If you are a parent, chances are your kids are now out of school for the summer. How are you going to keep your kids and all their neighborhood friends busy and entertained this summer?  Well, I have 5 easy tips for making your house the go-to house so you’ll always know where they are and what they’re doing and stay sane in the process.

Tip #1 – House Rules

First, establish your house rules.

• Where are they allowed/not allowed to play in the house and the yard
• What games are acceptable
• How are disagreements to be handled
• What are the consequences when rules are broken

Kids with boundaries tend to get along better, be happier and have more fun because they know what’s expected.

Tip #2 – Healthy Snacking

Have plenty of healthy drinks and delicious snacks for your child to share with their friends. Not only does this keep blood sugar levels (and tempers) even but also helps your child learn to share. The fewer pre-packaged or processed food you use, the healthier the snack…just let the kids help with preparation to save your time. Ask each child’s parents about any food allergies. Some easy and inexpensive ideas are:

• Sliced apples and peanut butter for dipping.  A spiral apple cutter or circular apple corer tool is fun, safe, and the kids love to get involved in preparation.
• Fresh or dried fruits, sunflower seeds, and string cheese appeal to little appetites.
• Banana Dogs are peanut butter, jelly and a banana cut lengthwise on a hot dog bun
• Ants on a log are cream cheese and raisins on celery.
• Give each child an English muffin as an individual pizza and let them choose their own toppings.

Make sure they drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.  Soft drinks don’t count!
Pick an international theme and let the kids make suggestions.

Tip #3 Fun Kid Crafting

Put together a craft center with creative projects that promote learning. Dedicate a box, drawer or closet for art supplies with a few craft projects ready in zip lock bags. Each bag could contain any combination of pop-cycle sticks, pipe cleaner, pom-poms, ribbon, buttons, sequins, glitter, rocks, empty toilet paper/paper towel tubes, construction paper, etc.  A community box of paint, hammer and nails, glue, crayons, and markers help the kids learn to share. Crafty examples,

• Give each child a cardboard shoebox and let them hammer nails into the lid to make pictures. Color the picture with crayons, paint, or markers.
• Make pet rocks using paint, glued on pom-poms, sequins, or glitter.
• Make pencil holders or pots to plant herbs/flowers using empty tin cans, construction paper and markers.
• Make necklaces or bracelets with string and buttons.

I remember as a kid going over to my friends house one day and his mom pulled out the fish head left over from dinner and said “Ok now, let’s inspect and learn about fish.” It was one of the most memorable times of my childhood.

Tip #4 – Cleaning House

Keep your home tidy, sanitized and clean. In my experience everyone is happier when surroundings are clean and things are where they belong. I am so lucky because I have a steam cleaning machine that makes housecleaning faster and easier so I have even more time to spend with my kids and their friends.  My steam machine sanitizes without chemicals or scrubbing so there are no allergic reactions to harsh chemicals for me as I clean or for anyone who’s in the room I’m cleaning. I’m calm and confident that I can tackle any mess quickly and easily so there is no anger or yelling over accidents and spills.

• I can keep up on fingerprints, muddy footprints, spills and accidents as they happen.  No need to wait for a big spring cleaning day for things to look their best.
• My steamer lets me sanitize my bathrooms quickly and easily no matter how many different guests are using them.
• Steam keeps my kitchen totally germ free even after cutting up meats so I don’t have to use bleach-based cleaning chemicals where fresh food is prepared.
• I like steaming the kid’s toys to keep them clean, germ-free and looking like new. I really think we are all healthier than when they were continually passing nasty cold and flu germs kid to kid.
• If you’ve got little boys with stinky tennis shoes, you really have to get a steamer!

I save time because steaming is so fast and I save money because I can completely skip the household cleaning aisle at the grocery store.
I have real peace-of-mind knowing I don’t ever need to use or store dangerous chemicals in my home or worry about child-proofing a cleaning supply cupboard.
I get the kids to put their toys and sports equipment back where they found them before they get out another one so we don’t have the chaos that too much stuff out of place creates.  This is one rule it really pays to enforce.

Tip #5 – Respect The Kids

Take time to really know your children’s friends. Talk to them and actually listen to their answers.

• Find out two facts about each child and remember those two facts when conversing with them in the future.
• Know what TV the kids are watching and music they are listening to so you know if the content and lyrics are appropriate.
• Meet or speak to their parents so they get a feel for your parenting style and you understand theirs.  What’s allowed/not allowed at their home should be respected at yours and vice versa. Exchange cell phone numbers for emergencies.

Cherish their perspective.  Kids say the cutest things!  Often the simplest point of view is the most profound.

I guarantee if you practice even one of these 5 tips you will be a step ahead of the rest of the parents out there. Your children’s friends will want to come to your house to play because you have made it a safe, fun and feel-good place to be. Soon you will be the most talked about parent in the neighborhood!

For more information about cleaning with a steam cleaner visit  www.sargentsteam.com.
For more kid’s craft ideas visit www.kidsdomain.com/craft/
For more healthy snack ideas visit  www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/kids/snackideas.html

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