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Parent Newsletters - Issue 38

No Limits Learning
kids goals Ezine

Issue 38, 30th June 2007

IN THIS PARENT NEWSLETTER

1. A WORD FROM THE EDITORS
2. RULES OF SUMMER
3. KIDS CORNER COOKING AND CRAFTS
4. TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE (JOKES FOR KIDS BY KIDS)
5. WORDS OF INSPIRATION
6. SPONSORS

1. A WORD FROM THE EDITORS

Welcome to the next issue of kidsgoals.com Newsletter. It is hard to believe that summer is here and with that comes the end of school. After 10 months of school, the first week of summer can feel like a dream come true. But that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare for parents when kids who are used to following a set schedule are suddenly free to occupy themselves on their own.

Our article in this issue is about setting limits for your kids so they understand from the get go what is expected of them while they are on their summer holidays. In the Kids Corner you will find kid tested healthy recipes for a summer picnic, another way that you could enjoy the summer together as a family.

Cassie and I would like to wish our Canadian and American subscribers Happy Canada Day (July 1st) and Happy Independence Day (July 4th) we hope you have a safe and FUN celebration!!!

All the best,

Monicka

2. RULES OF SUMMER

Summer holidays are here, the kids can sleep in late, and most parents appreciate the more relaxed schedule. But happiness can soon turn into mayhem when kids who are used to following a set schedule suddenly have too much time on their hands. Even before summer holidays start it is a good idea to sit down with your kids and set a few ground rules.

* Limit TV, computer and video game time. If you don't set a limit for how much and how often your kids will quickly turn into video game addicted couch potatoes.

* Create a chore chart. Kids can help out around the house. Give each child 2-3 age appropriate chores to do everyday such as dusting, filling and emptying the dishwasher and making their beds.

* Set curfews for the older kids and make sure they know when to check in and what time they will be home. It is also a good idea to keep tabs on who they are spending their time with and to get to know their parents.

* Since you have to prepare more meals in the summer keep lots of healthy snacks on hand and get the kids to help with some of the meals such as making their own toast for breakfast or helping you make a salad for dinner.

* To avoid having your house turn into the neighborhood hangout make it clear to your kids who can visit and how long they can stay, making sure you have plenty of family time.

* Advise your children that you are not their chauffeur and you will not be driving them around constantly. Plan a few outings such as a trip to the beach or the movie theatre but advise them that they will not be going out every day of the week.

* Avoid sibling rivalry: When kids who don't normally spend much time together during the school year are suddenly around each other 24/7 they can get on each others' nerves. Make sure that children know when to take turns on the computer or TV so you don't end up being a referee for their battles.

by Monicka

3. KIDS CORNER COOKING AND CRAFTS

Fruity coleslaw

Even if your kids usually turn up their noses to coleslaw, this fruity version is sure to please!!

• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1-tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 tsp celery seed
• 4 cups bagged coleslaw mix (for convenience) or chop up your own green and red cabbage with grated carrot
• 1 green apple cored and thinly sliced
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup red or green seedless grapes, halved

In a large bowl, whisk together orange juice, yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar, and celery seed. Add coleslaw mix, apple, celery and grapes and toss gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate. Will keep for up to two days. Serves 6.

Healthy grilled burgers

(A great way for your kids to get some veggies and they won't even know it)

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound lean ground beef
• 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
• 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup carrots, grated
• 1 cup watercress, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 tbsp. olive oil

1. Place all the ingredients except the olive oil in a large bowl and mix with your hands until well combined. Shape into patties 3/4 inch thick by 4 inches across. Lightly rub each side of the patties with the oil.

2. Heat a grill until very hot. Cook the patties until well done on each side (they should not be pink and juices should be clear). Serve immediately on hamburger buns or rolls. Makes 6 servings.

Easy Sailboat craft (perfect craft for the little ones)

• A wide plastic lid (like the lid from a margarine tub)
• A drinking straw
• Construction paper
• Kids' scissors
• A hole punch
• Crayons, markers, and/or stickers
• A small piece of play dough

Cut a triangle from the construction paper as a sail

Decorate with crayons, markers or stickers

With hole punch, punch three holes into one side of triangle

Weave drinking straw (the boats mast) through the holes

Put a small piece of play dough on the inside of the lid

Push the straw and sail into the play dough

Voila you have a nice little sailboat for the little ones.

4. TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE (JOKES FOR KIDS BY KIDS)

There were two Eskimo children in an igloo. One Eskimo child was playing video games. The other one was watching his friend play. The one that was watching asked his friend, "Why isn't the game moving?" The Eskimo boy answered, "Because the computer is frozen" ----Invented by Justin Gregory

Q. What do you get from a pampered cow?
A. Spoiled milk.

Q. What did the grape do when it got stepped on?
A. It let out a little wine!

Q. Why don't skeletons fight each other?
A. They don't have the guts.

Q. How do you communicate with a fish?
A. Drop him a line!

5. WORDS OF INSPIRATION

"That beautiful season.... the Summer of All Saints! Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light, and the landscape lay as if new created in the freshness of childhood" ----Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Children have neither past nor future; and that which seldom happens to us, they rejoice in the present."--Jean de le Bruyere

"Children have more need of models than critics."----Joseph Joubert

"Time for work, --yet take Much holiday for art's and friendship's sake."--- George James de Wilde

6. YOUR FEEDBACK

If you would like to request any topics for the newsletter for 2007, please email Cassie or Monicka at kidsgoals.com.

Thank you, from Cassie and Monicka

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