summer, kids, husband away on trips

Songbird61377

I feel like lately I have been in a mode of "Attempting to save the day", and it's taking a toll. I am making a transition to a summer schedule with the kids at home and husband away on business trips most of the time. Any tips and encouragement would be awesome. Thanks

DawnieB1977

How old are your kids? We finish for the Summer holidays on July 22nd in England. I personally can't wait...I'm a teacher lol. 6 weeks off. My children are 6, 4 and 1 and we'll be out pretty much everyday - at the park, the beach, on the seafront etc. I'll be really active so i hope I lose a few lbs.

tulips_and_tea

Yes, how old are your children and how many do you have? Are you looking for things to keep them busy (and out of your hair)? A little more info would be helpful.

SarahJurina

Hey! I am in a similar situation. We started Summer Break about 3 weeks ago. My kids - 8 and 5 years - are very active. I love being active as well, but we live in Florida, so the heat can take its toll on your energy supply.

We go swimming a lot, and we go to the beach on weekends. But, if you aren't in the water, it can be difficult to go outside during the day. My husband works until about 8pm every evening, and usually he works on Saturdays, so I am home with the kids most of the time. I'd be interested in trading ideas for fun-filled days! Where do you live?

Songbird61377

Wow long days for you! My husband travels to California, we live in PA, hot and humid too. My kids are similar age, 8 6 4.

Songbird61377

For me the situation is purely motivational to stay focused and reset at this point. I've been going over my calories regularly. Any time I'm going through a transition of some sort (on top of everything else my husband is in midst of changing jobs, meaning moving our family again), I guess I react to stress by eating. Certain reminders like, image of me in a bathing suit helps but not lately, so I thought I'd reach out to ask for some helpful tips.

DawnieB1977

SarahJurina wrote: »

Hey! I am in a similar situation. We started Summer Break about 3 weeks ago. My kids - 8 and 5 years - are very active. I love being active as well, but we live in Florida, so the heat can take its toll on your energy supply.

We go swimming a lot, and we go to the beach on weekends. But, if you aren't in the water, it can be difficult to go outside during the day. My husband works until about 8pm every evening, and usually he works on Saturdays, so I am home with the kids most of the time. I'd be interested in trading ideas for fun-filled days! Where do you live?

Want to swap? Spend Summer on the south east coast of England? I'd love a Summer in the pool in Florida

We do have some sunny days, but there are no open air pools here and it's rare for people to have their own swimming pool unless they're rich. You can swim in the sea, but it's the English Channel, so not really that tempting.

My kids love going out on their scooters on the seafront so we do that a lot. Our seafront has a bit with water jets, and there are some things for kids to play on too, like a log to climb on, and a climbing frame. There are a couple of nice parks, and we often go to another town on the train for the park there, or soft play. Plus there's the beach, although I have to stop my 13 month old eating the pebbles.

My husband does shift work, so one week in two he doesn't get home until 10pm, so I also spend a lot of time on my own with the kids.

Is there some sort of air conditioned soft play where you live? Or a sports centre for the kids? We can go to the gymnastics academy every weekday until 1:30 and the kids can play on the trampolines, beams, rings etc and they've also got a bouncy castle.

If we stay at home the kids love playing with Lego or play doh.

Do you have a garden? Send them out with water pistols.

Songbird61377

Thanks

Lizzy622

Do you have any rail trails near you? We have tons in NY. They are a great morning activity and pool in the afternoon. Pack a healthy lunch and snacks. I also had lots of sidewalk chalk and paints to keep the kids busy outside. A small kiddy pool is a great place to clean them off after painting. I find the more time I can spend outside the less snacking and munching I do. The middle of the day when it is oppressive outside is a good time for family reading time in air conditioning. We read most of the Harry Potter series this way.
Remember hydration is key and water rich fruits and vegetables are also low in calories and make terrific snacks or summer salads. I usually had a huge bowl of cut up cucumber on the table during reading time and the kids would munch away on healthy stuff.

SarahJurina

Great ideas! Thanks! Sometimes they just whine that they don't want to go outside, I guess I should just make them, because they always love it.

Found this awesome post for outdoor activities: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/05/50-outdoor-summer-activities-for-kids.html

We have a rail trail nearby, and it's pretty shady. Perhaps we can take the bicycles out tomorrow

DawnieB1977

SarahJurina wrote: »

Great ideas! Thanks! Sometimes they just whine that they don't want to go outside, I guess I should just make them, because they always love it.

Found this awesome post for outdoor activities: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/05/50-outdoor-summer-activities-for-kids.html

We have a rail trail nearby, and it's pretty shady. Perhaps we can take the bicycles out tomorrow

Yeah, my son whines occasionally, but he loves going out when we're out. My 4 year old daughter always wants to go out. My 1 year old gets excited when she knows we're going out.

What's a rail trail?

Lizzy622

rail trail - old train rails turned into walking, biking and cross country skiing trails

DawnieB1977

Lizzy622 wrote: »

rail trail - old train rails turned into walking, biking and cross country skiing trails

Sounds good. Not sure we have anything like that in England. Well, I'm sure there is disused railway line, but it's not been turned into anything.