Summer break is over, and no one is particularly happy about it. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have time to still do something meaningful with your tweens and teens before homework starts rolling in.
Wonky’s Not So Famous Treats
We decided to surprise our kids with a “candy tasting.” Imagine if you went to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. You’d probably see treats of all shapes and sizes. Displays where everything is edible. Color-changing drinks. Chocolate in the form of solids, liquids, and everything in between. You might even battle some evil sea creature that’s made entirely from candy.
Actually, I’m describing our experience at Wonky’s Not So Famous Treats! This was the most amazing experience with the coolest aesthetics. We all enjoyed the ocean decor and the jellyfish hanging from the ceiling. The kids enjoyed discovering all the edible items on the dessert platter. Those sweet and creative treats were mind-blowing. The kids sampled the tentacle twizzlers, chocolate rocks, gushy eyeballs, delicious cheesecake, and so much more. And Wonky’s offered a variety of flavors and textures: chewy, crunchy, chocolaty, fruity, sour, creamy, cold, gummy, and tarty. Oh, and the adult drinks were on point.
Final Summer Curriculum Update
Our kids finally rode the MATA bus, and the experience did not disappoint! We started off by giving them a bus schedule and explaining to them that they were to ride the bus from our community to Downtown. Together, they researched what the Downtown terminal looks like so they would know it when they got off. They also familiarized themselves with the names of major streets they would encounter. We gave each child a dollar for the bus fare and dropped them off.
Midway through their bus ride, we texted the kids and asked them how it was going. When they replied that they were bored, hubby and I decided to offer extra credit: “Great!!! Here’s your mandatory extra credit. After exiting the bus, you must get on the trolley and use ‘Find My’ to locate us. We will be on South Main.”
The kids loved the challenge, but it soon appeared that they were in over their heads. Ten minutes later, the kids called us. “Mom,” they said, “we got off too early. We don’t know exactly where we are.” I took a deep breath and replied, “You have all the technology you need at your fingertips. Figure out where you are and the distance to where you should be.” (Don’t worry, I knew exactly where they were.) Within minutes, they called back and said that they were a block from the terminal and were headed for the trolley. They used “Find My” to locate us and rode the trolley to our exact location.
Here are the kids’ experiences in their own words:
16-year-old: I liked when the bus took off, but soon it was meh.
12-year-old: It was fun at first, but the smell was odd.
12-year-old: When you first get on, it’s fun! But when strangers started coming on and talking weirdly, it got awkward.
10-year-old: The ride was really bumpy and a little scary for me!
School-Year Prep
You might not be ready for school, but school is ready for you! Here are a few tips:
• If you have a teenaged daughter, make sure she keeps a “period pack” at school. This should consist of a few pads and wipes as well as a clean pair of underwear and school appropriate pants. (Because accidents do happen.)
• Assign each teenager a laundry day. On that day, their laundry must be washed, dried, folded, or hung up.
• Remind the kids of the difference between the school’s grading scale and your grading scale. (A 70 is still a D to me.)
• Create a school supply stash. Yes, you’re going to spend hundreds of dollars on school supplies. And yes, by October your child is still going to need something.
• Keep at least $40 in ones at home. Nothing is worse than finding out at the last minute that you need $13 for a field trip. (Schools are not at liberty to give change for $20 and there’s too much to do in the morning to stop for cash.)
• Backpacks must be packed the night before.
Tips from teenagers to teenagers
• Complete your assignments as soon as you get them.
• Use your time after school wisely.
• A friend who is mean to other people is not your friend.
• Get your clothes ready the night before.
• Charge your school device.
• Don’t skip first or second breakfast.
• Always carry deodorant. Always.
• Never tell anyone your locker combination.
• Structure is your friend.
Also … my eldest got a 28 on the ACT! #proudparent.
Patricia Lockhart is a native Memphian who loves to read, write, cook, and eat. @realworkwife @memphisismyboyfriend
