TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN LIFE SKILLS

Learning does not stop when the school year is over. Summer is a great time to teach your children valuable skills they don't learn in the classroom. The pace in summer is slower and less hectic. You will have more time to work with your kids one-on-one. During the school year I often tackle household projects on my own because it is easier and faster than showing my kids how to do something. During the summer I have more time and patience for teaching my kids.

When I talk about life skills I am referring to skills children will need to manage their own life. Some examples of life skills are cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, car maintenance, and other similar skills. Some of you may have small children and others may have preteen or teenage children. All children can learn how to help around the house if you give them age appropriate tasks.



Cooking

Young children can help in the kitchen by retrieving items from the pantry, washing fruits and vegetables, or measuring ingredients for your recipe. Make sure that you keep younger children in a safe area of the kitchen away from open flames or hot surfaces. Preteen children are old enough to learn more sophisticated kitchen skills. They can learn how to operate a can opener, mix ingredients with a mixer, or stir the contents of a saucepan. Teenagers are capable of acting as assistant chefs in the kitchen. If you start them early enough they will have valuable skills by this age. They might be skilled enough to prepare side dishes while you concentrate on the main dish. Let them prepare salads or read a recipe and follow directions to make muffins or cakes. Working in the kitchen together provides quality time with your kids. Neither you nor your children are distracted by the tv and you will have time to talk while you are mixing and dicing.

Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping is a skill that everyone will need to have. Surprisingly, some adults never mastered this crucial skill. In order to have a successful shopping trip you must learn to prepare and follow a list, stay within your budget, and get everything you need for the week in one trip. Younger children can help retrieve items from the shelves or put fruits and vegetables into plastic bags for you. Preteen kids can help you prepare the list at home and cross items off the list as you work your way through the grocery store. Teenage children should be able to follow your list, comparison shop, and help with unloading the groceries. If everyone pitches in and helps, grocery shopping won't seem so much like a chore.

Laundry

Laundry is such a huge chore that there should be plenty to go around. When my children were very small I used to ask them to go through my mismatched sock basket for me. They would match up all of the socks that did not have a mate. I was always amazed at how many pairs they could match up. You can even make a contest out of it and see who can match the most pairs. Elementary aged children make great laundry sorters. Ask them to sort your huge pile of laundry into manageable piles by color. This task is fairly easy for them and will save you a lot of time. Older children should be able to learn how to operate the washer and dryer. Make sure they understand that certain items are prone to shrinking and need to be hung up rather than dried. Older children can also fold clothes and carry them to the appropriate rooms. They are younger than you and have more energy.

With a little patience and a little extra work you can teach your children these life skills during the summer. Once they get in the habit of helping more around the house you will have more free time for fun activities with them.

SIMILE STORY STARTERS

Similes are figures of speech that compare two unlike things using phrases that begin with like or as. Similes help you see pictures in your mind. Use the following similes as story starters to spark your imagination.



1. The ocean tasted salty as a pretzel when I swam in it on our first day of summer vacation.

2. The old sleeping bag smelled like a wet dog when we tossed it in the car for our scouting trip to Yellowstone Park.

3. The forest was as dark as midnight as we tried to find our way back out of the woods.

4. When I opened my front door I found a stray kitten that was as thin as a needle.

5. The sky looked liek pea soup the day the tornado ripped through our town. Let me tell you what happened.

6. Last summer was the hottest summer we ever had in Las Vegas, Nevada. The sidewalk was as hot as a skillet used to fry bacon and eggs.

7. The bat's wings came unfuled like the sail of a boat when he flew from his cave.

8. Our new teacher had red hair that looked exactly like braided yarn and when she talked her voice was like a wailing siren. I knew it was going to be an interesting year.

9. Hanging from the rope over the side of the mountain, the people on the track below looked like little ants.

10. The grass at the ballpark looked like bright green carpet on the day of the big game.

WAYS TO CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY

Happy Memorial Day! The last Monday in May has been set aside as a day of rememberance for brave soldiers who have died fighting for our country. Memorial Day has been around since the end of the Civil War, but it seems to be losing more of its significance every year. Please take a few moments out of your day to honor our fallen soldiers. Here are a few suggestions of activities you can do with your family today.

Moment of Remembrance

The National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed on December 2000. This resolution asks all Americans to pause for a moment of respect and remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time.

