Gathering the Extended Family
If you can manage to have one member of the family install a pool, you have a natural gathering place. They start out in a little wading pool and gradually progress to the larger pool, initially accompanied by an adult, and then with floaties and vests and tubes, and, eventually, solo! Nothing entertains quite like water can, and it is delightful to watch them splishin’ and a splashin’!
We have a wonderful time when we all gather at our daughter’s above ground pool, as you can see by the pictures. The younger ones aspire to be doing the things the older ones can. There are any number of water games to play, and, as grandparents, we felt it our responsibility to teach them several of them. “Lady (or Gentleman) Overboard” is a made-up game from going up to the uncles’ camp on a lake in Maine. The player sits on the ladder or platform (depending on his/her level of dare deviltry) and the mc poses a question that the child is apt to know the answer to, such as “What is the capital of the U.S?” and “Where do rivers begin?”, choosing the level of difficult appropriate to the age and education of the child. If answered correctly, ask another. If answered incorrectly, the child must jump into the water. Now, as simple as this may appear, they will play this for hours, as long as there is not a long waiting time while you think up the questions! And you must be sure that they are not too easy or too hard; kids have a natural instinct and sense when you are fooling with them. I cannot explain the durability of this game, but I am happy to play it with them, though I often run out of questions before they lose interest. You can choose from many categories, much like Jeopardy, but remember that you have to know the answers!
Because we go to one sibling’s house, we try to chip in for things like paper goods, condiments, drinks, etc. No one should bear the cost alone. These things placed in a basket or big tub that can be filled with ice and used to keep drinks cold outside make great Christmas and birthday gifts, depending on when the birthdays are in the year. We call and tell what each will bring, from hot dogs, chicken, steak and burgers to pasta salad, tossed salad, fruit salad, pickles, chips, rolls, and, of course, dessert. If everyone does his/her part, we end up with a tasty meal whose cost has been shared equally. We try to keep a constant supply of graham crackers, Hershey squares and marshmallows to make s’mores. During corn season we can do away with a lot of the extras and relish the delicious summer treat. I bough little corn holders that go into the end of the cob on both sides and the children can then hold the ears without the heat causing them to drop them onto the ground, deck or water!
When the children come out of the water, they also need things to do, and this is a good place to let them use their creativity. Ryan used the croquet mallets to make goggles, and then tried roller-skating on the deck. They love to swing in the hammock, play catch or volleyball or swing. Running around in the back yard uses up tons of energy and causes them to fade early and stay asleep longer.
Be sure to have tons of sun block and bug spray available. Even if the container claims that it is a waterproof sunscreen, liberally reapply it often. Be wary of ticks and mosquitoes. If possible, have the children wear hats. And don’t forget to cover yourself as well.
Little tables help the smaller ones sit down and eat their meal. So often today life is lived on the run, and families do not have as many opportunities to break bread together. Children need this experience on a regular basis. They need to practice the art of “dining”, even if it is with finger foods and in bathing suits. Talking with others at the table, asking for things to be passed, excusing oneself to leave the table, cleaning up after you are done, and waiting until everyone has finished the main meal before getting dessert are all a part of dining etiquette which children will not learn if they do not get to actually practice these table arts. It is also an ideal time to teach about recycling and composting.
And most of all, join in with them and just relax, chat them up, and have a jolly good time. You will remember these halcyon days for years and years, especially if you take pictures in the same settings over several years. How they love to see themselves progress!
Tip #29: Try to find a place to gather for summer outings where the extended family can be together. Playing with cousins and having aunts and uncles around to share in the eating, game playing and even discipline create lasting bonds and fond memories. Children feel a part of something larger when the group expands to include other relatives. Teach them polite manners and respect while they are having a good time playing and eating. Shared responsibility only reinforces that “it takes a whole village to raise a child”, only in this case the village is the extended family, led by you, the wise and wonderful grandparents!
If you can manage to have one member of the family install a pool, you have a natural gathering place. They start out in a little wading pool and gradually progress to the larger pool, initially accompanied by an adult, and then with floaties and vests and tubes, and, eventually, solo! Nothing entertains quite like water can, and it is delightful to watch them splishin’ and a splashin’!
We have a wonderful time when we all gather at our daughter’s above ground pool, as you can see by the pictures. The younger ones aspire to be doing the things the older ones can. There are any number of water games to play, and, as grandparents, we felt it our responsibility to teach them several of them. “Lady (or Gentleman) Overboard” is a made-up game from going up to the uncles’ camp on a lake in Maine. The player sits on the ladder or platform (depending on his/her level of dare deviltry) and the mc poses a question that the child is apt to know the answer to, such as “What is the capital of the U.S?” and “Where do rivers begin?”, choosing the level of difficult appropriate to the age and education of the child. If answered correctly, ask another. If answered incorrectly, the child must jump into the water. Now, as simple as this may appear, they will play this for hours, as long as there is not a long waiting time while you think up the questions! And you must be sure that they are not too easy or too hard; kids have a natural instinct and sense when you are fooling with them. I cannot explain the durability of this game, but I am happy to play it with them, though I often run out of questions before they lose interest. You can choose from many categories, much like Jeopardy, but remember that you have to know the answers!
Because we go to one sibling’s house, we try to chip in for things like paper goods, condiments, drinks, etc. No one should bear the cost alone. These things placed in a basket or big tub that can be filled with ice and used to keep drinks cold outside make great Christmas and birthday gifts, depending on when the birthdays are in the year. We call and tell what each will bring, from hot dogs, chicken, steak and burgers to pasta salad, tossed salad, fruit salad, pickles, chips, rolls, and, of course, dessert. If everyone does his/her part, we end up with a tasty meal whose cost has been shared equally. We try to keep a constant supply of graham crackers, Hershey squares and marshmallows to make s’mores. During corn season we can do away with a lot of the extras and relish the delicious summer treat. I bough little corn holders that go into the end of the cob on both sides and the children can then hold the ears without the heat causing them to drop them onto the ground, deck or water!
When the children come out of the water, they also need things to do, and this is a good place to let them use their creativity. Ryan used the croquet mallets to make goggles, and then tried roller-skating on the deck. They love to swing in the hammock, play catch or volleyball or swing. Running around in the back yard uses up tons of energy and causes them to fade early and stay asleep longer.
Be sure to have tons of sun block and bug spray available. Even if the container claims that it is a waterproof sunscreen, liberally reapply it often. Be wary of ticks and mosquitoes. If possible, have the children wear hats. And don’t forget to cover yourself as well.
Little tables help the smaller ones sit down and eat their meal. So often today life is lived on the run, and families do not have as many opportunities to break bread together. Children need this experience on a regular basis. They need to practice the art of “dining”, even if it is with finger foods and in bathing suits. Talking with others at the table, asking for things to be passed, excusing oneself to leave the table, cleaning up after you are done, and waiting until everyone has finished the main meal before getting dessert are all a part of dining etiquette which children will not learn if they do not get to actually practice these table arts. It is also an ideal time to teach about recycling and composting.
And most of all, join in with them and just relax, chat them up, and have a jolly good time. You will remember these halcyon days for years and years, especially if you take pictures in the same settings over several years. How they love to see themselves progress!
Tip #29: Try to find a place to gather for summer outings where the extended family can be together. Playing with cousins and having aunts and uncles around to share in the eating, game playing and even discipline create lasting bonds and fond memories. Children feel a part of something larger when the group expands to include other relatives. Teach them polite manners and respect while they are having a good time playing and eating. Shared responsibility only reinforces that “it takes a whole village to raise a child”, only in this case the village is the extended family, led by you, the wise and wonderful grandparents!
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