Plans for the Summer School Break

CEBU, Philippines — Summer seldom comes late in a tropical country like the Philippines. And the whole block of sunny days can mean a lot of things for the family. The kids are off from school and working parents would skip work now and then to be at home with the kids.

But while summer can be a great family bonding time, it can also be a stressful time for parents, especially for mothers who are often the ones to look after the kids at home. Working moms do a balancing act between office tasks and the concerns back home. When siblings gather, it’s not always laughter that rings in their midst – sibling rivalry can emerge, too.

Siblings argue or quarrel over just about anything. Who does the dishes? Who decides which show to watch on TV? Who sweeps the lawn? There’s no end to issues to contest about.

But with advance planning, summer break with the kids at home does not have to be anxiety-filled. Stephanie Marcy, PhD, writing at www.laparent.com, shares a few tips that families may follow – parents in particular – to help make the summer season productive and enjoyable:

Stimulation: Fuel kids’ curiosity by going on adventures such as visiting a farm, touring a museum or exploring tide pools at the beach. Many schools, from elementary to high school, provide suggested reading lists for students. Visit a local library and have your kids choose three books to read over the summer break. Consider having them embark on a new adventure like enrolling in a kids’ cooking class or volunteering at a local nonprofit organization one day a week. Day camps and sleep-away camps offer variety of physical and creative activities that keep kids busy and reinforce time-management skills.

Schedule: One of the worst things that parents can do is allow their kids to make up their day as they go along. It is imperative that kids continue to have structure during the summer break. Parents can make visual charts or calendars with their kids and plan out the week, including downtime days with no agenda. Plugging in play dates, family events and trips will help parents and kids feel secure in knowing what to expect and thereby avoid boredom and complaining.

Sleep: Not having to head out the door first thing in the morning generally makes kids think they can stay up later at night and sleep in as late as they want. Sporadic late nights are all right, but it is imperative to adhere as much as possible to the sleep/wake routine that kids had during the school year. If the routine is abandoned, it will be much more difficult for everyone to get back on schedule when school resumes.

Socialization: It’s important that kids continue to build healthy relationships over the summer by having regular play dates.  Working parents may help each other out by trading off social activities with kids. Build in family play dates and activities such as a beach outing or a backyard barbecue where parents can spend time together while the kids play.

Screen Stoppage: Today’s kids are part of the plugged-in generation. Activities such as texting, video gaming, watching television and social media can occupy their time for hours. It’s important to make sure kids unplug, literally, and enjoy the longer daylight hours and warm weather that summer brings by going outdoors. Limit screen time (including mobile phones, tablets, computers and TV) to no more than two hours each day and encourage kids to go swimming, go on a bicycle ride or go on a hike.

Self-Sufficiency: Encourage kids to become more independent, and thus feel more in control as they learn skills during their time off.  Make goals for them to master certain tasks – such as tying their shoes, riding a bike or making breakfast – by the end of summer. Parents can also set goals and ask the kids to partner with them for things such as cleaning out the garage or planting a flower garden.