Summer is here; along with fireflies, boatrides, popsicles, and slip and slides….and the dreaded fear of your child’s summer-brain-drain. School is out and the upcoming weeks hold nothing but the promise of fun in the sun. As a parent it can be tough to find a balance between activities that your kids enjoy, and those that stimulate them both mentally and physically. So who has the answer? Is it relative to individual families and kids? Does anyone know where to find the Effectively Planning Your Child’s Summer for Dummies book?
The truth is this: for kids, the one thing that makes summer so exciting is the fact that there is no schedule. There’s nowhere you have to be, no homework to turn in, no projects due. But it becomes convoluted for parents when the expression “I’m bored” begins to sound like a record player stuck on repeat. Deciding how much scheduling is too much scheduling, coming up with things to do, and still maintaining both the budget and your sanity is merely impossible. But don’t raise your white parenting flag just yet- because help is around the corner.
The most vital step to planning summer fun is knowing what your child’s interests are. I’ve found it helpful to jot down a list of the things my daughter enjoys doing most, places she may like to go, etc. Also, I note the things that I find most important for them to do; whether it’s spending some time at grandma’s, working on spelling, or helping out around the house. I use this list as a reference when coming up with new ideas and activities; because the farther you stray from their interests, the farther you get from their idea of fun.
There are tons of websites dedicated to summer activities for kids. For penny pinching parents (which seems to be everyone these days), tips to making the most of your summer budget can be extremely useful. Turning an everyday chore, or boring task, into a game can spark the enthusiasm of any child. Creating a game doesn’t necessarily mean keeping score or having an opponent- it can be as simple as providing helpful behavior with a small reward. By using the resources around you (be it odd items in the garage, the computer, or construction paper and a little glue) and adding a little creativity- you can find numerous ways to keep summer both fun and beneficial. Be sure to look into websites of favorite TV shows, books, or characters. There are a variety of online games and learning opportunities available, as well as printable activities.
In closing, don’t forget to relax. Summer can be overwhelming if you attempt too much. Make time to do nothing, sleep in late, or lounge around. After all, that’s what summer is really about…right?
A tarp, some soap, and a lot of water turned our backyard into the neighborhood’s coolest slip-and-slide.
She really enjoyed building, painting, and decorating her bird house kit. (She’s the next Picasso!)
Vacationing (at sea) with her grandparents.
MATT VICKERY 