Mother-Son Activity Calendar: 12 Months of Special Outings with Your Boy

The stereotype is true: Young boys really do love their mommas. They come to us when they’re hurt. They give the best bear hugs. They get insanely excited to show us their new Hot Wheels, plastic dinosaur or even just a cool rock. If you’re like most “boy moms,” you wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.

As they grow older, it’s important to continue nurturing this special bond by carving out one-on-one time to spend with your boy. Whether he’s still a toddler or becoming a handsome tween right before your eyes, these mother-son activities will help you grow closer than ever.

1.     January – Go Ice Skating

The holidays may be officially over, but January’s brutally cold weather is perfect for outdoor ice rinks. Why not take your son to your nearby skating rink and sneak in one last skating session before the rink closes for good?

Learning to find your balance on the ice can be tricky, so make sure you both utilize a stabilizing bucket until you get the hang of it. Even with the bucket, you’ll probably end up with a bruised bum at the end of the day. But hey, that’s what love is all about.

2.     February – Play Games at the Arcade

C’mon, is there any boy on the planet who wouldn’t be absolutely thrilled to go to the arcade? We can’t think of a single one. Your son will love playing the latest and greatest games while racking up tickets to exchange for a prize later. Get in on the action with multiplayer games that make you a true mother-son team or challenge him to a heated game of air hockey.

3.     March – Visit a Museum

If March’s finicky weather is derailing your plans, consider taking your little one to a children’s museum. Sure, the museum’s interactive exhibits unleash your inner germaphobe like no other (that’s what hand sanitizer is for 😉) and you might be a little unnerved at the sudden interest your son has taken in ancient Mayan sacrifice rituals, but it’s all part of the fun. When the rain finally stops, you can zip down to the ice cream parlor across the street and finish the day on a sweet note.

4.     April – Take a Family Fitness Class

Are April showers keeping you and your son stuck indoors? Sign up for a family fitness class to get out some of that pent-up energy (both yours and his). Since the fitness classes are geared towards families, you don’t need to worry (errrr, as much) about your little one irritating everyone with his crazy antics.

Not sure which family fitness class is right for you and your son? Try a yoga class. In addition to offering a vast number of physical benefits, yoga can provide a slew of mental health benefits for kids, such as better academic performance and higher self-esteem.

5.     May – Go Golfing

PSA: Dads don’t have a monopoly on golfing with their sons. If you want to hit the links with your son, then do it! Golfing is an underrated mother-son activity that can help grow your special bond while building his lifelong love for the game.

To make him feel like a pro, be sure to pick him up some boys’ golf clothes made with UPF protection and quick-drying fabrics. Not only will he stay cool and comfortable on the green, the quick-drying fabrics will help keep the pre-teen stink under control.

6.      June – Pack a Picnic and Go Fishing

Is your son addicted to video games and electronics? Take a break from the screens by going on a picnic and a fishing trip. You can make sandwiches beforehand, buy his all-time favorite chips (Cool Ranch Doritos, obviously), grab some drinks and throw it all in the Yeti cooler for your outdoor adventure. Just remember to keep it fun and safe by choosing an easily accessible area that isn’t too far from civilization.

7.      July – Hit the Water

For most of the country, July is hot, hot, HOT. While the high heat can be miserable at times, it’s also the perfect excuse to grab your boy’s swim trunks, get his favorite beach toys and have a blast out on the water.

If you’re lucky enough to live by a beach, spending the day making sandcastles together is always a fun time. Is your son a little old for such kid-like activities? Take him kayaking, boating or deep-sea fishing for a fun experience he’ll never forget. 

8.     August – Take a Mini-Vacay

Don’t look now, but summer vacation is slowly coming to an end. Now is a great time to sneak in a mini-vacay with your son before school starts up again. It doesn’t need to be a long trip—a quick day trip or a weekend getaway will be perfect. That’s just enough time to explore new ground and make fond memories together.

Worried about your other child getting jealous of their sibling? Just be sure to plan a special one-on-one trip with them later. That way, you can nurture your special bond with both of your kids.

9.     September – Check Out the Farmers Market

Who doesn’t love a good farmers market? There’s fresh produce, beautiful blooms, happy people and, of course, the chance to support your local growers. Oh, and did we mention the delicious samples? Drool.

You can easily turn a trip to the farmers market into a special outing with your boy. Just have him help you find food items for a home cooked meal to make together later that evening. Not only will it make him feel more involved in the meal prep, he’ll have a great time looking through each tent to find exactly what you need.