Visit to Cemetery

Take your family to a cemetery and place flags or flowers on the graves of war heroes. If there is a member of your immediate family that fought and died in a war, today is the perfect day to visit their grave site.

Fly the US flag at half-staff

On Memorial Day it is customary to fly the US flag at half-staff until noon. If you don't have a flag at your house, today is the perfect day to get one.

Read a book about a war hero

Read a story to your children to remind them what this day is about. Here are a few suggestions:

"If You Lived At The Time of the Civil War" by Kay Moore

"A Picture Book of George Washington" by David A. Adler

"Beat the Drum - Independence Day Has Come" by Lee Hopkins

Wear Red, White and Blue

Ask every member of your family to wear a red, white, and blue outfit in honor of this special day. This will remind others in your community that it is a special day of remembrance.

Teach your children to observe Memorial Day in a special way. If you treat it like any other day off and take them to a movie or go shopping at the mall, they won't understand the significance of this day. Children learn by example. Be a good example to your children on this special day.

GREAT GIFTS FOR TEACHERS



The end of the school year is just around the corner. Teachers deserve special thanks for all of their hard work during the school year. Show your child's teacher your appreciation with a thoughtful gift. Instead of the same old pencil and apple themed knick knacks, why not think out of the box this year. After speaking with the teachers I work with every day, I have a few suggestions inspired by thoughtful gifts that they have received.

Gift Certificates

Teachers are real people with lives outside of the classroom. Sometimes parents and kids forget this and shower teachers with school supplies like markers, pencils, and crayons. I'm sure a gift certificate to a nice restaurant, a bookstore, or a favorite department store would be much appreciated.

Homemade Gifts from Children

Every teacher I've ever talked to appreciates a homemade gift from a child. Do you have an artistic child? A beautifully illustrated card would be a cherised keepsake for years to come. Let your child decorate a beach bag for summer with a painting or stamps. Be sure to have them personalize it with their name and the school year they were in the teacher's class.

Give Teachers a Break

The end of the school year is very stressful for teachers. They have papers to grade, report cards to prepare and other last minute details. Teachers would love a little free time to finish up their school duties. Why not volunteer to take their recess or lunch duty? You could also volunteer to come to their class and read a story after lunch or teach the children an arts and crafts project. Any teacher would be greatful for free time that could be spent getting caught up.

Pamper Your Child's Teacher

Teachers could use a little pampering at the end of a long, stressful school year. You or your school PTA could welcome the teachers in the morning with a lovely breakfast in the teacher's lounge. Set out hot coffee and bagels with cream cheese. While your child's teacher is enjoying her breakfast, deliver a bouquet of flowers to her classroom. This would certainly get her day off to a good start.

WHAT WE DO FOR FUN


Before Kids

Read a novel
Take a bath
Ride a bike
Go to a museum to see art
Eat at a restaurant
Watch a new movie
Shop for clothes
Go dancing at a club
Travel to Europe
Parasailing
Go to the ballet
Throw dinner parties


After Kids

Read a board book
Give baby a bath
Run behind a bike, pushing it
Go to your refrigerator to see art
Eat at home
Watch the same video 45 times
Shop for groceries
Dance baby around the living room
Travel to an amusement park
Flying a kite
Attend a ballet recital
Throw children's birthday parties

GEOGRAPHY - I NEVER KNEW THAT!




Here are a few bits of geography trivia. When you take your summer vacation see if you can collect any more bits of fun trivia about geography.

- Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is twice the size of the island of Manhattan, New York.

- Approximately one-tenth of the earth's surface is permanently covered with ice.

- The Atlantic Ocean is saltier than the Pacific Ocean.

- The only continent without reptiles or snakes is Antarctica.

- The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% of the world's oxygen supply.

- Istanbul, Turkey, is the only city in the world located on two continents.

- Maine is the only state in the United States with only one syllable in its name.

- Florida has twice as many lightning injuries and deaths than any other state.

- There are over 2,000 different species of cactuses.

- The Sea of Tranquility on the moon is deeper than the highest mountain on Earth.

TEN TIPS FOR TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR TELEVISION



The TV is a prominent fixture in most American households. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the average child watches three hours of TV per day. That is an enormous amount of time to spend involved in such a passive activity. Just think of what they could accomplish if they used those three hours in a more constructive manner. I have compiled ten tips for taking control of the television in your house so it won't control you and your children. Hopefully, if you follow these tips, you will spend more quality time as a family.

