The Family Manager's Guide to Summer Survival

by Kathy Peel

Summer vacation can be a wonderful bonding time for parents and their kids... if it's done right! In The Family Manager's Guide to Summer Survival, best-selling author Kathy Peel shows you how to make... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1592332005
• ISBN13: 9781592332007
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Fair Winds Press (MA)
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.6" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A useful and practical guide to making the most of the summer for your kids

If you're familiar with Kathy Peel's other books and enjoy them, then go ahead and add this one to your list of favorites. In her usual style, Peel uses accessible language, tips-oriented material and a sprinkling of Scripture to help parents, especially mothers, maximize summer's free days and nights. While she offers hundreds of great ideas for activities and projects kids can take on, I felt the strength of the book was really in the first few chapters, where she helps parents draft a plan focusing on four areas of development to hone skills in over the summer: intellectual, physical, social and spiritual. She also encourages moms and dads to consult their kids to ensure that they're on board as well. This book is suitable for stay-at-home and working parents. The ideas can be adjusted to any family's needs and schedule. For example, choosing a summer camp is relevant to both types of parents, which is a topic she devotes some pages to. Another useful chapter is the last, which focuses on how to build a child's character. Although this one is the most Christian-focused, it still offers ideas parents of other faiths can adjust and adapt to their needs. It's also a subject many parents miss as we cart our kids from one activity to another in a quest to make their summer as memorable as possible. This book is a wonderful addition to the family library and offers parents an easy reference guide to summer fun, while providing a bigger picture often absent in other guides.

Wow I'm glad I got this book

I'm psyched for summer. I'm a SAHM and just read this tonight (I did do a lot of skimming as far as the actual crafts and stuff but read all the introductory text in each section). I have no idea why someone would say this is geared toward working moms. There is a part in the beginning saying how to ADAPT it to working moms, but most if it deals with what to do with your kids on a day-to-day basis in the summer to help them entertain themselves (and avoid the "I'm bored" monster) along with teaching different values and focusing on different areas of their growth. I actually don't think it would work that great for working moms - did I miss something?! There is a lot that I skipped over, such as how to help them earn money doing different summer jobs, and with any "list" type book of tips and ideas, there are some I already knew and a lot I probably won't use. However, just the craft part alone is worth the cost of the book. I got it from the library but am on here right now finding a copy to own so I can highlight and dog ear. There are many many craft ideas that are actually cheap, unlike a lot of craft books and magazines that require you to buy special expensive ingredients and ending up with crafts that the kids can't even make well so the parent ends up taking over. The ingredients in here that look like they might be costly are used over and over again so at least you are not buying a big box of something like Borax or liquid starch and only using a tablespoon. And the crafts seem to be easy enough for the age range of 6-9 that I'm looking for. There are enough crafts that I'm interested in that I actually think it would take several summers to do them all! I've already enrolled my 9yo and 6yo in a few day and overnight scout-type camps but was looking into some expensive daycamps at the Y and elsewhere (starting at $200 a week for both boys - yikes!) to keep them occupied during the day, since I plan to turn the tv and video games off for the summer. Now I realize I can actually enjoy doing camp-type activities with them without Mom getting too bored, and still have enough time to do the things I, myself, need and want to do this summer. Especially since there are a lot that require planning on my part but that they can implement all by themselves. BTW, it has definite Christian overtones. If you are not big on Christian literature, as I am not, don't be turned off. It's not preachy and there is plenty here for parents of any religion or even no religion, like me.

Mostly geared towards working moms

There were some helpful worksheets and ideas, however, over all it is geared toward the working mom. Also if you homeschool - most of the ideas don't fit but some could be modified.

Make the Most of Summer

Sure kids need some time to relax over the summer but quickly become bored. What's a busy parent to do ? I was delighted to discover this book after reading about in in the Maine Sunday Telegram. The author advises really listening to your children's input on what excites them, but also wants the parent to offer suggestions and set limits. A child may think watching cartoons non-stop makes a fun summer. This book gives ideas (tennis, hiking, other exercise or structured programs). I highly recommend investigating the free programs at your local public library. They might be able to lure your child into reading for pleasure (or reward). The book wants you to get resourceful and creative with your children. Learn origami or stamp collecting or take turns with other parents teaching the children new skills. The author also suggests a designated "pickup time" each day to gather up the toys and do a 10-minute clean up. Great idea! There are lots of things to do in the summer with children and many are inexpensive. Turn off the TV and turn on your family to having fun together this summer.