Most children fall behind in reading and math during the summer break.  That’s why when the new school year begins, teachers have to spend the first two months bringing the children “back up to speed” with reviews. 

To help your child keep up with mathematics, try bringing them into the kitchen for the summer.  Invite friends over in varying numbers so your children will have to determine how to extend recipes.  If your recipe feeds four, how much meat would you need to double the recipe, triple it, or quadruple it?  Your children probably won’t complain about having to do math if they have something to look forward to.

Even with gas prices the way they are these days, some families are still planning to drive for vacation.  Ask the children to help determine how far you’ll be able to travel when you fill the gas tank and how much it’ll cost.  You might find that your child can help you find a shorter route that will save you money.

You’re never too young to learn how to handle money.  If you have a yard sale this summer, ask them to make change, as well as allowing them to place some of their own items to sell.  This will help them learn the value of money, and how to keep track of it by helping divvy it up at the end of the sale.

Play games with them.  Scrabble and Boggle are great games to help your child’s spelling while they’re out of school, and they’ll have fun in the process.  Yahtzee and Monopoly are good games for math.  Of course, if you’re children are younger, you may have to play games like Chutes and Ladders or a simpler game.

Go to the library as a family and pick out some books that everyone will enjoy.  Then each night, instead of turning on the TV, have family reading hour.  You may find that your children enjoy having to use their imaginations to see the story that they don’t complain so much when they’re told to turn the TV off.

Get them involved in geocaching.  Geocaching is an activity that the entire family can enjoy together.  You get directions to a secret cache of items that you must find.  Most of the time, these items are hidden in forests or someplace not easily accessible.  Not only will you have to learn about reading maps and a compass, it’ll be a great opportunity for your family to enjoy the outdoors together.

If you look around, there are plenty of great places to pick up some summer learning.  Think outside of the schoolroom and you may find that the best places are right in your own home or very nearby.

Recommended Resource: 

Kids Activity Calendar Weekly Activities, Crafts and Games all about the Alphabet For Your Preschooler.  Each week you will receive coloring sheets and worksheets in your email along with craft and activity suggestions and even a snack list that incorporates the letter of the week. What a fun way for your little ones to learn the alphabet and much more.

Reading Solutions for Kids - Resource which aids in teaching children to read.

Zoobooks - Turn a youngster’s love of animals into a love of reading!

It is up to us as parents to provide financial prowess in teaching kids how to handle money. Here are some tips on how to accomplish this difficult process.

Kids learn by example.  If you are in debt, odds are they will be too.  You need to teach fiscal responsibility at an early stage.  The earlier you discuss money with your kids, the better prepared they will become.  Open up a savings account with your kids; allow them to deposit and make withdrawals. Give them the option to use the account in whichever way they decide. By allowing them this freedom to choose, you are also giving them the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them.  Always be there in case they need your advice in this regard.

Give them an allowance. If they run out of money before the following week; do not replenish it.  This will teach them about choices; the good and the bad.  This is especially true if they are saving to buy something special. If they use their money unwisely, and cannot buy that which they were saving for, a valuable lesson will be learned.

Do not spoil your kids by giving them everything they want.  Give them just enough money via a weekly allowance and no more.  If they choose to buy something you think is not appropriate, discuss it with them.  Teach them about the importance of saving money and what they can look forward to as they get older.  Give them examples of your own experience as a child, particularly if you had a problem handling money.

Finally, teach them the pitfalls of borrowing. If they ask for money to buy a certain item; inform them they will have to pay it back with interest.  Tell them exactly how much they will have to pay back and figure out together how long it would take.  Undoubtedly, they may change their mind; but if not, stick to the terms you set.  Teaching your kids how to handle money begins with you. Whether you were a saver or a spender, it is incumbent upon you to pass on to your child all the tools he or she needs to make worthwhile decisions; now and in the future. 

 In today’s hectic world, it’s not always easy to find ME TIME. In fact, sometimes we might feel guilty about wanting a bit more of it. But in reality, without time to unwind or to pursue our own interests we can end up a tightly wound ball of nerves ready to explode. That’s not goof for you or your family.

Download this free guide and learn:

• The benefits of me time.
• Re-evaluating how you’re currently spending your time.
• Finding the time YOU need.
• Pitfalls to avoid.
• …and more.

Visit http://schmoozins.com/free-time-for-me-report/522 to download your free report

This Guide is Brought to You By:  This guide is generously provided by Journey to Joy, your guide to a more fulfilling life as a mom.

*You will need Adobe

I just wanted to spread the word about Life Coaching and what it can do to help just about anyone. No, not every coach is suited for every client but the right coach/client combination is such powerful tool.I hear different variations of the following questions and statements a lot: “What can a coach do for me?”, “I can’t afford to pay a coach!”, “What does SHE know that I don’t know?”, “I don’t need a stinkin’ Coach!” Ok, well I tossed the word “stinkin’” in there (smile) but I do know there are many people who could benefit from the power of coaching but feel they don’t need it.

Well hopefully the following can open some eyes to the magic of this wonderful tool!

Coaching is an effective process used to support individuals in creating something new for themselves. I work side by side with my clients coaching them by providing perspective and support for self-knowledge as they accomplish their business and personal goals.

I help women achieve balance and cultivate the tools necessary for them to evolve into a life filled with happiness and serenity. I believe all women have the tools they need inside to lead a more fulfilling life. I simply guide them along an empowering path that will awaken these tools, focus on their passion and ultimately lead them to a more fulfilled self. If you are ready to find your way to a more balanced you, I will be your guide.