1. Do not put a television in a child's room.

This is too big of a temptation for a child. It is too easy to turn the TV on before bed rather than reading a book. I know from my personal experience that I sometimes find it difficult to sleep after watching a TV show with a lot of action or tense drama. It is much easier to relax and sleep after reading a book.

2. Set limits on the amount of TV that can be watched each day.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a maximum of two hours of quality programming per day. Quality programming will vary from house to house, but could include educational shows on PBS, the History Channel, or the Discovery Channel to name a few.

3. Make sure homework is complete before the TV can be turned on.

I have always had a strict rule in my house that homework must be done before the tv can be turned on. I know from experience that if I let my kids turn on the TV after school, it is hard to get them to turn it off.

4. Eat family meals at the kitchen table rather than in front of the TV.

I think that this rule is very important for several reasons. First, children need time to talk about their day with parents. The dinner table is a perfect gathering place for families at the end of the day. If your family eats in front of the TV, you are missing out on great conversations. Second, children may not pay attention to how much they are consuming if they eat in front of the TV. With the rising rates of childhood obesity, children need to be conscious of what they are eating and how much they are eating.

5. Children are capable of entertaining themselves in other constructive ways.

Your children might surprise you if you are firm about setting limits on television viewing. Of course they may complain the first few times you tell them, but once they realize you are serious they will adapt. They might discover a hidden talent or hobby if they are allowed to use their creativity to entertain themselves.

6. Children learn through observation.

If you are constantly turning on the TV, chances are they will too. If they see you reading a book, working on a scrapbook, or cooking gourmet meals, maybe they will want to join you. Let your kids see you working on a project that you are passionate about.

7. Create a TV calendar for the week each Sunday night.

When you get the new TV guide in the Sunday paper sit down with your kids and select a few programs for the week. Get a special calendar to list the TV programs everyone in the family wants to watch. Give each member of the family, not just the kids, a set amount of viewing time. If you do your best to stick with the TV schedule listed on the calendar, your kids will adjust in time.

8. Schedule a weekly trip to the library.

Your kids will be more likely to read before bed if they have a good supply of reading material. Have your kids keep their library books on their nightstands. If the books are within reaching distance of their bed they might be more likely to pick one up.

9. Go for a family walk after dinner.

Don't let your kids plop down in front of the TV after dinner, they may never get up. Instead, take a family walk around the neighborhood. The walk will promote conversation and help everyone digest their dinner.

10. Find a new activity each week to replace TV time.

The website www.tvturnoff.org has excellent ideas of activities to take the place of TV time. You and your child could attend local plays, sign up for a class, climb a tree, or start a garden. These are just a few ideas, but I'm sure you and your family could come up with many more.

DOGGIE PICTURE FRAME



If your children have a dog for a pet, they probably have hundreds of pictures of their pooch. Try creating this fun and easy craft to display one of their pictures.

Materials

- 3" x 3" picture frame (ceramic or wood)
- small dog biscuits
- tempra paint (various colors)
- craft glue
- photo of pet trimmed to fit frame

Instructions

1. Paint enough dog biscuits to cover border of frame and let dry

2. Glue dog biscuits onto border of picture frame and let dry
(Each side of the frame should hold one dog biscuit)

3. Insert photo into picture frame and display in your child's room

TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN

Traveling with children can be a challenge, but with careful planning your family can have a hassle-free trip. Your odds for having a successful trip will be better if you don't set your expectations too high and if you involve your kids in planning your vacation. I have grouped the travel tips by category.



Packing

1. When you pack the car, put the children's suitcases on top. Kids often need to get into their suitcases to retrieve something. By having the suitcases on top, you won't have to repack the car every time your kids need their things.

2. Don't forget to pack essential items such as sunscreen, pain reliever, calamine lotion, bandages, hats, sunglasses, or umbrellas. The gift shop in your hotel will charge quite a bit of money for these items if you should need to buy them during your trip.



Hotels

1. In order to keep your young children safe at your hotel room, you should bring along some child-proofing items. Plastic outlet covers, doorknob covers, and plastic ties for tying up drapery cords and electrical cords will give you peace of mind while you are living in your home away from home.

