Summer Months: Keep Kids Busy or allow them to relax?

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It’s summer time!! I know that kids get extremely excited to be out of school for the summer. It’s finally time to relax and NO homework or tests. They’re finally FREE!!!  That last day of school before summer vacation is a day they have been finally waiting for. No more having to listen to teachers telling them to pay attention, look towards the front of the class, sit still, stop all the chattering, or being picked on to answer a question when they feel unprepared. They are in the best mood ever on that day and you all go out and celebrate the end of another successful school year.

Now that you have your kids for 2 ½ months, what are you planning to do with them? I remember when my kids were younger, I would have mixed feelings about summer vacation. On one hand, it was great not having to wake up early in the morning, make them breakfast, and pack their lunch. However, on the other hand, I knew that it became my job to keep them entertained. How was I going to fill up 10 weeks and make sure to keep them happy and at the same time, keep my sanity. In the first few weeks, I took my kids to the community pool and beach. That idea worked for a while, but soon we all became burned out from the sun and water.

We still had many weeks ahead of us to fill up before school started up again. What was I going to do? Well, I admit that there were many days that I couldn’t come up with anything and they were bored sitting at home. All I heard some days was, “Mom, we’re bored?” Does that sound relaxing to anyone? Hence, I have listed several ideas to fill those days that they are driving you over the edge…

• Take them to the park and blow bubbles and have water balloon fights
• Invite their friends for play dates
• Take them to the library to check out some of their favorite book series
• Hiking – many trails in Orange County
• Go fossil hunting at a nearby lake
• Visit a fire or police station
• Bake sugar cookies and frost them
• Set up a tent in the backyard
• Explore your city using public transportation – new experience for the kids

​If you feel that your kids are getting burned out from the activities you have scheduled, change your course and let them relax. It’s imperative to provide a balance for your kids during their time off from school and allow some unstructured time to play and encourage creativity. According to educators, they believe that downtime helps kids’ minds relax and function better when school is back in session.
Remember, if you get frustrated with your children during these summer months, the best way they can express their thoughts and feelings is through their play. Research studies indicate that children use play as their language and toys as their words. 

Written by Susie Ibrahim, M.A., Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Susie currently sees clients in Orange, CA
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Turning Point Counseling
1370 N. Brea Blvd., Ste. 245 ~ Fullerton ~ CA ~ 92835
800-998-6329 ~TurningPointCounseling.org