10.      October – Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Fact: You’re never too old to visit a pumpkin patch. There’s the thrill of trying to find the best pumpkin, the fun hayrides and, of course, the tasty cup of apple cider (and a delicious apple cider donut, mmm…) that always makes the trip worth it–rain or shine. There’s also the corn maze, which can either be an absolute blast or cause you to go into full panic-mode when your son suddenly has to pee and you have no idea how to get out of the stupid thing. Ah, good times.

11.      November – Volunteer

’Tis the season for giving back! Teach your son the importance of giving back to his community by volunteering together. If he’s old enough, consider having him help you serve meals at a soup kitchen or your local Meals on Wheels program. Other ways you and your son can give back together include running a charity race together (excellent for working off that eggnog, BTW), donating items to your local food bank and helping out your local veterans’ community.

12.      December – Drive Around to See Christmas Lights

If your son is little, he’ll LOVE going on a car ride to see the dazzling array of Christmas lights that light up the city. Ask your neighbors for recommendations on which neighborhoods are best for holiday light viewing. Once you have your route planned, take your son out for a drive with Michael Buble’s White Christmas on blast (the best holiday album there is, hands down). He’ll love the spectacular lights in different colors, and you’ll love the quality time you get to spend with him.

Hot New Product - Third Kind Skateboard Lights

Whether you’re riding into the night or lounging around your patio, add an out of this world glow to your summer madness. Installation is easy - simply mount to any application without additional hardware. It’s beyond anything you’ve ever seen and makes a great gift for the adventurous friend in your life. 

Third Kind™ skateboard lights do not affect your board’s performance whatsoever and include the following fabulous features:

• Versatile and handy– Not only is it great for skateboards, bikes and strollers, Third Kind™ also offers a variety of different kits for any activity and use around your home, on your boat or for a camping trip.

• Compact and lightweight – Third Kind™is half the size of a dollar bill and half the weight of most cell phones; making it easy to throw in your pocket or purse. Measurements: 80mm L x 73mm W x 22mm H” 3.4 oz

• Micro USB Rechargeable –Battery is water and impact resistant and can last 10+ hours per charge.

• Super bright, super cool – Each and every kit includes red, blue, green, white, pink, gold, purple (blacklight) and party mode! 

• Be seen, be safe –Endorsed by law enforcement, Third Kind™ has saved lives with its meticulously designed lights that can be seen a mile away! Third Kind™ retails 

for $49.95 at thirdkindbeyond.com or you can purchase at distributors’  nationwide 

Voice of Play - PLAYFul Trends 2016 @Voice_of_Play #PlayfulTrends

We all know that it's important to get up and get outside, but in today's world where technology is so out of control, it's easy to get sucked into a virtual vortex and let a beautiful day slip by. Voice of Play encourages kids and adults alike to get up off that sofa, walk away from that computer chair, and get play. They've come up with a list of eight "PLAYful Trends" that all families should put into practice. They will not only keep you more physically fit, but also encourage quality time with your children. My family already practiced most of these trends, but we're making it a point to do try to them all at least one day a week.  Check out the trends and see which ones you can check on your list.

1) An Hour a Day

Voice of Play recommends you spend an hour a day playing with your children.  Any type of play keeps your brain's juices flowing. Kids learn by play, whether they are developing their balance skills on the monkey bars or  playing a board game where they practice their reading or number skills. One of our favorite activities is pretend play, which can helps kids learn about careers or regular daily tasks they will have to perform someday. 

2) Made to Move

Our bodies were designed to stay in motion. That means, we should get up and move every day. Personally, I try to go out and walk with my dog on our local nature trail every day,  no matter what the weather. The only time we stay in is if there is a hurricane warning. Walking is fun, relaxing, and a great way to stay in shape. As an added bonus, walking in the woods is said to help bring down your blood pressure!

3) Beyond Childhood

Kids aren't the only people who need time to play! Play is fun for adults as well! Find what you love to do and do it! It could be extreme sports or something as relaxing as a drum circle of Chakra meditation. Get your children involved, too, if you can! My teen daughter and I always go to drum circles together! 

4) It's Better Outside

Fresh air is good for you! Take a little time to go outside with your family. Play at the park or walk on the beach.  If you exercise, take your routine to the next level by doing it somewhere where you are embraced by mother earth.

