Summer's Coming: What Are You Going To Do With Your Kids?4944379

The weather is warming up quickly. Summer camp registration is well underway. Before you know it, the pool will be open and it will be time for the beach, picnics and barbeques. It will not be long before your kids come home from school shouting, "School's out for summer!!"

Do those words bring you a feeling of excitement and happy anticipation as thoughts of summer stretch out before you? Or do they bring you a feeling of dread?

For many of us, knowing that we'll have to help our young children and teens occupy the long days of summer can be daunting. It can be a source of worry, stress and tension. For the next two months, you will be expected to play the role of events coordinator to your children - who seem to feel entitled to fabulous vacations, extravagant daytrips, specialty camps, and movies - all arranged for and paid for by you! Maybe you have a teen who needs to get a summer job and is dragging his/her feet. Perhaps you dread the expected and all-too-common refrains of, "I am bored. There is nothing to do. I don't want to go outside." Then again, maybe it is the inevitable bickering between siblings who are together all day that makes you cringe.

In addition to these unpleasant prospects, you had like it if your children's brains did not turn to mush over the 10 weeks of summer vacation. How do you get them to read or practice some type of academics? On top of that, you still have your own responsibilities. How are you going to get your own work done?! Is it possible for you to enjoy the summer with the kids home from school?

You CAN enjoy the summer with your kids. It does take a healthy dose of planning and patience. Try some of these ideas:

Invite your kids to try a hobby or sport that you enjoy, like golf or cycling. Pick something that you can do together. That way you'll be having fun alongside your kids.

Make time for yourself to get things done AND to relax and recharge. Schedule dinner or drinks with friends, or perhaps a weekend away, to ensure you have time for both work and play.

Structure your days at home with the kids. Set a routine so that you spend mornings reading together on the couch, make time to go to the pool after lunch every day, or take a regular evening walk after dinner. The school year/day is highly structured and that works well for kids. Make sure you implement some structure into your summer too. hat way the kids will know what to expect and will relax into the routine.

Hire help. Take advantage of neighborhood teens who are looking for extra income and have more time over the summer. You can hire them at a moderate cost to provide temporary or long term childcare or household assist.

Involve your kids in planning bigger journeys. Investigation vacations, evening journeys or actions which are in your budget and then have each daughter or son pick one or more of the favorites and use it the diary. Comprehending that some larger fun is in the pipeline will help children cope with the times at home.

Check always neighborhood assets. Many towns offer enjoyable alternatives that may be engaging and affordable when cash is just a issue. Have you got a community pool? Does the adventure office present summer camp in NJ? Possibly your catalogue has free applications for kids. What about the neighborhood churches? You can improve your child's spiritual training by enlisting them in one single or even more vacation bible colleges.

Swap with other parents. Put up a normal timetable or arrangement where each parent requires a change observing all of the kids so the additional parent( s) may have time to themselves.Your kids may have integral interpersonal time with playmates and you'll have time to concentrate on your own jobs - or simply relax!