. But it’s better to have four days with a rested, happy family than seven with an overtired, bickering one.

5. Go with the flow.

I’m a planner, and I’ve used Excel spreadsheets for more vacations than I like to admit. But once I’m in vacay-mode, one of my favorite things to say is, “Let’s see where the day takes us.” That gives you permission to let go of control, shifting everyone’s focus from what’s happening next to what’s happening now.

If you stumble upon a park and the kids are getting along while playing “pirates” on the jungle gym, don’t rush off to the next thing. Be present where you are, and you might suddenly realize you’re on vacation after all!

Still not convinced you can find rest on a family vacation? Listen in on this episode of the iMOM Podcast for more ideas for how to enjoy a low-stress vacation.

I love discovering helpful tips for how to plan a family vacation that everyone enjoys. What’s your favorite?

The post A Trip With Kids CAN Feel Like a Vacation! 5 Tips for Loving Trips appeared first on iMOM.

Thankfully, we’ve all gotten better at this family travel thing. And our now-teenagers look forward to the games (mostly), even on 14-hour road trips. When you’re on the road again, plan on playing these 15 car games for kids to keep everyone entertained. 

5 Car Games for Kids Under 5

1. Puppetpoolza Party – Anything can be turned into a puppet. Using what you have on hand (See what I did there?), hold a silly conversation with your child. The first time I played this game, I used my child’s Lambie. Lambie talked with a heavy Southern accent and called everyone Pancake and Waffle. She asked my daughter all sorts of silly questions, messed up the song lyrics, and tried her hand at yodeling. That puppet calmed our toddler and made the trip fun for us all.  

2. I Spy – Yep. It’s a classic game for a reason. And while it’s not a new game for you, it is for your child.

3. Hello, Yellow – See how many yellow trucks your child can spot. Give out a small prize when he finds 10. And, yes, snacks count as prizes! Then, move on to another color and another prize, like coloring pages, stickers, or a familiar stuffed animal who “snuck into the car.”

4. Cars of Many Colors – See how many different colored cars you can spot together. Red, white, black, blue, yes! Purple? Maybe. Hot pink? Almost as rare as a Hawaiian license plate.

5. And the Letter Is? – List three words starting with the same letter. Really enunciate the words. Ask your child to guess the letter. For example, you say: Book, Bear, Banana. 

5 Games for Elementary

6. Name That Tune – Create a playlist. Include songs your kids love and your go-to songs. Shuffle the playlist and take turns naming the song. Increase the difficulty by requiring title and artist.

7. The Trifecta of Road Trip Games Printables – License plate game printable, check. Road Trip Bingo, check check. I Spy Alphabet Version, triple check!

8. Spot It – Pick five random things, such as a horse, a school bus, a church with a steeple, a construction sign, and a child asleep in a car. When someone in your car spots an item, she says, “Spot it!” and then picks a new thing for the list.

9. Minute to Win It (Car Version) – How many football teams, colors, Disney movies, instruments, pizza toppings can your child name in a minute? Add to the fun by asking your child to say how many he can name before attempting it.

10. Fortunately, Unfortunately – Make up a story together. Each person takes turns adding one sentence to the story. The first sentence starts with “Fortunately.” The next sentence begins with “Unfortunately.” Then back to “Fortunately.” For example: “Fortunately, we left the house early enough to miss most of the traffic. Unfortunately, we left the bathtub water running. Fortunately, our neighbor has a key to the house. Unfortunately, his dog ate it. Fortunately, you hid a spare key.” Unfortunately, this is one of those car games for kids you need to play yourself to find out what happens next.

5 Car Games for Tweens and Teens

11. Cows on My Side – This game works best with four people in the car. Split the car into two teams, the left side team and the right side team. Teams get a point if they see cows on their side of the road. Teams receive two points if they spot a cow doing something other than grazing. And a team earns three points for seeing an unusual farm animal on their side (llamas, yaks, etc). But, if a team spots a cemetery on their opponent’s side and says, “graveyard,” the opposing team loses all their points. The side with the most points at the end of the trip wins the game.

12. Hey, Mr. DJ – This one isn’t really a car game, but letting your tween or teen take over the music is an easy way to get to know your child a little better. Ask her about her favorite song of the moment. Why does she like that artist? How does she find new music?

13. Mental Dominoes – Start the game by saying a word. The next person picks a word somehow connected to the first one. Whoever goes next picks a word related to the previous word. For example, you say DOG. The next person says BONE. Then someone says DINOSAUR.

14. Team Trivia – Load up your phone with popular trivia apps like this one and this one, and let the fun and games begin. Split into teams or not. The only real rule is no Googling! And, hey, let the winner pick where you stop for lunch.

