The summer is almost here! Take heart before you worry about the kids, your lazy teens, or endless video games. You don’t have to be surprised by the schedules or “I’m bored” s. With some preparation, you can enjoy a relaxing, fun, and only slightly crazy summer.
Make your plans now. Please do not wait until the bus stops coming before finalizing them. Mark off all the vacations, camps, and swim lessons you want to take, as well as Grandma’s Alaskan Cruise or your babysitter’s knee surgery. Keep whole days free to allow kids time to play. Schedule backyard campouts and beach days with a kiddie pool and sandbox if you live inland. You can also schedule lemonade stands and even take time off work to make sure your children have a great time when school starts again in the autumn.
Don’t stop working hard. Every child needs a break. If a child doesn’t use their newly acquired skills regularly, those skills could be lost by the time school starts again. Join a library program, buy some fun workbooks, or take your child on educational trips to museums, historic sites, or zoos. This will help them expand their world and learn. It’s a good idea to hire a tutor or look for summer programs if your child is struggling with his academics.
Don’t limit yourself to the sandbox. A child can only make so many Legos or sandcastles. There’s no reason to hear the same chorus of “I’m bored!” over and over again. Instead of watching TV, brainstorm a list of indoor and outdoor activities. You can get ideas from the Internet, your friends, or even the kids themselves. Create a “rainy-day box” with items like puzzles, games, and craft supplies that you can only use in rainy weather. Remember that you (or your TV) are not there to entertain your child all day. Instead, please give them the opportunity to develop creativity and resourcefulness as they get over their boredom.
Make it a rule. You can always count on more mess when your children are at home. You should also expect a little extra help. Make a Summer contract with your child and make sure that certain things, such as household duties, bedtimes, and media time, are non-negotiable. Write down with your child a list of contributions that she can make to the family every day or each week. For example, she makes the bed, empties the dishwasher, walks her dog, and weeds in the garden. Be clear that she will not be able to access any privileges like the one-hour media time until all her tasks are done. If she exceeds her media time limit, then she will lose her privileges for the following day. While later bedtimes may be okay, make sure they are consistent so that you don’t have to negotiate every night and your child gets the sleep they require. Sign the contract with your child and adhere to it.
These strategies will help you prepare for a summer that everyone will enjoy!
