Summer Daze

Summer is so close I can taste it! Leaving the elementary school this morning, I realized that the air smells different, the fragrances have thawed. I can't believe that another school year is coming to a close.

As a working mom, I anticipate the summer months with both excitement and trepidation. I long to recreate the summers of my own childhood - hanging out at the public pool, playing neighborhood kickball games and generally luxuriating in uninterrupted stretches of free time. Now that I am the working mother of two active children, summer doesn't seem quite so simple.

How can I piece together (and afford) programs that will keep my kids entertained as I work? How can I encourage them to explore and play independently while keeping tabs on what they are doing? How many playdates can I organize with kids living in a 30 mile radius? What is the most effective response to that plaintive cry, "I'm bored?"

My solution this year is Wilkinson Public Library's Summer Reading (and not just because I am a librarian:). We've been talking about it at dinnertime for the past week or so. We'll register as a family and set some goals for our summer reading. Both of my kids can participate in age-specific programs -- it's actually nice because my 4 year-old will not compete against his 7 year-old sis. The library awards prizes at specific page increments and there are grand prizes for the top three readers in each age group (my daughter has her mark set on the iPod shuffle for 2nd place). We've decided to set a specific time each week to log our pages read onto the website, so that I won't drop the ball and keep putting off our posting until later.

That's right, summer reading is online! This makes it possible for our family to keep it going through vacation time. It's an easy system to navigate and allows us to set a routine that works for our family. Of course, the friendly library staff are happy to accommodate those who prefer to log their reading in person at the library.

I'm also really excited about the phenomenal kids programming that the Library offers through summer reading. You don't have to be registered to participate in the full line-up of Farmer's Market performances, ghost story night or the end-of-summer art show and reception. It's going to be a great remedy for the I'm Bored-syndrome.

And for teens, those entering grades 5-12, there are a bunch of interesting programs, from scrapbooking to knitting to music and theater. The theme for the program is "Express Yourself" and the events will provide low-pressure opportunities to experiment with a variety of outlets. It's going to be a fun-filled summer!

So, if you're looking for ways to entertain your kids and keep your sanity while holding on to the best of summer's freedom, check out Wilkinson Public Library's Summer Reading. Registration starts June 8th online at http://www.telluridelibrary.org/.