Five Strategies to Ruin Your Kids’ Summer

Let Electronics Rule

Household peace only comes through the digital babysitter, right? Turn on PBS Kids at 6:30 a.m., or even earlier—especially earlier—if your toddlers’ body  clocks don’t adjust to summer-standard-time. Let those cartoons mesmerize their eyes until lunchtime. After their naps, give them the iPad while you start dinner. Netflix until bedtime. Sounds extreme, I know, but you’d be amazed at how quiet they stay that way. Don’t mind their health or bad attitude. Those will improve when they go back to school. (Right?)

But those teens . . .  When they finally stumble out of bed, their first question relates either to food or electronics: What’s for lunch? or Can I have time on the computer/XBox/Nintendo? If limiting their screentime matters to you, best plan ahead how you’ll manage that. Every summer I’ve tried something different to help regulate their electronic time. They always have to earn time. This one worked fairly well last year.

Stay Inside

It’s hot out there, I get it. And in Texas, where I live, some summers we root for the weatherman’s daily report: will we beat the 100-degree-days-in-a-row record? Did I mention it’s usually really hot during the summer? The kids really ought to stay inside 90% of the time. Unless they are in the pool for a few minutes in the morning before it gets too hot.

Hmmm. That’s one way to ruin your summer. Sure, the Hispanic culture is on to a winning strategy with the siesta—who doesn’t love a midday nap? Sleep through the hottest part of the day, do something indoors when the temps truly get outrageous. But keep kids indoors for too long at your peril. They need to run and play and get all the energy out. Either install/dig a pool, make friends with those who have one, or move to a neighborhood with a community pool. Little kids can make do with a plastic pool in the yard, or the hose and sprinkler. If water isn’t your thing, consider waking everyone up early while the temps are cooler and go for a family bike ride or walk. Take them to the park for time on the equipment. Do yard work with the bigger kids in the cool of the morning (then reward them appropriately). Connect their favorite indoor activity (screentime, anyone?) with outdoor exercise. If this, then that…

Starve Their Brains

We do this already with expanded electronic use. Be sure to hide all the books and forget how to find the library. No Bible reading allowed except on Sunday at church. No special classes to teach or entertain. Summer is all about fluff and wasting time.

Or, you could add weekly visits to the local library into your regular routine. Perhaps reading a certain amount of time PER DAY could act as an incentive for other perks. What about a one-week painting class? We’ve tried all of these plus others over the years. Favorite activities that stimulate their creativity and learning while not in school include:

Drawing classes (3x/week, 2hrs each)

Summer reading programs from local library and Half Price Books (prizes include $$ to buy more books)

Online Bible classes: we’ve used homeschooling programs among other things.

Individual art lessons: our oldest son learned sand art from a local artist (friend) in seven one-on-one lessons.

Host a book club: Your kids, not you! Just provide the cookies and send out the free Evite invitations.