School's Out!
If you close your eyes and remember back to when you
left elementary school or middle school for summer
break each year, you'll surely relive the excitement
children feel when they realize school is out for
the summer. As parents, though, we face big changes
to the daily routine that we finally mastered during
the school year. While pondering the different
choices available to our kids for the summer,
parents must try to put together a schedule that's
both fun and enriching.
Send 'em to camp!
Some parents will decide, for various reasons, that
day camp or even overnight camp is the best way for
their kids to spend the summer. For others, day care
or a swim club or park is where the summer routine
begins each day.
Yikes, what do we do today?
For many parents, the summer means long days of
spending time with children who crave varied and
curiosity-arousing activities. There are so many
outdoor activities that you can enjoy with your
children, while at the same time reinforcing
responsible behavior. As kids frolic in the summer
sun, they can be learning how to become more
self-sufficient. Given certain situations, your
children can learn how to respect and cooperate with
others. Having the extra time and being in a less
structured environment will also mean your kids will
be making more decisions on their own, without the
help of a parent or teacher.
Bring on the Fun!
As your children plan activities with you this
summer, encourage them to be proactive in handling
the different responsibilities they face each day.
Empower your kids to be able to make decisions
themselves. Provide them with alternatives that are
acceptable to you and allow them to choose between
them. Have them practice cooperating with others and
have them take turns delegating and being in charge.
Many of the activities seem
obvious or familiar, but you may find a new
perspective in helping your children become
confident and self-assured.
Whew! Can you feel the heat?
The enriching activities included in this book are
an effort to provide parents with a starting point
from which to plan a healthy and fun summer with
their kids. Many of the activities seem obvious or
familiar, but you may find a new perspective in
helping your children become confident and
self-assured. Once your kids start to become more
responsible for themselves and learn how to respect
and cooperate with others, they will find all
activities to be much more entertaining, but
especially during the fun-filled days of summer!
From the book: 101 Tips on How to
Survive the Summer With Your Kids By Marty W.
Stewart
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