2. It is a good idea to bring your child's nightlight from home. Children won't be scared in unfamiliar surroundings with the glow of the nightlight for comfort.



Cars

1. My mother taught me a great trick when she went on a trip with my family to the beach. She brought a bag of new toys with her and she handed them out to my kids during our car trip. She gave them a new item about every two hours so they would have something to play with. You might try giving your children small items such as puzzle books, stickers, cards, stuffed animals, or crayons.

2. Pack each child a sack filled with snacks for the trip. This way you won't have to stop at a convenience store every time they get hungry. Make sure you pack healthy foods and include some small bottles of water.



Airplanes

1. Allow yourself plenty of time for check-in. When your kids travel with you everything takes twice as long.

2. Make sure that your children eat a substantial snack before they board the airplane. The pretzels and drink served by the airline might not be enough food for a long flight.



Souvenirs

1. Give each child a set amount of money to spend on souvenirs. Let them buy what they want even if you think the item is silly. This is a good lesson in budgeting.

2. Buy each child a small scrapbook before the trip. Take the scrapbook along and your kids can unwind at the hotel in the evening by pasting mementos into their books.

Great Summer Reads for Kids of all Ages

If you are searching for some great summer reads for your kids, look no further. I have compiled a list of books for kids from preschool to high school to enjoy.

Ages 1-4



Mommy Hugs by Karen Katz, March 2006, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
This delightful counting book follows a mother and child throughout their day as they nuzzle, cuddle and hug. Mothers will love reading the beautifully illustrated book to their children.

Ages 5-8


Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker by Megan McDonald, April 2006, Candlewick Press.
Megan McDonald scores again with Stink, the popular character originated in her Judy Moody series. This time Stink is mad when he buys a huge jawbreaker at a candy store and it doesn't break his jaw as promised. He complains to the candy manufacturer and receives a ten-pound box of candy in return. Stink becomes so preoccupied with getting free stuff that he doesn't notice his best friend, Webster, has stopped talking to him. Will he be able to make things right with Webster? It will take some creativity.

Ages 8-12


Lunch Money by Andrew Clements, July 2005, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
I laughed all the way through this hilarious middle-grade novel. Greg Kenton is a young man with one thing on his mind: money. He loves to earn it, save it, and spend it. Greg has a brilliant idea while he is eating lunch one day. He realizes that his fellow classmates have a lot of extra money at their disposal. That day Greg's Chunky Comics business is born. He just wants to earn some extra spending money. Will he get rich quick or give up trying? Read this funny novel and find out.

Ages 10-13


Pieces of Georgia by Jen Bryant, April 2006, Alfred A. Knopf.
This tender coming-of-age novel will touch your heart. Georgia McCoy is struggling with loss of her mother and her withering relationship with her father. The story is told through journal entries Georgia writes to her dead mother. In the beginning of the novel Georgia receives a free membership to an art museum from an anonymous donor. Georgia secretly studies art at the museum and her natural talent blossoms. She gradually gains more confidence in herself which spills over into her everday life. This novel is full of richly drawn characters and has a very satisfying ending.

Ages 12-15


Crackback by John Coy, November 2005, Scholastic Press.
If you like sports and action, you will love this young adult novel by John Coy. Miles Manning is a star football player on his winning high school team. His team has a chance to go to state if they win the conference. Everyone from his dad to his coach and friends are pressuring Miles to be bigger and stronger. His best friend starts taking steroids and Miles must decide how badly he wants to win. The novel contains interesting subplots about a hidden family secret and his first teenage romance. Teens will enjoy this fast-paced novel even if they've never played football.

The Perfect Mother's Day

When my family asks me this year, "What do you want for Mother's Day?" I will reply, "Don't get me anything." What I want is a perfect day, the kind of day that you can't buy at the mall and you can't wrap with beautiful paper or fancy bows. The old adage that the best things in life are free is certainly true.

My perfect day would begin with my family delivering a breakfast tray to my bedroom around 8:00 a.m. The tray would contain a hot cup of coffee, scambled eggs and toast with butter. My favorite sections of the newspaper would be folded neatly and placed on the side of the tray. For the next forty-five minutes to an hour I would be allowed to read and eat in bed without interruptions.

