Family Summer Survival Guide

Summer is in full swing and those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to be home with our kids (which is pure luck by the way) have probably been challenged to figure out how to keep the kids busy and free from destroying the house. Nothing like a bright sunny day, to amp up these little people with boundless energy.

1. Invite some friends to come over and play, these days most parents are working hard to try to make ends meet and by the time we get home we are exhausted and and a bit callous to the needs of sensitive children. Being in an environment where adults whine and complain all day truly drains us. If the traffic isn't one thing it's always another... Friends keep our kids balanced. Make time for your kids to have friend time. This will save you some headaches because other kids keep your kids busy and out of your hair while you can sneak in a little time to wind down. Other kids teach our kids how to be good friends and how to share and just have basic overall social skills.

2. Ask for help: Sometimes things continue without us having the time to address them. We often go through our day and do "adult stuff" cleaning, taking care of business and finding ways to survive in this tough economy. We are all in the same boat and its okay to ask for help so you can get a little break from your kids. Let you kids stay overnight with someone you truly trust, like a family member and ; DO NOT FEEL GUILTY about it! Understand that in order to be good parent you need to tend to your mental, emotional and physical needs before you can take care of someone else. Spend time really thinking, planning and then de-stressing, your kids will understand and thank you. Take a mini vacation for just you. Get a yoga video or whatever it is that helps you relax and truly focus all you energy on unwinding. You deserve a break.

3. Water fun! Set up a slip and side in the yard and let the neighbors come over for a fun day of wet slippery fun. Periodically check on the kids and bring them lemonade, icepops and let them picnic outside, don't forget the sun screen and keep the shades up so you can watch them from the window, take this precious time to read a little, clean or watch a netfilx movie (Laughing out loud ). They are not to come into the house until you tell them to. They will love it! Enjoy your break. Nothing like a cheap little slip and slide to ease your stress.