When I was a kid, I always looked forward to summer vacation. The days were long and the agenda... well, there wasn't one. With the exception of some swimming and gymnastics classes over the years, I spent my summer vacations relaxing, playing outside and just using my imagination. My mom was able to spend time with me, and we'd watch old reruns on TV or go shopping together.
These days, whether by necessity (both parents work), or choice, most students' summer vacations are hardly a break at all. Many attend all day programs or camps as well as educational enrichment classes. Others get drilled with flashards or workbooks to keep up skills while school is out.
How, then, can we make sure to cultivate some relaxing summer days for our children like the ones many of us remember?
The homework-free evenings of summer mean that even if kids are in day care or all day camp, there is still time for fun. This involves doing things in the evenings that normally would not happen during the school year. Maybe the kids can stay up a bit later, or the family can go for ice cream once a week. Summer is also a good time to work on those elaborate at-home arts and crafts projects that had to take a back seat during the school year. Older kids would enjoy making a family scrapbook with their parents. In addition, it may be fun to dust off the board games and have a weekly family game night. Movie nights are equally popular. Of course families with pools will want to spend time there. Swimming at night is especially fun and a perfect activity for those hot Arizona evenings. The kids (and parents!) can float on rafts and gaze at the stars. Have you told your kids about their grandparents' childhoods? What about yours? The quieter nights of summer provide an excellent opportunity for sharing and bonding.
I think it's ok for formal learning to cease for a few months. Some of the fun family moments kids enjoy over the summer will provide learning of a different kind, and memories for a lifetime.
Debbie Akers, a northeast Phoenix mom of three young sons, is a member of the Arizona Republic's Parent Advisory Panel.
We make sure our kids have
We make sure our kids have fun in the summer. I do have to put them in a day camp to work, but I let them pick the activity. My daughter will go to a theater camp this year. She sometimes dreams of being a rock star, but she likes the experience of getting on stage and doing musical theater. So while she'll be learning, hopefully she has fun, too. This year my son just wants to go to a regular camp with field trips. Just play time. That's cool, too.
We do try to read every night, even in summer. But I don't do the flash cards. I did try one time buying those activity books. It's OK a few times, but they hated the books. Both kids do great in math, but I "drill" them by asking every day questions. How much change will I get back, if I buy 5, how much will that cost? It's basic, but it's amazing how many kids don't know how to do that math quickly in their heads.
Our summers do have a routine. It's get home, go swimming, eat dinner, watch a show or DVD, read, sleep. The kids can't wait to jump in the pool, but the water is still a little chilly.
The other special my kids get every summer is spending a couple of weeks with grandma and grandpa - who live in a neighboring state. They get to do the lazy days of chasing the dogs and exploring nature. And my parents get to connect with their grandkids. My husband and I get much needed alone time - we usually take a short trip to Vegas or splurge on a fancy dinner without having to spend another $40 or so on a sitter. Only bad thing about it is how much I miss the kids, so we call every night.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
I totally agree, although it
I totally agree, although it is a bit harder in Arizona because it's so HOT! We do lots of swimming and attend the library regularly. I usually try to do playdate swaps with friends so we still get some social time.
Brooke Romney is an unbalanced mom of three young boys who constantly has too much to do, and too little time. She writes the Mom Beat column for The Gilbert Republic.