15. Movie Mania – Start by naming an actor. The next person needs to name a movie the actor starred in. The next person names another actor in that movie. Then, the next person recalls a different movie starring the new actor. If someone gets stumped, she’s out. Play continues until only the winner is left.

What are your favorite car games for kids?

The post 15 Family Car Games to Beat the Boredom Bug appeared first on iMOM.

It’s the everyday photos that really capture who our kids are. Taking pictures of kids is fun, but this summer, let’s try to remember the little moments with these 15 photo prompts. Treat your child like wildlife and take that stealth photo. Go on. You’ll be glad you did.

1. Making Memories With Friends

Maybe they’re playing with toys or caught up in the world of make believe. Maybe they’re giggling about something, holding hands, or riding bikes. Capture these memories by taking pictures of your kids when they’re just plain happy to be with their friends.

2. Hanging Out at Home

We don’t always think to pull out our phones and capture what’s ordinary in pictures. But it’s these little moments—playing with a sibling, snuggling his lovey, being bored—that happen between the big moments that we should remember.

3. At the Store

I have a multi-frame picture collage hanging in my hall, and one of my favorite photos is of my kids, walking hand-in-hand through Target. I followed behind and took the picture as they were enjoying a quiet moment together.

4. Learning a New Skill

There’s this picture of me leaning against a tree at age 4, arms crossed. My parents had been trying to teach me to ride a bike. Guess who wasn’t cooperating? I like that photo because it captures my frustration, but also, I imagine my parents’ too. Now, I try to remember to do the same with my kids. The lesson is not everything is easy—for kids or parents.

5. Playing Outside in Water

Sprinkler? Pool? Lake or ocean? Water tends to elicit some special smiles with kids. Snap pics of your kids enjoying themselves in their bathing suits or splashing through puddles.

6. Bonding With Teammates

Cheering on the bench. In a huddle during a time out. Giving high-fives at the end of the game. Taking pictures of kids when they’re doing their sport often shows their personality more than a posed picture afterwards—but do that too!

7. Being Sleepy

I love the glazed eye look. Usually, it happens when my kid is on the couch, cuddling a stuffed animal. But I also like taking a picture of him in the morning, seconds before he wakes up.

8. In Different Lighting

Snap pictures of your kids in the early morning when the sun is just rising and in the evening if you’re out playing in the yard or taking a walk. The different lighting can capture that golden glow of childhood. It might be the one you cherish the most.

9. As a Close-up

Focus your lens on the bottoms of her feet. Or the tops of her hands. The back of his neck or the curve of his cheek. Your child is unique in every little way.

10. In Profile, Unexpected

This is one to frame, especially if you’ve caught a particular emotion: awe, surprise, contentment, joy.

11. Laughing

You have to be quick to catch him mid-laugh with baby teeth—or gaps—on full display.

12. In a Group Selfie

Don’t let the summer pass you by without taking pictures of yourself with the kids. You won’t always have someone nearby to do a formal shot, and that’s fine. Actually, those tend to look a little stiff anyway. Just stick your phone out and let your kids drape themselves over you. Get a pic at the park, the beach, and everywhere in between.

13. Getting Ready

Kids pulling on socks or buttoning a jacket soundd ordinary, but when you capture their focus and excitement before they get somewhere, you realize these are special moments too.

14. Lost in Her Own World

What your child enjoys at age 4 will be different at age 7 or 10. Whatever it is (Finger-painting? Stacking blocks? Coloring?), even if it’s only for a few minutes before dinner, snap a photo to remember another sliver of her life.

15. Savoring the Moment

Sometimes, you just have to put your phone down and take it all in. Soak in the details of the time and place and enjoy being present with your child!

Tip: When you’re done taking pictures of your kids this summer, turn your favorites into a photo book to remember all the small moments that brought you joy.

What are some of your favorite pictures you’ve taken of your kids?

The post 15 Photos to Snap of Your Kids This Summer appeared first on iMOM.

I’m grateful for my job and love what I do, but being a working mom over the summer is physically and emotionally tough. I want the lazy mornings, endless snacking, and pruney fingers from the pool. Instead, I juggle schedules and attempt to squeeze in a summer bucket list activity on a day off. Do you feel stress that doesn’t jibe with the sunshine and lemonade mood, too? If so, I see you, and I’m with you. Here’s why summer is tough for working moms and what we can do to enjoy it a little more.

A working mom has to be in two places at once mentally.

