Another guest post by Daniel Sherwin, author and father.
Planning for the summer as a single father
presents plenty of challenges. However, if you properly “gear up” for the
season by getting appropriate equipment and clothing, you can make the most of
summer as a family. Here are a few areas to focus and work on this coming
summer.
Pool
Area
Summer is going to be hot, and the focal point
of any hot summer is the pool. Kids love them, and their exuberance can mean
they may not fully appreciate the dangers associated with them. Unfortunately,
life is not always accommodating to solo dads, and you may not be around to
provide the necessary supervision. With that in mind, it's important to “gear
up” your pool's safety. Look to local stores as there
may be bargains to be had, and their insights could be better suited to the specific needs of your area. Safety equipment options are diverse, so concern what works best for you and the legal requirements of your location. Fences are a good choice because they can create an initial barrier of
security against unsupervised pool use, and are often required by law. Back this up with a lockable, alarmed
gate as an additional deterrent. A pool alarm could provide another layer of
safety, as it can be triggered when an object, like a child, hits the water.
Clothing
Shopping for clothes isn't the easiest thing
to do when it comes to summer gear. Our kids may be picky, and they may turn
their nose up at some of the choices we make for them. Given that, it could be
a good idea to give your child some leeway when it comes to the process of
summering up their wardrobe. Not only will they feel more engaged, but it could
stimulate their imagination when it comes to visualizing their “look.” Whatever
their preferences, however, some basics will be important, such as bathing
suits, sandals, sunglasses, and wide-brim hats. Summer-appropriate gear should
ideally be cotton. There will be additional considerations to take if you plan on
vigorous activities with your kids, like biking, hiking, or other sports. Therefore, don't
overlook necessary protective gear, like helmets and padding.
Fun
Equipment
Sometimes, kids just want to lounge around in
the heat or stay inside with air conditioning. However, summer is a
great time to stay active and for your kids to enjoy some really
valuable quality time with their dad. If you're worried about the expense―and
finances can be an issue for all single parents—you could consider checking
charity shops. thrift stores, or consignment shops. You may find a few inexpensive gems that
your kids might love. Bikes and scooters, rollerblades, baseballs and soccer
balls, hula hoops, jump ropes, and racquets are all great ways to bond, have
fun, and make the most of an active summer. All of these activities will require
appropriate summer gear to keep your children safe from the heat and any
physical injury.
The
Home
Your neighborhood will be teeming with life
come summer. It's the perfect opportunity to immerse your children in their environment and help them learn while they
enjoy the heat. Look locally to make various additions to the outside of your home. If you don't have a bird
feeder or bath, consider installing them because they are perfect for creating more wildlife activity
in your yard. It's a great way to get children excited about nature firsthand and up close. Get your kids involved in garden maintenance. Buy child-friendly tools and encourage them to
care for new pots and flowerbeds, as well as weed and water parts of the yard.
It can be an effective way to connect with your children and reduce some of the
strain you deal with.
Summer is a wonderful time, ideal for creating
enduring memories and strong bonds. Fatherhood is not easy at the best of
times, but with the right investments, especially locally sourced, you can give
yourself the tools necessary to provide an exciting and fun environment for
your children. By giving attention to summer gear, you can help strengthen your
familial relationships.
Image Courtesy of Pixabay
Daniel Sherwin is the proud single father to two amazing kids (a daughter and a son). After noticing the lack of resources on the web for single dads, he started DadSolo.com so that others could learn from his successes, failures, and everything in between.
Blog Administrator: Trisha Roberts
proeducationaltoys@gmail.com
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