Super Summer Challenge

Summer has always been a time of excitement,fun,relaxation and went by all too fast. I have lots of memories of going to grandparents, lemonade stands, vacation Bible schools, trips to the library and bookstores for some great reads, watermelon and fresh veges,catching fireflies, exploring new hobbies and interests. All of the things I learned and did during the summer and all of the people I spent time with greatly influenced who I am as a person.
Now that I am a mommy of an active preschooler and rising kindergartner, I realize that I set the tone and pace for the summer. I am left with the decision of spending the days in front of the TV with a few special activities sprinkled in or spending the time I have with them in fun and intentional (there is my favorite word again) activities that leave them with good memories and maybe, just maybe a little better off. I have decided that my family is going to undertake the Super Summer Challenge (SSC) this year. This is not my original idea. It is an idea shared by a seasoned mom- now a grandmother. Linda Wicks did this for many years with her own kids. For further information about the challenge or to order her book, you can go to www.supersummerchallenge.com.
The SSC is very simple in concept. I simply have looked at my children individually and decided what goals I want each to work on this summer. The goals are divided into four categories: Learning, Growing, Sharing and Caring, and Helping. The children earn points for completing each goal and if they reach their weekly point goal they are rewarded with a special family activity. An example of learning for one is to recognize and match upper and lower case letters, while the older child is to read 20 sight words (she already knows about 10). They also will get points for completing the summer reading program at the library and VBS. These are things we have done since they were babies so this is no problem for us. We are doing it anyway and they can earn points toward something they really want to do this summer.
An example of Growing is learning to swing, taking a "no" without having a fit, putting on pants by self, etc. Making beds, setting table, putting toys away, putting laundry away are all examples of helping. Again these are things already expected of them, but a little incentive to complete them never hurts. We will be working on taking turns, making cards for people, baking cookies for neighbors as part of the sharing and caring.
Some of the weekly rewards are going to the mall to ride the coin operated rides, choosing the menu for an evening, going to the Jump Gym and Callaway Gardens. Some of the rewards are very inexpensive. Some are special to my kids for various reasons like choosing the dinner menu. I choose things that fit our family's budget, interests and also fit into the larger picture of what I want them to learn this summer. A trip to Callaway is special because we love going as a family there each summer and we have friends and playmates nearby. But it also allows me the opportunity to further instill a love and appreciation for nature with some science "lessons" in our trip. I also want them to understand that trips to Callaway, Rock City, Jump Gym or even to the local ice cream shop are not rights but privileges. Some things we must earn. We must work hard for to truly appreciate how special those things are. I don't want my kids to take the activities we do for granted but be thankful for the opportunities they have. I also want them to know the satisfaction of working hard for what they have.
Keeping up with the points will be pretty easy. I have three times that we stop and evaluate the day's activities(all at clean up times- another chance to earn a point). The kids have plastic containers with lids to decorate and personalize. We will drop poker chips in a hole cut in the lid for each point earned. On Thursday evening, we will count the chips and determine if each child earned enough points to get the reward. Each week has a predetermined reward. If it is individual rewards, each child must earn enough points to get his/her reward. If it is a family reward such as a trip to Callaway, then both children must have earned the points. (A little positive peer pressure never hurt anyone.)For the end of the summer, one overnight and more costly trip is planned. We will keep a tally of the points earned. We have a challenge that involve obtaining the desired number of points for the entire summer.
I don't want to look back on the summer in August and wonder "What in the world did we do all summer?!" and realize we simply survived the heat and boredom with TV, lots of trips to fast food places and endured squabbles over sharing toys.
I want to look back at the summer and think about how much imagination, play, laughter and all of the fun memories. I want to think of all the intentional time spent with mommy and daddy learning more about the world around them, taking responsibility, growing in knowledge and abilities that will make them better individuals. The Super Summer Challenge is just a tool for me to use to organize the goals I have set for each of my sweet children. It is a means for helping me to follow through and intentionally teach, train and enjoy my children as they grow up.

Mommy Adventures

Amazing how many adventures we have experienced this year! I am so thankful that the adventures were shared by my mommy friends. We have made and strengthened many friendships over the year. We have laughed, cried and learned and prayed about so many things, especially being a mommy of the precious little ones that are on this adventure with us. Now our year is ending, but not the friendships. We finish the year with many memories and the anticipation of what lies ahead. As the coordinator of this ministry, I pray for each mommy and her family as we set out for the summer.I pray for the discernment to recognize what God wants for this group in the future. I am so thankful for a supportive church leadership and for the absolutely amazing and loving ladies who have doted on our kiddos while we met. I am thankful that God provided a wonderful, wise and loving mentor mom. The adventures are not really ending, but continuing day by day. The next adventure for MOPS is Planet Motherhood. I am excited about the moms who will join us for this amazing journey next year. We will be discussing ways we can strengthen and cultivate relationships with others. You know, husbands, in-laws, friends, co-workers, even ourselves and especially with God. 3-2-1-Blast Off to the next adventure in mothering! See you in September for MOPS at Northridge Christian Church!!