If you only see your little ones during the summer vacation, ask a few questions in advance so that you can be prepared. Don’t be hesitant about finding out before their visit what a child’s likes and dislikes are. Ask them (or their parents) the following: what is their favorite breakfast cereal, television show (day and time), snack, drink, video, music CD. Find out their bedtime and if they like to (or should be expected to) help with chores.
During their visit, there are many simple ways to make each day seem more special. Eat your meals outdoors. You don’t need an elaborate porch or patio. Just spread a cloth under a tree and serve their favorite foods. This can be done in your own backyard or in a park or picnic area in your community. Keep the menu simple; remember these are children that you are serving. Even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches taste better when eaten outside.
If your little visitors like to read, set up a special place outside as their own private “reading nook”, and let them know that if they want to spend some time alone reading, that is perfectly okay. Using a chair, a hammock, or a blanket and pillow under a tree, give them a few books to choose from, and a tall container of their favorite cold drink, and then respect their privacy.
If they are interested in sleeping outside, investigate renting a tent for the night. Have them bring their sleeping bags, and you provide the flashlights and bedtime snacks.
To record the wonderful memories that you are creating with them, give each child a disposable camera. Let them use it to take any photos they wish, but be sure that you take pictures of them, too. Provide a small blank photo album for each child to take home to preserve their pictures once they have been developed.
If you are a fan of scrapbooking, buy each child their own scrapbook and get them started on a “Summer Vacation” journal. Have them work with you to see how it’s done, and send enough supplies home with them so that they will finish the book on their own.
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