Give kids time, they'll give you good behavior.

There are days during the summer months when all parents wish their kids were back in school. No - doesn't make you a bad parent - just human. More likely your wish was brought on because you had a day where things didn't go well and a combination of your mood and your kids' behaviors got to you more than usual.

Spending time with your kids can actually have surprisingly positive results. I'm not talking about the time you spend running them around, feeding them, chasing after them to clean up etc., etc. - your kids probably take that as business as usual. No, I mean time that really focuses on them and their interests, showing curiosity towards what they like to do, and making sure that time isn't interrupted by such things as phone calls or work issues.

Here are some things to remember when contemplating how to spend the time:

1. Plan to spend time with them ONLY when you can be sure to give them your undivided attention, when your mood is likely to be relaxed (not stressed), and when necessities have been taken care of.
2. Get your "stuff" together beforehand - things like craft materials, activity items, whatever you think you'll need to use when you're engaging with your kids.
3. Do it when they are well rested and fed - both you and they will get the most out of it.
4. Plan a short time at first if this is new to them. It's best to build up from about 10 minutes to whatever you feel prepared to do. Don't go overboard - shorter and more frequent is easier than rarely and lengthy.
5. Switch it up - sometimes do quiet, calming activities with them - read to them, create stories with them and, if they're too young to do it themselves - write them down for them and then let them illustrate their stories. You can actually build quite a library this way and you'll engage them in a love of reading and writing (and sitting quietly!) from a very young age.
6. Sometimes make the time more active and burn off some of that ever-present energy.
7. Remember kids love to play, so making any activity into a game is a sure winner - especially a game they get to suggest or create.
8. Kids love to teach (it's actually a great way for you to teach them something, only they don't know it!), so take every opportunity to ask them to show you how to do something. It will improve their creativity and their self esteem.
9. Let them know when the time is over for today, reassure them it will happen again tomorrow, and ask them to think about how they would like to spend the time with you then.
10. Keep track of the types of activities they seem to enjoy mosand stash them in a jar or a box so when you - or they - run out of ideas, you can check in the box and pick out a surprise activity.

When the time is over, reward yourself with a big pat on the back. You'll be amazed how much good feeling you will feel - and so will they!

Remember: TIME WITH YOU = GOOD BEHAVIOR IN RETURN!!