Surviving Summer
Tips for making summers less chaotic and more joyful.
Parenting is hard enough during the year with school, activities, and work keeping everyone busy. While children may look towards summer with great anticipation, summer leaves many parents feeling overwhelmed. Surviving summer with kids can be challenging, but with a little planning, it can be easier than you think.
Keep the routine in the beginning
Maintaining a schedule and sense of routine can help parents and kids feel in control of their time. Your children have spent the last 9 months in a routine of getting up early, getting dressed, and getting out the door. While it can be tempting to let go of all of those routines as soon as summer begins, there are some places where maintaining routine might make sense. Having bedtimes, meals, and snacks at consistent times will help everyone maintain better moods. Letting kids stay up a little later every night is a good way to ease into a later bedtime. If your child is too old for naps, establishing a “quiet time” in his or her room can give everyone a chance to rest.
Get Outside
Spending time outdoors is a great way to take advantage of warmer weather and burn off that endless kid-energy! Hopefully, your kids love running around outside. If not, it might be worth investing in a trampoline, kiddie pool, squirt guns or sidewalk chalk to encourage the kids to get outside. Nearby parks, the zoo or public pools are always great options. Another option is to take a walk or go on a short hike. Encouraging kids to appreciate nature will inspire them to spend more time outdoors.
Digital Detox
Designate specific times and places you’ll spend without devices each day (example: dinnertime, and, for the kids, throughout most of the day as well); each week (perhaps technology-free Sundays); and each month (do a full digital detox when we are on vacation together). Some parents opt to create a short list of daily routines and activities (such as reading, academic practice, outside time, and more) that much be completed each day before screens can be turned on. Spelling out the new digital routines for kids lets them know what to expect.
Make a Boredom List
Make a list of things your child can do by themselves without your help if they get bored this summer.
Making a list helps encourage independence and makes it easier for children to play without their parents for longer periods of time. It’s not a parent’s job to entertain their children all summer long. In fact, research shows that boredom is good for kids’ development!
Staycation
A staycation can be enjoyable for the whole family. Sometimes, enjoying a mellow day of activities and food in a nearby town can be all that is needed to shake things up. Head to the beach for the day or visit a local tourist attraction. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create fond family memories.
Classes
If your budget allows, there are plenty of classes and camps available during summer that fit virtually every interest and budget. Local parks and community organizations such as YMCAs offer reasonably priced classes and camps. Take the time to check out all your options to find the ones the most affordable and best for your family. Many communities also organize playgroups to connect families with similar interests. Finding a group of other parents with kids the same age will make it easier to survive the summer months.
Vacation
Planning a family getaway can be exhilarating. Seeing new places can be just what your family needs to reset. Vacations do not need to be expensive. Camping is a fun adventure for kids. Staying in a condo with a kitchen to make meals (instead of dining out) is a great option to save money as well. If you have family nearby, send your children to Grandma and Grandpa’s house -- or whatever willing family members fall into your circle -- for the week. They might come back exhausted and full of junk food, but they will have made many special memories together.
Babysitter
Finding an occasional babysitter to help you out during the day can be a life saver. For summer-specific caregiving, consider teens or college-aged students. There are many young people who are also out of school looking to make a little summer cash.
Raise expectations regarding chores and responsibilities.
Kids have more time on their hands over the summer, which means that they have more time to help out around the house. Giving them real responsibilities around the house fuels an intrinsic sense of place and belonging.
Make the summer fun! We get 18 summers with our kids before they are adults. Make the most of the time you have together. Before you know it, fall will arrive and you will be back in your routine.
Fore more information, visit:
Transitioning to Summer Vacation (Thriving Parents)