THIS SUMMER

By Gina Rich

Warm sunshine. Ice cream. Lazy days splashing around the pool. After a soul-crushing winter and a spring that felt like a second round of winter, parents and children alike are ready for summer to arrive. But what happens when kids who’ve been in separate classrooms all year long are suddenly together for several hours every day?

My children are 20 months apart in age, and their bickering reaches an alarming intensity once summer hits. Sometime during the month of May, as I watch the remaining school days dwindle on the calendar, my stress level rises exponentially, and I start loading up my Amazon cart with chocolate and earplugs.

But maybe this summer will be different, I always tell myself. I’ll plan ahead. My kids will be so busy they won’t have time to fight. I’ll regale them with enriching activities. I’ll perfect my arsenal of slime recipes, choreograph regular play dates, and thrill the neighborhood kids with my expertise in creating backyard water blobs.

Realistically, I know I’ll do none of this. So I’ve scaled back my expectations. Be low are some strategies that I’m hop ing will help me preserve my remaining sanity from June until September.

Let each child create a personal “calm down” space at home. When tensions are high, having a designated special area for each child allows for personal space and provides a fun alternative to the tired refrain: “Go to your room.” In our house, my oldest daughter commandeered a comfortable chair in the living room and stocked it with a few books, stuffed animals, a blanket, and a water bottle.

Consider separate eating areas during particularly challenging times. While it’s important for families to share meals together whenever possible, sometimes less is more. If the mere act of making eye contact with each other across the breakfast table sparks an argument between your kids, consider allowing them to dine in separate rooms just for that meal. I’ve observed that once my kids are more awake and appropriately fueled with food, they’re less likely to push each other’s buttons – and mine.

Plan special dates with each child on a regular basis. Even a brief amount of 1:1 time together – away from siblings and the temptation to compete – can be like hitting the reset button on a child’s behavior. These occasions need not be lengthy and can be incorporated into the family schedule. Examples include playing a card or board game after dinner, or shopping together for favorite meal ingredients.

Set mini goals.

Let’s face it: there is no universe in which siblings can refrain from bickering 100% of the time. It’s just hardwired into their DNA. Instead of aiming for perfection, set mini goals for behavior throughout the day, and reward success. For example, if my kids can peacefully stay on task in the morning, they get to choose a show to watch together after everyone is ready.

Retire your role as the referee. Too often, I inject myself into my children’s squabbles when the best course of action was to simply refrain from getting involved. Decide which situations in which you’ll intervene – for example, if the argument becomes physical or if there is extremely hurtful name-calling – and let your kids know these guidelines.

Remind yourself that sibling disagreements are normal and can help kids practice conflict resolution skills. When the inevitable bickering arises, brew yourself a cup of coffee or tea and calmly inform your kids that, unless it’s a true emergency, you’re unavailable to hear their grievances until such-and-such time. If you have to, leave the room in order to get your point across.

If all else fails, earplugs are always an option. This article was originally published on Filter Free Parents.

1015 Howard Avenue, Lake Park Clubhouse

Entertainment will include acoustic style bands. Food and beverages will be available for purchase (including alcoholic beverages for sale). Come early and enjoy rounds of golf, ½ hour paddle boat rides, kayaks, and Foot Golf rounds between 5:00–7:00p. Enjoy bags, Giant Jenga and Connect Four or relax on one of our newly added Adirondack chairs.

The Central Park Series

1555 E. Thacker Street, at the Gazebo Entertainment will include acoustic style bands. Join us in this exciting ‘Live’ series downtown location and enjoy the natural beauty this gem of a park has to offer. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The Pavilion Series

2200 Lee Street, at Fargo Avenue

Entertainment will include high-energy festival style bands. Bring your lawn chair, blanket, picnic dinner and enjoy a beautiful evening by the lake.

Premiere Sponsors

Would you like to be a part of this popular community concert series? Become a sponsor today!

Presenting Sponsor

Thursdays, June 15–August 17

6: 00 –8:30 p, all concer ts star t at 7: 00 p

This summer, enjoy 10 days of free music at our various locations! For more information about Live at the Lake, check DPParks.org or the DPParks App!

June 22 Erik Donner Food Truck: The Curious Crow

The velvety tones of Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Sinatra, Lennon and McCartney, through to Hair Bands, to today’s stars like Ed Sheeran.

July 13 April & Kevin Food Truck: Toasty Cheese

Acoustic/electric duo with amazing two-part harmonies to some of the biggest and most popular pop/classic rock cover tunes of all time!

August 3 Meaghan Farrell Food Truck: Bad Boy BBQ

An emerging singer-songwriter in New York City and Nashville, showcasing her powerful new music.

