Mommy Moments

Summer Money Drain

By Melanie Lewis

Schools out for summer and open your wallet.  The money drain has begun.  Some parents worry about the great “brain drain” of summer. YES! That is a fact. Kids lose a lot of their learned facts and study habits over the summer months while they recuperate, recharge and relax.  Parents are finding this a costly time, however.  The tab is going up at the rate of the National debt (debt clock as of writing http://www.usdebtclock.org/# $19,287,106,197,763 or a tidy sum of $161,050 per taxpayer). That makes me feel a little better about my own financial spending.  My summer entertainment tab is already up to $5540. What’s included in the tab:  Camp fees, camp supplies, driving, weekend visits with Grandpa and Grandma and dining out.   And That’s Just June!  There’s more to come.  I imagine a trip to Six Flags or some other theme park, a couple of weekends to the beach and a regular visit from the chiming bells of the ice cream truck.

It’s time to get creative about things to do that won’t burn up my credit card.  A little brainstorming includes some money making ideas: Helping a neighbor to pet-sit, mowing the lawn, a lemonade stand, and garage sales.  Granted the effort put into these activities is a dismal monetary return for effort on the part of parents.  But, the non-monetary rewards of helping, creating and making your own are beneficial life skills not found in school.  I think if the kids are up for the challenge, they might be able to cash in some of the Legos to pay for a few rounds of Skee ball and a Drumcicle.  I’m the “tough” mom, so for not going to bed on time, picking up your stinky clothes is punishment. You need life skills, kids.

So what are some other learning activities that can’t be found in school?  Working, people. Learn what it’s like to be a chef!  California Pizza Kitchen at Wellington Green offers a Kid’s Pizza class:

10300 W. Forest Hill Bl. #197
Wellington, FL 33414

(Next to Nordstrom)

Mon – Thurs 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fri – Sat 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Sun 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Phone: 561-793-1601

It includes a tour, a crust and toppings to design your own pizza and a sundae. Call about 2 weeks ahead to schedule on a Tuesday and Wednesday.  Yes it does cost MONEY: $10/child.  But you’d pay that for lunch anyway, going out to eat.  You may as well get the kids involved in seeing what it takes to be a pizza pie maker.

Find a relative, neighbor or friend to take your kid to work for the day or part of a day.  Give them a taste of a working stiff.

A historic event happens this summer-The 2016 RIO Olympics.  Create your own “Home Games.”  In a recent episode of The Goldbergs, they created some very interesting “sports”.   Your kids can become sporty heroes while watching the athletes at RIO.

My all time favorite summer activity is going to the library on a slow day.  Libraries have loads of things to do.  There are lap-sits and story and craft time.  There are books for every topic, movies and meeting other neighborhood kids and parents.  It’s all there, FREE!

When all else fails, dig out a closet, excavate an old favorite toy, book or game.  Relaxing is the goal.  Breathe and rest.  Summer will be over faster than you can pull out your Visa card.