5) Back to Nature

Nature is a part of us. It's deep in our souls. Embrace the magic of nature and  learn to live in harmony with it. Spend some time outside each day. Explore the nature trails in your neighborhood. If you leave in a city, take a ride to the woods once in a while.  You can even do something as simple as gazing up at the stars on a clear night. Embrace nature, because you are a part of it!

6) All Inclusive

People of all ages and abilities deserve the chance to play. Today, more and more locations are making sure their play spaces are universally designed. This could include things like wheelchair accessibility or swings designed for special needs children. No one should ever feel left out!

7) Take Chances

Don't stick with the things you're comfortable with, and don't be afraid to let your kids explore (within reason).  Let them try the monkey bars alone, take off those training wheels, and take the path less traveled. This is how you grow and learn through play!

8) Mind Expanding

While we don't want our kids hooked up to video games all the time, leaning games are definitely okay! Skip the violence and look for games that are educational.  Leapfrog and ABC Mouse are two of my favorites.

Looking at these trends gives us just a few tips on how we can make our summer and our whole lives more fulfilling, just by playing!  Make a promise to your family to put an hour aside each day where you concentrate on play! The Voice of Play wants us as parents to make  this promise official by signing a Play Pledge. Check it out and add your name to the list!  For more great ideas on how to engage your family with play, be sure to visit Voice of Play on their website.

The post is brought to you by Activate by Bloglovin and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

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National Get Outdoors Day #Getoutdoors16.

As kids it was easy for us to spend time outdoors – to go barefoot in the grass, play in the mud, explore the wilderness. As we get older we find ourselves struggling to find the time to do the things we once loved. As adults, we may be caught up in our everyday hustle and bustle, but our kids deserve the opportunity to get out and experience the laughter and carefree fun that we once cherished. Make the time! It is worth it – and nature is much closer than you might think. Every neighborhood has a #Naturehood. DiscoverTheForest.org highlights urban forests and parks. These “naturehoods” are just a short drive away, making it easy for families to unplug from the daily routine and reconnect with nature. While there are still many people living in rural areas, over 80% of Americans have chosen to move into metropolitan areas with fewer connections than ever to natural areas. But what many people may not realize – there are urban areas that offer many of the same benefits as their more rural counterpart, the national forests. Beyond the swings, slides and clearings, there are trails, trees, wildlife and water just waiting for the urban dweller.

 The Ad Council and the US Forest Service will be launching a campaign to motivate families to get out and explore the outdoors. Saturday, June 11^th, is National Get Outdoors Day and we want to encourage everyone to make the time – get up and get outside! National Get Outdoors Day will include a series of events offering traditional and nontraditional outdoor activities across the nation. Events may include special guests like Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl and free admissions to our national forests so families can experience activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and archery. Just use this simple interactive map tool to search for nearby activities. Or Visit the “Get Your Pass” section of www.everykidinapark.gov, complete an online activity, and download a personalized pass for free entry onto federal lands and waters locations. Research has shown that children who play outside have lower stress levels and more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems and are more likely to become environmentally conscious in the future. According to campaign research done by Euro RSCG, 88 percent of children today say they like being in nature, and 79 percent wish they could spend more time there.

 You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Engage your senses, spend some quality family time and expand your imagination with some fun outdoor activities. Share your family fun on Instagram using the hashtag #ForestFotog. And to make things a little more exciting, starting Saturday, June 11^th, and running for several weeks, Discover the Forest will post a creative photo of the forest and ask followers to replicate the photo with their family and participate using #Getoutdoors16. Who doesn’t love a great scavenger hunt?

Buzz Away Extreme Keeps Your Family in a Mosquito Free Zone - #Giveaway #DiscountCode #bugfreefun

There is only thing that I hate about spring and summer--the torrents of mosquitoes that seem to plague me everywhere I go. I feel like there are swarms of them surrounding me every time I step out my door, especially at my favorite nature trail.  We go there almost every day to walk our dog, and my poor kids get covered in itchy bites and than scratch them until they bleed. I have used lots of different insect repellents to try to keep them away, but recently I came across one that is different than the rest.  Buzz Away Extreme is a DEET free insect repellent that works great and is a healthier alternative that is safe for the whole family.

