It won't be long before we close the book on another school year. That means we've got a long summer of full-time kid entertaining ahead of us.

The good news is, there's plenty to do in the months between school bells. The better news is, many summer activities for kids are absolutely free. You just have to know where to look.

Every year, we look forward to free sports clinics, free summer movies and free arts and crafts activities at the museum. My older son's favorite free summer activity is Vacation Bible School. He usually attends our church's VBS as well as his old preschool's VBS.

These week-long programs each give him one week of free fun out of the house. They're also a great learning opportunity, a chance to meet new friends and the activities burn a lot of that boy energy.

Our local radio stations also offer free summer movies, both outdoors and at the local movie theaters. If we can bypass the concession stand, it doesn't cost a fortune to see the movie. The only cost is our drive to the movie theater or park where they're showing the movie.

Another one of our favorite summer hangouts is the library. Our library offers themed days, such as exploring the life of a firefighter, getting to meet firefighters from the area and exploring a real fire engine the department brings to the library for the kids. We also enjoy the free summer reading programs that offer incentives, even prizes, for kids to keep reading all summer long.

There's no shortage of fun, free summer activities for kids. You can stay busy just about every day of the summer if you want so you don't hear one, "I'm bored!" complaint.

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A mom friend of mine recently joked about having her daughter's hearing tested because her little girl rarely listens when mom is trying to get her attention. Her hearing is fine. Just like most kids, it's selective, hearing mom or dad when it's more convenient for the child rather than the adult.

We've all had those parenting moments when we repeat ourselves, repeat ourselves, repeat ourselves. It can be quite aggravating when the tiny people you love so much act as if you don't exist.

I even remember telling my husband a couple of years ago that our dog listened better than our then-four year old! But you don't have to speak as if you have an imaginary friend you're talking to when you're simply trying to get your child to hear you.

Improve your child's listening skills with simple listening exercises. Your child will become a better listener, which will also help save your sanity at the same time.

Of course, it takes time for kids to get in the habit of disengaging from the activity they're involved in and perking up those ears when you call them. But with a little patience, you can encourage them to improve their listening skills, which will help them at home and school.

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This Mother's Day will be a record-breaking year. Consumers are expected to spend $20.7 billion on gifts for mom, according to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) facts.

Jewelry, smartphones and iPads are expected to be in those shiny packages with the pretty bow on top. More of the NRF's Mother's Day facts show the average consumer is expected to spend $168.94 on mom.

Although the numbers make it seem like Mother's Day is one of those commercial holidays created to increase spending, the day that honors mom actually dates back long before there was a greeting card store just down the street. Another fun Mother's Day fact is that the ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated their moms too.

There's so much to learn about Mother's Day. Recite a poem for mom. Tell her a joke. Surprise her with the perfect pancakes. This guide to Mother's Day fun covers the history, food, inspiration, humor and more. It's a great way to impress mom on the day that celebrates all she does for you throughout the year.

Happy Mother's Day!

Related Resources:

• Host a Party for Mom
• Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Mom
• Gifts Mom May Not Want

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Mother's Day is a big deal around here. Not so much for me but for my kids who are into anything that gives them an excuse to eat cake.

We like to enjoy the day in our own way. I prefer time with my family and seeing the little treasures my children create for me vs. flowers that you know you'll have to throw away once they start to wither and fade.

My husband even gets into the Mother's Day celebration. He and the kids work together to make breakfast for me, which is a nice change of pace, and he even hurries us to the car so we can go out for ice cream.

If you like non-traditional gifts like I do, you'll love Mother's Day ideas that break away from those predictable gifts. Number seven on the list is my favorite by far. Although, I could be persuaded to take advantage of the second one on the list too!

Related Resources:

• Mother's Day Fun
• Gift Ideas for Mom
• Throw a Mother's Day Party

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