I get annoyed with all those glorious commercials that show families having great fun in the summertime. Why? Because, once again, that's not reality for most of us.
If you work, the kids have to have supervision or be engaged in something. So, what are you going to do this year?
You can't travel the whole summer long. After all, summer break is about 8 weeks long.
Summer break is a "hold over" from when our culture was primarily agricultural. Farmers' families had to pitch in to help. Many kids were absent from school, so the "break" was formalized. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
If you work, the kids have to have supervision or be engaged in something. So, what are you going to do this year?
You can't travel the whole summer long. After all, summer break is about 8 weeks long.
Summer break is a "hold over" from when our culture was primarily agricultural. Farmers' families had to pitch in to help. Many kids were absent from school, so the "break" was formalized. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Image by Matan Ray Vizel from Pixabay
It's super easy to find programs for your typically developing child, but what's available for you if your child has ADHD or is on the autistic spectrum? Hey, what about the gifted kids? They're frequently overlooked as a population with special needs.
Autism Speaks has a great website where you can find summer resources for your child/teen.
Use the search bar to locate summer programs. There's also an option to key in your location so the search can be more specific.
If you're not in a rural area, your community likely has pediatric (child) occupational therapy clinics/centers where treatment for sensory and motor disorders are diagnosed and treated. Contact them to see if they are having opportunities for the summer.
These programs are often a two-fer as community service hours are given for high schoolers who need community service to enhance their college applications.
Use the search bar to locate summer programs. There's also an option to key in your location so the search can be more specific.
If you're not in a rural area, your community likely has pediatric (child) occupational therapy clinics/centers where treatment for sensory and motor disorders are diagnosed and treated. Contact them to see if they are having opportunities for the summer.
These programs are often a two-fer as community service hours are given for high schoolers who need community service to enhance their college applications.
If your child or teen has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, contact CHADD (Children with ADD) through their website. Using the search bar, key in "summer programs" to learn more about camps and activities that might be right for your kiddo.
Image by katermikesch from Pixabay
The National Association for Gifted Children is just a great way to learn about parenting and educating children with exceptional talents...of all kinds.
If you're looking for a summer program for your gifted/talented child, search for your state's gifted child program. I've found that the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth has fantastic programs for this amazing population of kids. They have online programs and "live" summer events.
If you're looking for a summer program for your gifted/talented child, search for your state's gifted child program. I've found that the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth has fantastic programs for this amazing population of kids. They have online programs and "live" summer events.
Image by Andreas Schau from Pixabay
A week's trip to the Maldives not in the budget? Maybe this is the summer your kid learns to play an instrument or takes dance lessons with a friend.
Maybe they go to a local parks and rec program or to activities sponsored by your church.
Make no mistake about it, unless there's a set of vivacious grandparents around, putting together a schedule for your kids to have healthy supervision and fun activities is enough to make you want to pull your hair out. Except for the homework part, summer is a lot tougher on parents than the school year.
Take heart! They do grow up!
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Don't miss a thing! Sign up for the Sunday newsletter.
Maybe they go to a local parks and rec program or to activities sponsored by your church.
Make no mistake about it, unless there's a set of vivacious grandparents around, putting together a schedule for your kids to have healthy supervision and fun activities is enough to make you want to pull your hair out. Except for the homework part, summer is a lot tougher on parents than the school year.
Take heart! They do grow up!
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Don't miss a thing! Sign up for the Sunday newsletter.