To me, Mother's Day is a day to celebrate being a mother. So I would want to spend the day with my husband and two children. My peaceful breakfast could be followed up by a family walk with our dog, Molly, or a family bike ride to a nearby park. Both activities are completely free and require nothing more than good weather.

I love surprises, so I would love for my family to surpirse me with an outing planned just for me. When I say an outing planned for me, I mean no hidden agendas for my husband or my kids. It would mean so much to me if they planned an activity that I would enjoy like a picnic lunch at the park, a trip to the zoo, or a visit to a new exhibit at an art museum. I think the key ingredient is that the other members of my family unselfishly give up their time to do something that I enjoy.

I love my "quiet" time, so an afternoon spent reading in a comfortable chair would be perfect. I could curl up with a blanket, a hot cup of tea, and a stack of books and magazines. What would my family be doing during my "quiet" time? I have a few suggestions. They could start a load of laundry or run the vacuum over the floor. What will they not be doing? Well, they won't be arguing over who has to do chores and they won't be asking me to drive them anywhere.

A perfect day wouldn't be complete without a perfect dinner. I don't mean going out to dinner at a fancy restaurant. A simple dinner at home would be just as nice, if I get a one day reprieve from cooking the meal and cleaning up afterward. My husband could grill some steaks or chicken on the grill. My kids could make a salad and baked potatoes. Enjoying a leisurely meal with my family is a luxury that we don't always have time for.

I know I'm asking for the moon now, but a family movie would round out a perfect day. It would be nice to watch a classic like, "The Sound of Music," or "The Wizard of Oz". Gathering everyone into the living room together would be a nice change of pace from our usual hectic evening schedule.

I feel more relaxed already just thinking about the perfect Mother's Day. I don't know if it will ever become a reality, but I can dream can't I? Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there. I hope you have the perfect day!

Summer Story Starters



If you want to help your kids keep their writing skills strong during the summer, give them a little nudge with these summer story starters.

1
I saw a shiny object on the bottom of the pool. When I dove in the pool, I couldn't believe my eyes.

2
I set up a lemonade stand on my driveway. When I ran out of lemonade I decided to sell something really unusual.

3
My family doesn't have a pool, but I love to play in the water. My friends and I found a great place to swim.

4
We drove across the country during my summer vacation. It was a normal trip until we stopped at a gas station and a stranger walked up to our car.

5
My family went for a hike in the woods. Everything was fine until my dad stepped on a poisonous snake.

6
The best part about summer is sleeping in. One morning I slept so late I almost forgot about the most important day of my life.

7
I was so bored one day in the middle of summer I did something crazy.

8
My best friend was moving to a new state during the summer. We only had two weeks of summer vacation together. Here is what we did with our two weeks.

9
My family took a trip to the Grand Canyon. We rode mules to the bottom of the canyon. The trip took a turn for the worse.

10
My best friends and I built a secret clubhouse so the neighborhood bully couldn't find us.

SLAM DUNK



Loud, crowded gym,
Take your seat.
New basketball,
Two left feet.

Hands are shaky,
Nerve is gone.
Whistle blowing,
Game is on.

Dribble slowly,
Gaining speed.
Sideways passing,
In the lead.

Line up the ball,
Shoot and miss.
Grab the ball back,
Take a risk.

Catch some good air,
Wow! Slam dunk!
Nothin' but net,
Totally sunk.

Originally published in Guideposts for Kids - March 2004

It's Not Too Late to Plan for Summer


Summer is just around the corner. The school doors will be closing for good at the end of May. Don't panic! With a little planning, you will be able to keep boredom at bay.

Your idea of fun summer activities and your kids' ideas may not be the same. Since you want your children to enjoy their vacation, include them when you make plans. The first thing you should do is sit down with your kids and make a list of activities they want to do. Before you begin writing your list, set some guidelines. First, tell them how much money you are willing to spend on classes, camps, or activities. Next, talk about how much time they want to spend in structured activities and how much time they want to relax.

Here are a few suggestions of where to begin when planning for summer:

Your Local Library

Most local libraries have some sort of summer reading program. The library in my town lets kids sign up for the program and track the books they read during the summer. At the end of the summer the kids are rewarded with cool prizes for meeting their reading goals. This is always the first stop I make when planning summer activities for my kids. The best part is that it's free!!

