Summer Survival Guide: Tips Every Parent Should Use
School is out and the kids are making a beeline for the video games, TV and the computer. It's easier for them to get into bad habits, and as parents, it's harder to stick to a structure now that the structure of school is gone. But there are things you can do to keep you and the kids in line. Here's our guide for surviving the summer:
Keep Bedtimes Consistent
It's ok to get to bed a little bit later than usual, but getting into the habit of staying up until they can't keep It's fine to get to bed an hour later in the summer if sleeping later is also possible, but getting into the habit of staying up until kids are over exhausted is not a great idea. It will also make the transition of getting to bed early for school way more difficult. Stick within an hour of regular bedtimes!
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Serve Meals on Time
Kids need predictability, and not just during the school year. Try not to get in the habit of feeding your kids way late. Instead, keep meals regular and keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand at all times so kids don't get cranky. If you're planning an outing, make sure you're prepared so you don't have to resort to fast food at the last minute.
Get Outside!
Today's kids spend only four to seven minutes outside per day. They log more than seven hours per day in front of electronic media. The National Wildlife Federation is encouraging families to make a pledge to spend more time outside. For more information, follow the link below and get outdoors! What's better during the summer than getting your kids outside. Make a difference in the health and well-being of our children and feel the difference it makes in you too.
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Schedule Free Time
Put some structure in the day -- put up a board and put activities, games, outside time, and free time on there. Add chores and dinners in and out -- put as much on there as you want. Then, get the kids to cross off what they have done. You can even add potential family trips, outings, etc. Scheduling in free time makes that time special, rather than your kids having "free time" for most of the day.
Are Your Kids Bored?
"I'm bored mom!" Have you heard that one? Create a job jar. Have your kids pull out things to do to prevent getting bored -- include anything from chores to bigger activities like writing a list of things they need for school, tidying up their closet (they will do it, if they write down the clothing items they might need for the upcoming school-year while they are doing it). It's always fun for kids to open up that piece of paper and see what they "have" to do.
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Change it Up
Do you want your kids to read more, play outside more, rediscover their home-town and be fulfilled during the summer months? Plan it. Take the lead and create a calendar with things that are upcoming, so they can look forward to the week and know what is expected of them. Make it fun -- for example, let them pick their own book from the library or bookstore rather than making them do required reading.
Article Published by ModernMom.com