With the mosquito out full force, it was the perfect time to try Buzz Away Extreme. Just a little of this spray on repellent goes a long way. It goes on clean and it's not sticky like some other repellents. It has a light citronella scent that is not overwhelming. It's safe for kids on all ages because its all natural, and it works great. When we were out today I didn't get one bite and neither did my kids. In addition to the full size bottles, you can also opt for individually packaged towelettes, which are great for when you're on the go. You can stick a few in your handbag, wallet, or glove compartment, so you're always prepared if any pests decide to make an appearance.

With Buzz Away Extreme, there is no sticky residue. There are no harsh odors. Yet, it really does work great. My kids used it outside during soccer practice, playing at the park, and even while they were fishing, and they didn't have one mosquito bite to show for it. Of course, it worked great at the nature trail too! In addition to blocking mosquito attacks, it also deters ticks and flies, which are another big concern this time of year. Buzz Away Extreme is a simple and natural way to keep your kids itch free. 

Buzz Away Extreme is a fantastic product you can feel good about using for your family. Stock up today to stay bug-free all summer long! To learn more about Buzz Away Extreme, be sure to visit their website. 

Discount Code

If you're thinking about making a purchase, now would be a great time. Simply use the code
10OFFBUZZ to get 10% off any Buzz Away Extreme product at quantumhealth.com. The code is valid through September 30, 2016 and can be used once per customer.

The Giveaway

Quantum Health loves the outdoors and is driven to keep families safe from outdoor health-related threats. With growing concern this year surrounding mosquito-borne diseases, it is more important than ever to protect our families from these biting pests. Buzz Away Extreme is an all-natural insect repellent made with essential plant oils that delivers the same protection as many chemical DEET-based repellents, without the negative effects on individual health and the environment.   There are many summer outdoor adventures waiting including:  

         -Visiting a National or State Park- Most state and National parks have free days each summer. Here is the national park free day schedule. 

         -Taking a hike at a new trail. Try these fun hiking activities for kids. 

         -Visiting a Wildlife Refuge. Find one near you at fws.gov/refuges. 

         -Camping at a local campsite, or in the backyard. Check out these unique camping activities for kids. 

Want to win some great prizes? Use Buzz Away Extreme on your own family adventure, tthen share pictures on Facebook with the hashtag #bugfreefun to be entered to win a Buzz Away Extreme Super Pack which includes an 8oz bottle of Buzz Away Extreme, container of child-friendly towelettes and a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

Veranda Outdoors Snowstoppers #Giveaway

This giveaway is

hosted by Housewife on a Mission & sponsored by Veranda Outdoors

Can you believe it's almost already the middle the November? This year has flown by for us, and before we know it, we'll be experiencing winter and all the fun that comes with it. This includes playing in the snow making snowmen, having snowball fights, sledding, and drinking hot cocoa by the fireplace.

 My kids love making snowmen. We had a whole lineup at our house last winter. While playing in the snow is so fun, it's also cold and one of the worst feelings is your hands, wrists and skin hurting because of coming into contact with cold snow. Don't you just hate it when you get snow up your coat sleeves and onto your skin? Well, I'm excited to introduce you to SnowStoppers, made by Veranda Outdoors. They are waterproof mittens and gloves that have an extra long cuff to go up your arms, to keep your forearms warm and dry!

(Image adapted from http://www.verandaoutdoors.com)

There are SnowStopper mittens and gloves that you can get for your whole family! They come available in sizes small enough for a 6 month old baby and go all the way up to sizes for adults-- because we adults love to play in the snow too, as well as ski and snowboard! Not only is there a great selection of sizes to choose from, but there are also lots of fun colors to choose from!

With winter quickly approaching, be sure to head on over and check out all the great SnowStoppers Veranda Outdoors offers! These extra long cuffs look like they will really come in handy when playing in the snow this winter!

Stay connected with Veranda Outdoors on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

Now for the giveaway!

One of our readers are going to win a set of gloves for their family of 5 (2 adult & 3 children mittens/gloves)!

Open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+ and ends on 11/24/15 at 11:59PM EST

Enter using the simple Giveaway Tools form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Housewife on a Mission and the participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment or shipment to giveaway winner. A winner will be drawn at random then emailed and have 48 hours to respond to claim their prize. If no response is given, another winner will be chosen. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and any other social media are not affiliated with this giveaway.

Fight Mosquitoes--Get Thermacell!

With the wet winter, mosquitoes are everywhere and Thermacell is the answer. Using patented technology, these lanterns and repellers are almost 98% effective at keeping biting pests at bay.