Museums

Science museums, art museums, and natural history museums all offer programs for kids during the summer months. Is your child a science buff? Do they love to draw? Museum programs give kids the opportunity to learn while having fun. Programs will vary in length and cost, but it is a good place to investigate for summer activities.

Volunteer in Your Community

Why not take the opportunity to teach your children about community service while they have a few months off. You can even join them in their volunteer efforts and make it a family project. Young children might be able to volunteer to clean up trash at a local wildlife or nature center. Children ages twelve to 17 can volunteer with a parent with the SPCA. They need volunteers to walk dogs, play with cats and clean cages. Go to www.spca.org for more informaton. Children of all ages can volunteer their services with Habitat for Humanity. Kids as young as five can make a welcome basket for homeowners or sing a song at the house dedication. Look at www.habitat.org/ccyp/youth_programs for more information.

Classes at Local Colleges

Many local colleges offer summer programs for school-aged children. You might be able to find theater, art, or computer classes for your kids. Although some of the private colleges do charge quite a bit for classes, they are usually worth the money.

Hopefully you have learned some new places to look for fun summer programs and activities. I hope you have a safe, fun, and productive summer!

LETTER WRITING STORY STARTERS

Young writers can sometimes be intimidated by writing. Most kids like the idea of writing a letter to someone. Letters are more fun to write than essays for school. Children can write the letter in their own voice and it feels more natural.



Try some of these letter writing story starters.

Dear Santa,

I've been very good all year long. Before I tell you what I want for Christmas, let me tell you a story about how good I have been. I...

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am not having fun at summer camp this year. I need you to come and pick me up early. You won't believe all the crazy things that have happened to me. First,...

Dear President Bush,

I think that you are doing a good job as President, but I have a few suggestions for how you can fix some of the problems in the United States. The first thing I would like you to change is...

Dear ZooKeeper,

My class recently visited your zoo on a field trip. I noticed that some of the animals did not seem very happy. I have a few suggestions for how you could redesign the zoo to make the animals more comfortable. First I would...

Dear Hollywood Movie Producer,

I had a dream the other night that could be made into a great movie. I think it could be a blockbuster! Here is my idea for the best movie of all time...

Dear Book Editor,

I have written a great children's story. I think it is even better than Harry Potter. I will enclose the story in my letter so you can decide if you want to publish it. Here it is...

Dear Astronaut,

I love studying about space travel in school. My goal is to become an astronaut just like you one day. I think that you should let me travel into space with you on your next mission because...

Dear Guinness Book of World Records,

I am writing to you because I have a very unusual talent. I would like you to come visit my hometown so you can see for yourself. I think you will put me in your latest record book because...

HOW TO RAISE A WRITER



Encouraging children to write is even harder than getting them to read a good book. With a little creativity and persistence you can make writing more enjoyable and less like a homework assignment. Some suggestions will work better for your children than others. It will be a case of trial and error to see which activities will work best for your family. As a writer, I am always trying to think of ways to persuade my two children to write more. Here are a few suggestions for activities I have tried with my own family.

Have them write thank-you notes.

I have always encouraged my children to write thank-you notes when they receive gifts for special occasions. Not only does this practice teach them manners and common courtesy, it can go a long way towards showing them how writing is used in everyday life. My children know I expect this of them and they don't complain about it any more. I sit next to them and write my thank-you notes at the same time.

Get your children involved in planning their own birthday parties.

Children as young as three or four can help fill out their birthday party invitations. You can find fill-in-the blank invitations at most party supply stores. Let them write the address on the envelope and put on the stamp as well. You can sneak in a short lesson about mailing letters. Your kids will be so excited about their birthday party; they will hardly notice that you've asked them to write something.

Buy your kids a travel log before you take a family vacation.

Let each of your children pick out a notebook before your next vacation. They can decorate the front cover and give it the title: "Travel Log". Tell your children that the notebook is to record their special memories from the trip. At the end of each day's activities, have your children unwind by writing in their journal. They will remember more if they write in the journal during the vacation because the memories will still be fresh. If they want, have them glue souvenirs into the notebook. Small flowers, leaves, postcards, or travel brochures would add to the appeal of their travel diary.

Let your children see you writing.

In today's email environment, your children may not notice that you are composing letters to your friends via e-mail. Once in a while, let them see you writing an old-fashioned letter to a friend.