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Mothers make the world go round. Whether we are picking our kids up from school, making sure dinner is ready every night, and keeping everyone clean (or as clean as possible) there is no telling the exact amount of things we do on any given day.
A big part of being able to handle our kids after school is making sure they’ve gotten all their energy out, so they are ready for bed at a sane time (and so you can get some time to unwind yourself).
While school can be a great way for kids to learn new things and channel their energy into constructive activities, they aren’t always able to get out all the physical energy they carry around every day.
As moms, we are always looking for ways our kids can spend their time constructively. There are a ton of ways to make sure your kid get the daily exercise they need, as well as expending some of the energy that might keep them up late at night.
Here are five great ways to make sure your kids use their energy positively.
Volunteering
Volunteering can be a great way for kids to learn social responsibility, as well as to spend some of that extra energy. Not only will they be helping others in need, but they’ll be learning valuable life lessons along the way.
Not to mention volunteering can be very helpful in building self-esteem and consideration for others as they grow up.
Daily Chores
Chores around the house aren’t an old adage. They’re a solid way to get your kids to help with the responsibilities around the house, and they’re a way to make sure they learn about being responsible.
As an example, growing up, our mother used to assign each of us chores around the house every Friday after school. That way, the house was clean for the weekend and when we were done, we were able to do other things of our choosing. By the end of that day, we always ended up pretty tired. Looking back on it, it was a great way to invest our energy.
Dance Lessons
Dance lessons can be a great way for a kid to learn a method of self-expression while also spending any extra energy they may have. Many kids find real solace and creative expression through dance, no matter their gender.
To get them more into it, there are discount dance supply options you can look into to get them all geared up for their dance classes. I’ve noticed it helps motivate kids more when they have gear that they can call their own to get whatever it is they do, well, done.
After School Sports
This one is a no brainer, and one you should highly consider if you haven’t already. After school sports have way too many benefits on kids physically and mentally to be able to do them justice and list them all in detail here.
They help your child with increased cognitive functions, better muscle formation, more focus in school, and even better metabolism overall. And of course, one of the great positives for moms is that they’ll be able to invest their extra energy wisely before coming home to wind down.
Dinner Duty
One way to keep your kids busy is to get them to help you with dinner, hence dinner duty. Setting up dinner is always a process. It includes setting the table, then cleaning the table, washing the dishes, and putting away leftovers.
Encouraging them to join you in the process of preparing dinner gets them moving and teaches them responsibility as well.
There Are Lots Of Activities For Your Kids
These are only a few ways you can help you kids get the most out of their rambunctious energy out. Whichever way you choose to help your kids out, they will always be able to learn something of value that they can put to use in their adult life (and for which they’ll thank you later).
As moms, we are always concerning ourselves with everything our kids do and whether they should be doing less or more. The key thing overall is to maintain perspective, and let your kids choose the activities they think they’ll excel at the most.
1/9/18 Hello there! Well, my grandfather ended up needing surgery. Instead of hemorrhoids like he thought he had a rectal prolapse and a bowel impaction. I am waiting for him to get back from his procedure now.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.