3 Ways to Motivate Your Child with #IceCream

The predictable and well-oiled routines of a typical school day fall to the wayside once summer hits. That’s a good thing, right?

​Not always.

We can’t all enjoy a summer trip to the Hamptons or travel abroad for cultural education opportunities. And, looking at everyone’s picture-perfect Instagram posts of Disneyland-Days and Concerts-in-the-Park Nights can create some summertime blues.  Been there. Done that.

For many moms, the lack of routine can leave them feeling underwhelmed. In fact, did you know, being out of routine can create a depression in people? So, if you have been wondering what is wrong with you - fear not!
You.
Are.
​Normal.

SOLUTION: Getting outdoors, connecting with others, and setting up a lighter, but regular, routine may help.

Well, that and ICE CREAM!

July is National Ice Cream Month.  I do not make these things up. It’s true! Perhaps it is because there are 31-derful days ahead of us.  

To welcome in July and add some sunshine to your days, I have come up with three ways you can use #IceCream to motivate your child (and YOU) to create some RAH and reduce the BLAH.

1. Make your own ice cream at home. Amy at theidearoom.net has a simple and yummy recipe for Ice Cream in a Bag. Add fresh berries. Experiment with ingredients. Make predictions. Look up the science behind it. Write out all of the steps and add descriptive, sensory words. Take pictures to add to a Summertime Journal. Ice Cream making is an activity that could take under an hour or last most of the morning or afternoon.
2. Create some ice cream art! It’s not as messy as it sounds. I promise! These Puffy Paint Ice Cream Cones at craftymorning.com are so cute! I have been pinning lots of other fun ideas like these to my Sweet Summer Fun Pinterest board. Be sure to check them out and FOLLOW ME!
3. Write some ice cream poetry. Not all poems have to rhyme (which reduces stress for many writers). Cinquain (sin-kayn) poems are stanzas made up of five non-rhyming lines. Each line, instead of rhyming, must follow a syllable count of 2 - 4 - 6 - 8 - 2. For younger children, I have even had them follow the same pattern but using words instead of syllables.  So, the first line would have two words; the second line would have four words, and so on. You get the idea. Here is my challenge: With ice cream as a topic (working together or alone), what can your child churn up?

Now, post yours (or any of the ice cream ideas I mentioned) on your social media of choice, but PLEASE tag me so that I may read it, too. Maybe, just maybe, I will ask for your permission to post it on my website.

​Here's mine!

Mint Chip
Scrumptious and cold
Holding it in my hand
Makes a summer day wonderful
Seconds?

Well, I need to get some ice cream now. But, remember, just like any season, this too shall come and go quickly. Make the most of the long hot days and those sweet summer nights. Stay connected and make your summer a wonderful one.

Write on!