My 2 stepsons are coming to stay with their father and I in 3 months for the whole summer. They are ages 7 and 9. I have never met them before, but haave talked to them on the phone. they live in another country with their mother and we get them every summer from now on.
What activities should I plan? What things should I buy? We live in a resort town, my home is 1 mile from the beach, so we have all kinds of rides and amusment parks. But what else do kids like to do? Zoo's? What are kids that age into? I know they like Superman and soccer, but what toys should i buy them?
Thanks for all of your help. I am a nervous step-mom to-be.
2007-03-16 17:12:01 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
You are in for a very fun summer! Those boys are at great ages, and you have a lot around you to do.
I would say the beach will be a HUGE attraction. They will probably like going there several times/wk.
If they like Superman, there are lots of superman action figures at Walmart. If they like action figures then they will be very good at amusing themselves.
Make sure you have some outside things they can do at home, too, like a sprinkler and GOOD water guns [not cheapies] and maybe hang some ropes from tree limbs so they can climb and swing.
Does whatever cable system you subscribe to have children's programming? If you don't have kids you might not know! It might be worth it to spend a little more for a few months.
Don't feel like you need to occupy their every minute. THey are going to want down time to relax and just play.
There might be classes through your local parks and rec dept that they could take, IF they were interested in doing so.
Don't buy them TOO many things - they will remember more the time you and your husband spend with them. They would rather have one board game that you play happily with them than to have ten board games without adult attention.
Have a great time!
2007-03-16 19:09:45 · answer #1 · answered by Cris O 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Stepmom here, been in your shoes and the greatest thing is that you are nervous and want the kids to have a good time, that means you have a good, kind heart! You'll be a great stepmom. The beach will be a big draw, playing in the sand and the waves. I would make sure you have some type of boogie boards. I would say floaty, but they are too old for that. Also, some sand castle building items might be fun for them, frisbee too? Take them to the movies, the zoo, any place that is not only interactive but educational and geared towards children is usually a safe bet. All that said, be sure to have some items in the house for down time. You'll need it and so will they. Rent video games, ask them to bring their favorite movies. Get some board games like battleship and then of course some board games the four of you can play together (hubby too). Also, if there is a sports camp available, that might be fun for them to attend, a few hours a day (not all day) but especially if they can be in the same group/team. Oh and I almost forgot the library if there is one, when it gets too hot to be out in the sun... Good Luck! Remember you don't have to entertain them the whole time, every minute of every day! LOL
2007-03-17 08:00:32 · answer #2 · answered by reddevilbloodymary 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what country you live in and what country the boys are coming from, there may be a summer sports league you could sign them up for if they are into that (ex. baseball, and you mentioned soccer)- getting them on a team can help introduce them to other kids their age and have them in an organized activity. Otherwise, swimming is definitely a great summertime activity for boys their age. If this is their fist time to your country, you could plan some site-seeing trips to some places that would interest them. Fairs, carnivals, and amusements parks are always good, too. Find out what they like to do and see which of those activities are offered in your area or what places you could visit that would showcase their interests. It will be great for you to get to know them and spend time together. Good luck.
2007-03-17 03:06:00 · answer #3 · answered by Jennifer S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sound excited as well as nervous. However, don't get carried away with buying your step children material things. The best gift you can give those kids is yourself. Spend quality time with them. Take them to the book store and let them select their own books. (Now that would be a novelty for them, I bet!) Do creative things with them - build a bird house with them or let them help you bake cookies. Keep it simple! Kids want your attention and time, and not your money. Far too often, do parents sign their kids up in some sport and drop them off in the care of the coach. If you should sign them up in a sport (which I would encourage) make sure that you are there too. Volunteer to help out at the ball park. Those boys will then see that you are genuinely interested in their activity and they will love you for it.
2007-03-17 15:44:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter what you buy them because you don't have to buy their happiness. If you start that, that is what they will expect every year. Just plan on playing games with them and maybe buy one small gift either when they arrive or when they leaving (you know as a welcome home gift or as a sorry you have to go, kind of gift). you don't want to buy a lot of stuff for because that is what they will use you for. You would their material mom and run out of money fast because of it. Just expect to have fun with them, go to the beach to a park maybe the zoo the first year, or to one of the amusment parks. You also have to remember that you don't have to take them to everything this year, spread out to the ages, they are still young so take them to the zoo this year, next year they will be old so you can go to an amusment park... so on and so forth.
2007-03-17 02:09:11 · answer #5 · answered by Mamma M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Iam also a step mom of two little girls there 2 and 3, but i have a 12 year old brother, and considering there boys and there at that playful age i would try buying them basket balls and base balls base ball gloves stuff like that, also video games are good too most kids there days love them, i would try water guns, a slip and slide a swiming pool or a swing set also... for indoor toys try cars and trucks a few board games... stuff like that good luck i know the feeling i have never met my 3 year old step daughter and ive been with my husband 2 years, so i know how it feels to be introduced to something new. good luck
2007-03-17 00:19:25 · answer #6 · answered by Julie C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you plan on going to the beach, boys love boogie boards! Maybe help them build a sandcastle or dig for some sandcrabs.
most kids love video games,ie..playstation, x box etc.. you can just rent the games at blockbuster video, because they can be costly to buy. if it is in your budget bikes are great boys always love to ride bikes or scooters. My boys used to love camping in the back yard. An inexpensive tent and a couple of sleeping bags really does the trick (oh don't forget the popcorn) Dont worry you'll do great boys that age are easy to entertain.
2007-03-17 00:40:29 · answer #7 · answered by kimpossible 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well take them to the beach and the park u need to buy them swimming shorts 4 the beach and mayb som board games like monopaly and sorry uno
2007-03-17 00:20:13 · answer #8 · answered by avilaizy96 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DEAR
IF YOU HAVE A RESORT TOWN THEN THEY WILL HAVE A BALL OF FUN WITH NO PROBLEMS OK
IF YOU HAVE A BEACH THAT WILL WORK ZOO WILL WORK BUY THEM DVD MOVIES GAME BOYS MOTOR BIKES RADIOS ETC ASK THERE FATHER WHAT HE THINKS OK
TAKE CARE
2007-03-17 03:04:12 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just remember you are not the "mother" so dont try to be. all boys like trucks and cars video games. take them to a movie.
get them a sand box, kites, or even a swing set.
2007-03-17 15:47:28 · answer #10 · answered by mom of 2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