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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 06 2008 at 7:22pm | IP Logged
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For children 6-7 and under, who can benefit so much from spending many hours out of doors... how do you fit summer in the south into a CM education?
Today was so hot and humid here there was no way the kids could play outside. In the early morning, when it's cooler, the mosquitoes will carry you away. And you can't spend hours every day at the pool or beach, not unless you want leather-skinned children by age ten.
I really struggle in the summer. Ds was bouncing off the walls by this afternoon. He is used to being out, riding his bike, roaming the yard... now we are in "lock-up" for the next 3-4 months. It is a tough transition.
Are there ways I can bring nature inside to him more? An aquarium? Terrarium? Anything that won't translate into huge amounts of work for me but at the same time keep his interest for more than 3 minutes?
I am struggling right now to get my non-napping 3 yo who is getting up each morning at 5:15 through the day. My energy is low. I have been looking around, trying to find an easy science program to follow through the summer. I hear the TV calling me with "nature videos"- but I don't want us to become couch slugs all summer.
Oh, help...
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: June 06 2008 at 8:06pm | IP Logged
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I feel your pain. Well, I felt it during the colder winter months more when I feared the cold (I'm in the NE), but we, too, have mosquito issues at our house, and when my boys come in after summer evenings spent outdoors looking like pock victims, it is so hard to know what is "best." I grew up in Alabama, and we certainly did not spend the hottest part of the day outside during the summer.
We've seriously contemplated a large screened in porch/room and will most likely pursue that route in the next year or two. Not a perfect alternative, but I certainly find them a nice way to commune a bit more with nature without getting close enough for it to itch or burn
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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JSchaaf
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| Posted: June 06 2008 at 8:11pm | IP Logged
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I used to hesitate taking my children to fast food places with indoor playgrounds-they're usually filthy and I don't want my kids overdosing on fast food.
But-in the heat of the summer they're great. We just get drinks or a small cone and play for an hour or two. They get that physical exercise they need and I don't need to be out in the heat.
As far as indoor nature, how about local aquariums or natural science museums? You can enjoy THEIR a/c and still do some nature study. We go to the Denver Nature and Science museum often, the girls can sketch birds without them flying away!
I don't know if this will be any help to you, but know you are not alone!!
Jennifer
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: June 06 2008 at 9:20pm | IP Logged
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Well, I know what you're going through. It's humid and hot here most days too (though this week it's been "dry" by our standards and hot). My kids love soccer too much to stay indoors even in the heat. They play outside and come in for frequent drinks. Sometimes I run the sprinklers for a bit. We do go to the pool early several times a week. Once unbearable August (and late July) hits, we'll have to move indoors more. Museums, indoor play dates, ice rink or other indoor sports/activities help. Mine also focus on painting, crafts, clay, board games (of course, when they're young, that means lots of mommy help required). I fill the tub and let them play every day.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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Mackfam
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| Posted: June 06 2008 at 9:21pm | IP Logged
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Melinda,
Love your topic line!!!
I treat nature study in the summer just as I do in the dead of winter - we take our nature walks from indoors. I spend a lot of time and energy cultivating the gardens outside the windows. We hang hummingbird food, I've planted a butterfly garden. This past year my dh put in a smallish pond in front of our kitchen windows. It's not ideal, but neither is a nature walk that is full of wasps, humidity thick enough to cut and a very cranky, dripping wet mom packing a 3 month old and 3 year old.
Like others, we make trips to local Aquariums and Nature Centers during the summer. Check out local pond or bird shops. The ones here have beautiful natural settings to enjoy.
Also, I use the summer to set out favorite nature treasures collected throughout the year on our nature shelf - egg shells, butterflies and other insects (dead of course ) rocks, moss, etc. The kids love revisiting them - and it's the only time I set out a whole buffet of them.
I do send the kids out to play very early in the morning for an hour or so. It's still hot, but not dripping, and boys must move!
Commiserating from the sauna down here...
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Maria B.
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| Posted: June 07 2008 at 7:23am | IP Logged
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These are all wonderful ideas.
I have found the key to getting the kids outside to be WATER! This can be water games (Family Fun magazine always has some great ideas for this or you can look on their website), sprinklers, slip 'n slides, water balloons, or just the hose. Of course, the pool is included in this.
If they can play in the water for a bit and then keep their wet suits on, they are outside a lot without complaining about the heat.
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Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!
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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 07 2008 at 6:40pm | IP Logged
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Thank you for the fresh inspiration. I always struggle at this time of year. I loaded up on some water balloons and squirt bottles today. Dh took the kids to the pool early, but after lunch we braved the yard. It was 95 degrees in the shade, but thankfully we do have shade in the yard. Ds had a fine time with the balloons, and dd squirted every plant and tree we have.
After an hour they were happy to come in, and the afternoon was much more peaceful.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Charlotte Mason didn't live in the South