Moms really don’t want to douse their kids in DEET so they can enjoy the outdoors but the fear of mosquito borne illnesses in real.  Now there is a better way to enjoy your patio and yard without worrying about biting pests and getting big red, itchy welts.  Change the way you keep bugs at bay by simply turning on Thermacell Backyard Torches, Lanterns and Repellers!  They are an attractive, discreet, odorless and silent solution, clearing a 15x15ft area in literally minutes.  Visit www.thermacell.com to see the entire product collection.   The experts predict a buggy summer after such a wet winter. See is believing, request a sample and see for yourself.

How Thermacell works?

·         We use a copy of the natural repellent found in chrysanthemums to create a 15x15 ft zone of protection in just minutes.

·         Thermacell products use butane to heat a repellent pad to evenly and effectively vaporize a repellent in the air that biting bugs really HATE!  It does not kill insects, just repels them.

·         The products are EPA approved and have been tested by the U.S. Army in Turkey and Costs Rica for effectiveness against mosquitoes and in Maine against black flies. 

·         The U.S. Department of Defense has used Thermacell for over a decade to keep sand flies and other pests at bay.

Our Thoughts

We spend a lot of time at our cabin, and the bugs can be awful!  Some years aren't as bad, but this summer was particularly bad.  At one boat landing, the air was absolutely thick with bugs - to set foot outside the vehicle was to put a big flashing neon sign for the bugs that said "EAT HERE!" 

Now, I refuse to coat myself and my child in DEET; I prefer natural solutions.  Some work well, some don't.  I don't know if their effectiveness depends on the year or the bugs or what.  ThermaCELL uses allethrin, which is a synthetic copy of the natural repellent found in chrysanthemum flowers, so I was more than happy to give one of their lanterns a test run!

So, this last trip . . . we get to the cabin and what happens? NO bugs!  The weather had cooled and even at that same boat landing where the bugs had been so awful earlier in the year . . . hardly a single bug to be found.  We still found a great way to test the lantern out, though!  The mosquitoes come out at twilight, when we're ready to hit the hay.  One night, my husband commented on how bad the bugs were that night, so we turned on the lantern out in our screened in porch.  The house lights were attracting the mosquitoes and we could see tons of them on the window screens.  Within a few minutes of turning on the lantern, most of the bugs had vacated the area! 

I'm really glad to have one of these lanterns for use up at our cabin!  The lanterns are quite nice-looking, and would make for lovely ambient lighting at any outdoor event while keeping the bugs at bay.  Big thumbs up from me!

 

Visit online at ThermaCELL, on Facebook, and on Twitter.  ThermaCELL products can be purchased online and at mass merchants, hardware stores, and outdoor and sporting goods stores.  

Give Dad his Weekends Back with TaskEasy

What are you giving Dad for Father’s Day this year? A tie? Dress socks? Or maybe a gift card?

We all know how hard Dad works. It’s time to give him something that will really make him smile . . . and lighten his load.

This Father's Day, give your Dad his Saturdays back with TaskEasy, the on-demand lawn care service. Order a month or two of mowing for Dad at TaskEasy.com for the perfect Father's Day gift.

 

TaskEasy’s mission is to make lawn care as easy for customers as buying products online while helping licensed, insured, and reliable contractors generate more business. Just click, book, and relax. TaskEasy will handle things from there. Satisfaction guaranteed. After all, a well-kept yard shouldn’t cost Dad his weekend.

The TaskEasy concept emerged from the frustration that founder and CEO Ken Davis experienced while he was managing services like lawn care and snow clearing for his rental properties. Customers like him were spending countless hours searching for and vetting contractors and then auditing the work to verify performance. Ken and TaskEasy co-founder Joe Turner discovered a solution to the problem that would make buying services for customers, and fulfilling services for contractors, as easy as buying products online. Customers can buy services online instantly, and have quality, insurance, and full auditability of the service guaranteed.

“Ask, and you come. Delightful! We are so glad we found TaskEasy, and look forward to doing more business with the company and their contractors!” – Alex, TaskEasy customer

TaskEasy has performed more than 100,000 of tasks in more than 2,900 cities in all 50 states and has certified thousands of contractors.

Whether you use TaskEasy to find landscaping services for your yard, rental property, or business or to find snow clearing services for your aging parents, vacation home, or business parking lot, you can save time and money by taking the stress out of services management.

So give Dad the gift he really wants for Father’s Day this year—his weekends back—with lawn mowing from TaskEasy. Visit TaskEasy.com today to get 30% off on lawn mowing for Dad!