It is fast approaching, you can feel it in the air, the spring grass is getting a little dryer, unless it happens to be raining in your area, like it is mine…but in theory, summer approacheth. We are just over a week away from Memorial Day and the official beginning of summer is almost here. And the question looming on every parent’s mind is….
WHAT DO I DO WITH YOU?
Meaning, of course, your adorable offspring. Yes, summer is a time of liberation from learning, curriculum, boxed lunches and early bedtimes. It is a time of sun, vacation, pools, sunscreen and sunburn. Summer is a child’s ultimate license for freedom and yet when the those first six and a half days of summer end most often a parent is met with this mind spinning declaration! “I AM BORED!” And thus you beg the question, what do I do with you?
MAP OUT YOUR SCHEDULE
Before that last bell even rings, you should have a general idea of the major events that will be occurring over the summer holiday. Post a summer calendar in a visible place and block out in bright colors the really exciting things you have planned. Now, exciting doesn’t have to be trip to Europe…but if the trip fits, I’m just sayin’ book me a ticket. However, in today’s economy your big ticket summer excitement will probably be more in the “visit grandma” vein. However, whatever it is, camping trips to visiting friends and short little weekend breaks, mark them on the calendar. This helps kids get a visual idea of what they have in store. The great thing about school is, there are calendars and schedules to follow to keep kids mentally engaged in their activities. With a large sprawling space of time, like summer, a kid’s mind may start to float and stagnate, so keeping the kids motivated is important.
This e-how article gives more specific instructions about scheduling your kids summer break.
Make sure that on weeks where nothing major is planned to put in a few day trips or special activities so that kids don’t feel like there is nothing for them to do or look forward to that week.
You can also try these fun tips. This article gives you 101 things to do with your summer.
SUMMER CAMP
Not only is your child’s routine broken up by the fun and not so fun summer months, but yours is too. And whether you want to admit it or not those few hours where your children are away at school can be very rejuvenating for moms (and dads). A parent’s work is never done, there isn’t such a thing as a coffee or bathroom break when little junior’s truck has strayed under the couch or a sibling brawl has decimated the living room. Having kids out of the house can be a very cathartic time for parents to do chores, check up on personal pursuits such as say, online shopping and getting a little quite time in your mind, body and soul. That’s why there’s summer camp.
Summer Camps.com is a great research tool to help you find the right summer camp for your child. Not only does it comb through thousands of listings but you can tailor your search to fit your needs. They even have services that find camps in foreign countries if you and the family wanted to take a wild adventure.
Kids health also has this great article on the ways teens and children can approach summer holidays, by viewing them as a mix of relaxation and exploration.
SUMMER FESTIVALS
Lastly, try to go to a few summer festivals in your area. Check out and see where music, arts and crafts, food and entertainment festivals are coming to your area in the summer and plan a day of excitement in the sun. If there is a festival in a neighboring state or place that is a farther distance from your house try making it a great overnight trip.
Festival.com is a searchable database of absolutely everything you will ever want to know about summer festivals.
