Celebrating Life with Children in September

Celebrating Life with Children in September by Susie Cortright,
http://www.momscape.com

Here are ten simple pleasures you can enjoy with your children
this month. 

1. Ask your child to read a book to you. Younger children can
look at the pictures and describe what’s going on in the book.
Older children can read a current chapter in the book they are
reading. 

2. Make a Back-to-School time capsule with each child. This is a
great tradition for the first week of school. Over the years,
you’ll have an album of memories that really tells a story. Here
are instructions and ideas on things to include at the Family
Fun website:
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/feature/famf89scho
ol/famf89school4.html

3. Choose one Saturday this month to be Kids' Day. For one day
this month, they choose what to eat for meals, when to get
dressed, what to do… 

4. Ask each family member to start a gratitude journal. Younger
children can draw pictures instead of words. 

5. Make a big bowl of popcorn, gather pillows, dim the lights
and splurge on a Pay-Per-View kids movie. 

6. Take a walk with your children and let them decide the pace,
as well as where to go. Allow them to linger over a stream or a
single flower if they wish. Budget a lot more time for this than
you might think you need so you’re sure to be unhurried and
relaxed. 

7. Plan a short bit of “special time” with each child….an hour
or so to connect over hot cocoa or lemonade. Ask them about new
friendships and express a genuine interest in their social lives
at the beginning of this school year. 

8. Take an art class with your child. 

9. Blast music when you all are doing chores together. 

10. Start working on homemade holiday gifts together. Now is the
time to make some headway on those fun projects – and still be
relaxed enough to enjoy the process.