Summer Activities for Kids: How Much is Too Much?

By Rebecca

As a working mother of two kids, one of whom is school age (he's going into second grade this fall, which makes me want to weep because WHERE IS MY BABY), planning out our summer activities is one of the most stressful things I do. Since I am at work until the afternoon, both kids are enrolled in back-to-back weeks of camp. There's soccer camp, and ocean camp, and golf camp, and camp camp camp all the livelong day. I know they have fun and stay busy, but I really stress out about having them so overscheduled. I read Swistle's post about summer regimens and it really got me thinking.

I remember as a kid, having whole afternoons to run through the sprinklers in our bathing suits, and getting the privilege of helping my dad wash his car. (Yes, we were brainwashed to think this was a plus. Point: my parents!). We swam in the neighbors' pool, spent lazy afternoons at the beach and just generally had a fine time. Now, my mom was a piano teacher who worked at home, and my dad had his own business at the house, so they were always around and available. I don't have this to offer my kids, so here's what I'll be doing.

I usually pick them up from camp in the late afternoon. Then, once we get home, I have them go to their rooms to play or read for a little while, to encourage some quiet downtime after the camp hustle and bustle.  Then I send them outside to play or walk them to the park. If it's particularly hot, we might go get frozen yogurt or go to our community pool. If I hear "I'm bored," well, that's when the chores will get doled out. Yeah, that's right kids, saying you're bored will NOT WORK IN YOUR FAVOR.

Now, I'm also enforcing my son to do a little bit of work. He has to read part of a chapter book each day, and I'm going to have him keep a weekly journal so he works on his penmanship. This is somewhat of a summer regimen, I guess. I'm really interested to hear how other families handle their summers.

If you've got school age kids, how do you manage summer activities?

 

 

Comments

[Green]

Honestly, this is a regional thing. I am from NY, and until the summer before 10th grade didn't even KNOW there were kids who didn't go to camp each summer. School ends at the end of June, and you're off until Labor Day. Camp was eight weeks long. Period. You either went to day camp, travel camp, or sleepaway. Those were the only options. You wash cars, play in sprinklers and go to the beach either after you get home from camp or on the weekends. I had plenty of time to make up games with my brother, write stories, practice basketball in the yard, read books, practice baton twirling in the driveway, ride my bike, etc. Now I live in SF, and most camps here are like 1 or 2 weeks long.

I was a high-energy kid, and one of those kids who had 11 after-school activities and was totally happy doing all of them (and yes there was time for homework, dinner, watching tv, all that). But there are other kids who only do one activity one day a week and that's almost too much for them. There's no one answer that's right for everyone. Do what you see working best for your kid and family (and budget).

[kayla]

As a fellow working mother, I share your pain in trying to find activities for the kids during the summer months. One activity I like to do with my children is paint rocks. It’s a cheap craft, and you will be surprised with the pieces of art your kids are capable of making! I am constantly getting compliments on the rock art that I have prominently displayed in my office at Dish. Another fun activity is making a pillow fort and having a movie night. Since we have the Blockbuster@Home service through our Dish account, it is easy to pick a movie and stream it instantly. It’s hassle-free and lots of fun. If you try any of these ideas, be sure to let me know what you think!