June 29 Wild Daisy Food Truck: Smilin Dogs

High-quality, family-friendly, crowd-interactive, entertaining shows, with musicianship and energy that cannot be matched.

July 20 Brian & Tony of Farkus Food Truck: The Curious Crow

An eclectic mix of music, from Roy Orbison to Chris Cornell.

August 10 Sushi Roll Food Truck: Toasty Cheese

High-energy dance music and rock n’ roll swagger and then topped it off with memorable stage costumes, inspired by cosplay, anime, and superheroes.

June 15 Tropixplosion Food Truck: Tiki Terrace

An amazing variety of music – tropical favorites, and many reggae classics and pop/rock party songs re-arranged to feel like the Islands!

July 6 GenFuze Food Truck: Savory Crust

Rock out to all your classic rock favorites such as Led Zeppelin, Heart, Styx, REO and current ones like Fall Out Boy and Carrie Underwood.

July 27 Classical Blast Food Truck: Savory Crust

“From Bach to Rock” show is a melding of classical and classic rock, exploring the links between today’s rock music and classical composers.

August 17 Kaleidoscope Eyes Food Truck: The Curious Crow Chicago’s best and most fun lovin’, captivating, crowd-engaging, acoustic Beatles tribute band!

In case of rain, Live at the Lake events are cancelled. We post information as early as possible on Facebook and the DPParks Mobile App. Or call the Clubhouse: 847-391-5730.

No matter your age, the summer season has wonderful things to partake in. We’ve gathered many great activities in this issue to add to your bucket list. The summer fun starts here...

Celebrate the summer in Tinley Park

Stock up on the sunscreen now, because Tinley Park is bringing the fun this summer! Those who love live concerts will want to come to Music in the Plaza, and classic car aficionados won’t want to miss Cruise Nights. Add in the Block Party and the Independence Day Celebration in July, the Farmers Market on Saturdays, the ongoing Benches on the Avenue, and the Art and Garden Market in May, and summer fun is a sure thing here in Tinley Park! www.TinleyPark.org/SpecialEvents

Mountain View Adventure Center

Des Plaines Park District

Open daily, our 18-hole mini-golf course is fun for all ages! Practice your swing at our 6 batting cages. Skate Park for boards, bikes and blades. Group reservations are available. 510 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL. 847-391-5733. www.DPParks.org

Lake Park Golf Course & Marina

Des Plaines Park District

This sporty 18-hole, par-3 has beautiful greens and strategically placed bunkers, all set around picturesque Lake Opeka. At the north end of the beautiful 73-acre Lake Park, the marina offers paddle boat, kayak, and swan boat rentals, and special events all season. 1015 Howard Avenue, Des Plaines, IL. 847-391-5730. www.DPParks.org

Kane County Cougars

There’s something special for everyone at a Cougars game! Bring the entire family and join the best fans in baseball as the Kane County Cougars play their fifty-game home schedule at beautiful Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva. Since 1991, the Cougars have been at the forefront of affordable family-fun, great food and fireworks. Every Cougars game is packed with exciting baseball action and between inning on-field events and contests. Select games feature post-game fireworks and free pre-game concerts in the music garden. And, the youngsters will love the Cougar’s Kid Zone. Visit www.KCCOUGARS.COM for more information or call 630-232-8811.

Fischer Farm Fun

Among the oldest remaining homesteads in DuPage County, Fischer Farm was estab lished in 1836, and the property is home to three pre-Civil War structures. Through the years, the family-built barns and then a large farm house in 1919. The grounds, open daily dawn-dusk, are home to summer camps, Little Lambs, campfires and campouts and special events. It’s open for volunteers the second Saturday each month as well as for birthdays and special event rentals. www.BvilleParks.org/ FischerFarm

Reed’s Canoe Trips

Reed’s Canoe and Kayak Trips are an ideal recreational activity for groups of any size, from a family adventure to large church, school, or park district outing with an adventure close to home. The three trips we offer range in length from approximately 2 hours to a full 6 hours on the water, and are suitable for either new or experienced canoeists. Since the Kankakee River is located only an hour south of Chicagoland, even our longest trip will fit into a one-day outing! 907 N. Indiana Ave, Rt. 50, Kankakee, IL Call for information or reservations: (815)WE CANOE or visit: www.reedscanoetrips.com

Midwest Pond & Koi Society

The Midwest Pond & Koi Society, MPKS, are families with a common hobby: koi ponds, garden ponds, koi keeping, and plants. MPKS members range from the novice to experienced water gardener. The club has monthly meetings with topics about plants, ponds, and fish. Other activities include; auctions, road trips, and a pond tour. You do not have to be a member to attend a meeting. Visit our web site www.mpks.org for more information.

Aurora Downtown