Do you feel like your kids just want to watch TV and eat junk food all day during the summer? Here are some tips for how you can create a summer routine that works for each of you:
1. Schedule Your Kids' Snacks
Of course meals are eaten around a basic schedule, but what about snacks? Personally, I feel like a short-order cook when my kids ask me for snack after snack throughout the day. One way around that issue is to establish two different "Snack Times" in your home. At our house, snacks are served at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. This way, I don't find myself going back into the kitchen six to seven times (before lunch!) to fill another request. My kids know, too, that they can have apples or carrots any time of the day - and they can get them themselves! This is something that you can do whether your kids spend their days with you or another caregiver. After lunch is a great time to schedule a regular, daily, reading siesta. If your kids are young, read a story out loud to them at this time. Older children can use this time to read on their own. If you can, try to model the importance of reading by picking up a book for yourself at the same time.
If your kids received home learning packets from their school, or if you've picked out a particular workbook you'd like them to complete, set a regular block of time aside each day when they can work toward completing this project. In addition, plan to explore various topics your kids have shown an interest in. Summer is a great time to tap into their natural curiosity!
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ages two and older watch no more than two hours of total screen time per day. In order to meet those guidelines, most families have to make a concentrated effort to turn off the TV and limit computer and video games. Talk with your kids about the amount of time that you think is reasonable, and be firm about maintaining those limits.
Sit down with your kids and make a list of all the places you'd like to go this summer and the things you'd like to do. Then make an effort to systematically go through the list, choosing one or two activities per week. In addition, consider signing up for our
Ten Weeks of Fun Summer Activities E-course to receive a new idea in your E-mail each week, along with corresponding children's books, crafts, and recipes.