You’re at the office, and you feel a buzz buzz from your phone. There’s a photo of your kiddo petting a koala at the zoo’s day camp. Or you work from home, and your kids are in the back yard running through the sprinkler while you chat with a colleague on a Zoom call. Your mind is in two places, and it’s hard not to feel like you’re shorting everyone—work isn’t getting your best, and your kids aren’t either.

And we get jealous of stay-at-home moms, even though we know we shouldn’t.

I wish I could be the mom who says, “I’m ready for summer to be over. These kids are getting on my nerves!” Now, trust me. I get it, and I don’t blame stay-at-home moms, but I’m still envious. You get to jump into summer with both feet. I’m over here putting a toe in while my hands are still on my laptop.

I want to be the activities director for a change instead of signing them up for camps. I don’t want to have to jam activities into the weekends. Stay-at-home moms, I know it takes sacrifices to do what you do, but over the summer, we working moms wish we could trade places with you.

Then we think about our kids and worry.

When you pictured being a mom and what the seasons would bring, you probably didn’t imagine summer being a whirlwind of camps, lunch packing, and checking in to ensure your older kids made it into the house safely after being dropped off by the carpool.

As a working mom, I always wonder if my kids are having the summer experience that every kid deserves. Have they been cheated out of their childhoods? Am I prioritizing the wrong things? I’m not saying the thoughts are rational, but they’re there.

And there’s not a clear solution.

I love that our articles on iMOM always give some encouragement and practical ways to work through whatever parenting problem you’re dealing with today. But I don’t know if there’s a tip or trick this time. We could say, “Working moms, summer is what you make it,” or “Do what you can and trust that the great memories will be created.” Both of those are true, but they’re not quite enough. Speaking for myself, my heart is still heavy.

But there is a bright side.

While you’re working, your kids are learning really important character traits like independence, resilience, and social skills. Sure, you want to be there having fun, but the trade-off is a win for them. And I promise there’s another mom (or 50) just like you in your neighborhood and at your kids’ school who feels all the things you feel—the two places at once, the jealousy, the worry, the stress. She’s taking a random day off in June and a few in July, trying to make the most of every minute.

Your kids and her kids are making great summer memories. They’re getting sweaty, snacking all day, playing in the grass, and staying up late. And while they do all those special summery things, they see you working. But not just at your paying job. They see you putting in the work day in and day out to give them a great childhood. And we see it, too.

What do you do as a working mom to enjoy summer with your kids?

The post Working Moms—We See You This Summer appeared first on iMOM.

That one question sparked a summer-long quest to learn more about ocean habitats, sea mammals, and even migration tracking of great white sharks. I didn’t realize pink dolphins could help prevent the “summer slide,” where kids lose about a month’s worth of learning during the break. If you want to prevent summer slide in your child, pick from these 42 ideas so fun your child won’t even know they’re educational (but you will)! 

Activities to Do With You

1. Teach your child to cook by following recipes.

2. Read aloud a chapter a day.

3. Visit a museum—science, kids, art, history, aviation, trains. There are over 35,000 museums in the United States alone!

4. Go to a National Park and explore the free Junior Ranger Program.

5. Attend a local play or theatre production.

6. Try a new-to-you cuisine. Bonus points if the menu is printed in English and another language.

7. Build something together with all those LEGOs. 

8. Start a small garden with easy-to-grow food, such as cucumbers or tomatoes.

9. Play games like UNO, SkipBo, Bananagrams, or Boggle. And if you want one game to last all summer, pull out Monopoly. You just might finish by Labor Day.   

10. Give your child a budget and shop for a local food bank together. Let her take the lead.

11. Create a family tree and share stories about your family members. Who knew your great-great-grandmother could help you prevent summer slide?

12. Go stargazing. Learn about the different constellations, phases of the moon, and chart the International Space Station as it flies overhead. 

13. Uncover more about your town’s history. When was it founded? By whom? Anyone famous born there or pass through? 

14. Attend a hardware store’s kids’ woodworking event to build something.

15. Hold your own backyard Olympics. Time the races and put your child in charge of calculating scores. 

16. Experiment with different slime recipes.

17. Play hopscotch. 

18. Go geocaching.

19. Visit a zoo, aquarium, or farm to learn about different animals. Check your library for animal-themed events, too.

​​20. Head to a pick-your-own-fruit farm and discover firsthand where food comes from locally. 

21. Learn about composting and reduce food waste by turning scraps into nutrient-rich fertilizer. (That will really help your backyard garden you planted in number 8.)

