School is out for summer break now, here in Canada.  This means, all school aged kids have 9 weeks of ‘freedom’ from the classroom. I used the term ‘surviving’ in the title because for some, summer feels like something parents need to get through.  

The change in routine alone can be hard for some families. Add to that the extra cost associated with summer break, and it can prove to be a stressful time for some. Or how about the increased sibling fighting? That’s the dream I am currently living. I also hold a full-time job, 5 days per week. Four of these days I work from home, one on site. My kids being out of school means they are also in my working space. They often need reminding that me being home doesn’t always mean I’m available. That in itself is a challenge. They need to be respectful of my workspace, quiet and not fight (loud enough for me to hear). HA! Plus, the summer days may be longer, but with my kid’s bedtimes surpassing my own, this also means my parenting window is longer.

Let’s not forget the never-ending eating over the summer. I am not trying to be negative, as I do love summer, but frankly, summer can be overwhelming.  So, in many ways, parents are in survival mode until September. Not every minute is going to feel sunny and exciting and that’s ok!

Here are some tips on how to survive summer break with (school aged) kids:

Make a schedule

I have OCD and thrive off of routine and structure every day of the year. But, during the summer, it is helpful for everyone to create a schedule. Write down, and even mark off, a daily to do list. This will allow for some control of the day. Some ideas include: Make bed, eat breakfast, get dressed, do chores, screen time, outside, lunch, outside, read/game time, supper, screen time, rest time, bed.  You can figure it out together. Tip: Have the kids weigh in on the schedule as this gives them a sense of control over the situation. As a result,, they may be less resistant to it.  Also, you don’t have to stick to it every single day; it will vary. But also remember that your day may not look like Sally down the street’s schedule. Don’t worry about that. Do what works for you and your family.

Summer camp

Explore opportunities for summer camps in your community. Only send your child for however many days/weeks works for your family, financially or otherwise.  This allows the child to socialize with kids their age, burn energy and get out of the house. I appreciate that it can be costly and isn’t always an option. It can also cause issues for working parents as drop off and pick up times don’t always coincide with the regular 9-5 work day. It’s not without its stressors, but if at all possible, sign those kids up for camp.

Physical activities

Summer is a great time to participate in team sports. Again, this can be costly so is not an option for everyone. If not, encourage your child to play sports with friends! Or go outside with them yourself and throw the ball, play basketball or even go swimming. They may not have a gym class over the summer, but they need to stay active.

Reach out to family/friends

If you have a reliable friend or relative willing to spend time with your child this summer, let them! It’s good for the child and the parent alike. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Playdate swaps

Make plans for playdates with your child’s friends. Arrange it so that one day is at your house, and the other could be at theirs. The kids benefit, but it also helps both parents out as well. Call Sally!

Boredom jar

I had my kids write down a few activity suggestions for rainy days and put them in a jar. Then, when needed, we will pick one from that jar and do that activity.  More than likely, they will fight over who gets to pick from the jar. I will then let each child pick one activity from the jar, which keeps them busy longer.

Force them outside

If the sun is out, send the kids outside. Don’t buy into the ‘there is nothing to do’! I remind my kids that they have bikes, scooters, soccer balls, chaulk, and a basketball net to play with. Or how about grass to mow, a car to wash, or a dog to walk? All possibilities to beat boredom. They can be creative; they just need to be creative outside.

Limit screen time

In September, when your child’s teacher asks what the highlight of their summer was, you don’t want your child to say ‘I beat the hardest level in Fortnite’. Not to undermine an accomplishment, but you don’t want screen time to be the highlight of their summer. You want screen time to be limited, which looks different for every family. And while this is a constant struggle in my house, like many others, some days are better than others. Set up a schedule, make rules, set ‘times up’ alarms on their screens. Whatever it takes to prevent your kids from spending all day and night on a screen. As much as mine would love to, I try my hardest to limit screen time.

Day trips

There are many summers where we don’t take a vacation. Instead, we do day trips around our city, or province. Drive 2 hours to a new beach! Go for ice cream and a walk in a different community. Take a hike then have a barbecue, or better yet go for a picnic on the hiking trail. It doesn’t have to be extravagant to be fun. Just spend time together and create core memories. It’ll be worth it.

Happy Summer!