Life coaches are great and act as your personal cheerleader. There are many benefits to having a Personal Life Coach and here are just a few. Coaching is a valuable process for people looking to:

• design life intentions that include both your business and personal goals.
• make meaningful personal changes that reduce stress and simplify your life.
• free up energy and other resources to attract what you want for your life now.
• enhance the quality of your communication and relationships
• work through a career or life transition
• achieve better work/life balance
• gain clarity, focus and direction

Coaching is also for those that are successful and growing entrepreneurs, where everything is going really well, and you would just appreciate a neutral sounding board who will give you straight-up honest feedback and on-going support.

Please visit me at Real Life Coaching. I would like to offer you a gift of a free sample session. There really is nothing like coaching. The best way to learn about it is to experience it for yourself! I would love to introduce you to the world of coaching in an absolutely free, ‘no strings attached’ sample session. If you are interested, simply e-mail me and we can set up an appointment.

Looking to make your next event a memorable one? The Party Zone offers discount party supplies and gift ideas to help you create memorable events and enhance your parties theme. Browse our unique selection of affordable party supplies, novelties, accessories, gifts, gift baskets and favors. Sign-up to receive notifications of your own upcoming events; birthday’s, anniversaries, parties and more. Just one of many benefits The Party Zone  offers it’s shoppers.

Summer time is here and there’s no better time the now to get the whole family together for a luau! The Party Zone can help you plan your party with ease. We’ve got decorations, costumes, paper supplies, music and more! We have hundreds of themes to choose from for all of your celebrations. We carry all of the supplies you need to make your special event remembered. Including gifts, cups, plates, invitations, music, decorations and more! And with easy online ordering makes The Party Zone the place to be when planning your next event. 

Here are just a few of our Party Themes:

• Valentine Day
• St. Patrick’s Day

• Holiday Parties

• Wedding/Bridal Party

• Decade Theme Party

• Anniversary Party

• Luau Party

• 50’s Party

• Tropical Paradise

• Safari Party

• Fiesta Fun

As kids look forward to the last day of school, most middle school public school teachers remind their students to read at least 25 books over the summer.  While this is certainly a daunting challenge, there are ways reading can be included in fun summer ideas for kids.

While it is estimated that school kids put in more hours than working adults, they too need a bit of a break. The first week of vacation should be devoted to rest and relaxation. This can then be followed by weekly trips to the library wherein kids can choose their own reading material specifically in topics which interest them. All year long they are being told what to read. By giving them the opportunity to choose books they like, they won’t feel so overwhelmed. Allowing them to decide what to read will give them the flexibility to seek different genres such as Harry Potter, and the ability to engage in this ongoing adventure.

Children are under a great deal of pressure during the school year. Summer should be a time of fun, but it can also be a time of learning as well. If your kids love to read, the trips to the library will be exciting for them. If they are hesitant, allow them to browse around. If they don’t choose any books the first time around, try again a week later. They may come upon a book or books which grab their attention. You can be assured once they find a topic of interest, especially if it’s a serialized book, they will want to return.

Fun summer ideas for kids can include reading as part of their summer enjoyment.  It all depends upon how it is approached. While the 25-book requirement may or may not be reached, it is important for the kids not to feel pressured, but allowed to read at their own pace. If they manage to read 1 book every 2 weeks, that’s a plus. Whether they take a book to the beach or read aloud at home, reading should be a fun and relaxing time for kids.

I love getting my “tackle it” list onto by blog. There is something about writing it all down that really inspires to to get it all done.

Here is what I need to tackle today and during the entire week:

1. Continue on my mission to add at least 1 article a day to my Real Life Solutions site.

2 . Keep working to get a sponsor for the Parenting My Teen Podcast and I am also on the lookout for a great guest (this was on my list last week too).

3. Hit the Grocery store during lunch time - I find that Tuesdays are really great days for shopping - the stores are just about empty.

4.  Hire out the writing of articles to generate traffic to Real Life Guidance.

5. Start planning something **HUGE** for our 10year wedding anniversary (mid-August) - I am thinking about a weekend get-a-way.

So, do you care to share what you have already tackled and/or still need to tackle today?

As busy moms we all want to provide healthy meals for our families. But sometimes we get so overwhelmed that by the time we hit the kitchen, we’re too stressed to think about changing our habits for the better. Setting a goal is great, but without a plan of action, it’s not going to happen. A plan can help you to meet your goal of eating healthier and won’t overwhelm you.

The following are some tips to help you baby step your way to a healthier diet:

Get out of your rut. Many times, we all decide we can’t stick to an eating plan because it limits us to certain foods or cuts out entire food groups, like carbohydrates or dairy products. Many diets are set up this way, but eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to go on a restricted diet. There is so much variety among fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts. Try a new food like kefir or miso soup, or a new recipe from a healthy cookbook. You never know if you’ll find a new food you and your family will love.

Make it easier on yourself. Take advantage of cookbooks, ready to use foods, and meal planning options that you can find online to help you to create a plan that works for you. Don’t try to figure out what to cook for dinner when you’re starving, because your body will be crying out for sugar at that time. Be proactive and have a plan, and stock your pantry and fridge with healthier options.

Start with just one meal. Choosing one meal at a time to improve will help you stay focused and not feel overwhelmed. This does not mean you should eat junk or fast food the rest of the day, but focusing on one meal at a time can make the step to healthier eating a little easier. As an example, switch from cold breakfast cereals that may be high in sugars to a cooked whole grain like oatmeal, or even a yummy fruit salad for breakfast.

Taking each of these steps one at a time could really help to launch you onto a plan that will work for you. Remember it does not have to be difficult - and taking baby steps means the changes are more likely to stick!

Make healthy eating simpler with free whole foods recipes from www.NaturalMomsRecipes.com