Activities to Do Independently to Prevent Summer Slide

22. Watch a documentary. Consider March of the Penguins, A Beautiful Planet, The Short Game, or Spellbound. 

23. Write a letter to grandparents.

24. Join the summer reading challenge at your local library.

25. Play Wordle, and prevent summer slide by boosting vocabulary.

26. Put 500- or 1,000-piece puzzles together.

27. Give your child a paper map to plan out the best route for your summer trip.

28. Create a comic book.

29. Go on a photography scavenger hunt. 

30. Become a citizen scientist by keeping a bird-watching journal and identifying all the bird species flocking to your back yard.

31. Learn basic phrases in a foreign language. Duolingo is a favorite app for language learners. 

32. Create new LEGO creations with your old bricks. The Brickit App takes a photo of your child’s bricks and then offers suggestions on what to build. 

33. Read a book and then watch the movie or series based on that book. 

34. Pick up a new skill like juggling, yo-yo tricks, or origami.

35. Learn about basic geology, and collect interesting rocks.

36. Try beginner-friendly coding platforms, like Scratch, to learn basic programming concepts.

37. Solve crossword puzzles or sudoku. 

38. Write and direct a play. Perform it over dinner!

39. Research how to attract beneficial insects to your garden (see number 8), and build a welcoming bug shelter using natural materials.

40. Plan a dream vacation with a set budget. Factor in costs for travel, hotels, food, and activities. Then pitch the idea to the whole family.

41. Prevent summer slide by listening to kid-focused podcasts, such as BrainsOn!, But Why? and Story Pirates.

42. Keep a scrapbook over the summer.

What educational activities or programs do you incorporate into your summer routine to keep your kids engaged in learning during the break?

The post 42 Fun Ideas for Stopping the Summer Slide appeared first on iMOM.

I tried to loosen up one day last year. One. We had a “yes day,” and I learned that saying yes isn’t as scary or risky as I make it out to be. I’ve decided I’m going to try to be a “yes mom” this summer and say yes more often than no. Who’s with me? C’mon. Make this your first yes! With these 5 pledges, we’ll get through it together.

1. To be a yes mom, I pledge to focus on what we have to gain.

On our yes day, one of my boys said, “Can I eat my Eggo frozen?” Most days, I would’ve said no because frozen waffles are gross. Not that day! Now, he eats a frozen waffle once a week for breakfast, and you know what? It saves me the trouble of pulling out the toaster.

Being a yes mom could make this your kids’ best summer ever, and not because they get to eat weird foods. They’ll gain a spirit of adventure and inquisitiveness, knowing you’ll probably give a thumbs up.

2. I pledge to ask why when I want to say no.

Why am I tempted to say no? Is there some legitimate concern, like the thing my kids asked to do is unsafe? (Yes, they’ve asked to get on the roof.) Or is it because “no” is just… easier?

Listen. I get it. We are all tired. We shouldn’t feel mom guilt for turning down a request to make brownies or drive our kids to the movies. But if no is our default because we don’t have the energy or desire to engage, that’s a sign we need to make some changes.

3. I pledge to wisely utilize “but.”

If being a yes mom all summer sounds impossible, remember you’ve always got “but.” It could make giving the green light less intimidating for you.

If your kids ask to stay up and watch a movie and it’s already after 10, instead of a hard no, you could try, “Yes, but we’re still going to church in the morning.” Sometimes, adding that stipulation is enough to make your kids consider whether the ask is worth it and could help them grow in responsibility.

4. I pledge to be more thoughtful.

The other night, my sons asked if they could take a lap around the neighborhood on their bikes. A bike ride wasn’t part of the series of events I’d laid out in my mind for the evening, so I said no. Then I paused and said, “Actually. Sure. You can take a lap, but then you need to take your showers.”

Sometimes, I think my kids need to see a mom who’s 100 percent confident in her every decision. Otherwise, they’ll smell my weakness, and I’ll lose all credibility. But what my kids need more is to notice me being intentional with the choices I make. When our kids see that our responses are thought out, they’ll be more likely to appreciate the yeses and abide by the nos.

5. I pledge to try to see things through their eyes.

Did your kids put on their suits and ask to play in the sprinkler just moments after you opened a water bill that made your eyes pop out of your head? Take a deep breath, remember that leaping through hose water is one of life’s simple pleasures, and give them 15 minutes to play.

In a survey on parenting in America by Pew Research, about four in 10 parents (41%) say being a parent is tiring, and 29% say it is stressful all or most of the time. The stress level most of us carry doesn’t help us be fun-loving, go-with-the-flow moms. So when my kids ask for something, I am going to try to set my stress aside and imagine how they see the situation as kids who (Thank God!) don’t have the same cares as me.

What’s one thing that holds you back from being a yes mom? Which of these pledges could help with that?

The post Could You Be a Yes Mom This Summer? appeared first on iMOM.