Summer...
it can be the best of times or it can be the worst of times.
In the best of times, summer is fun, safe, exciting at times, relaxing at other times, and enjoyable for everyone in the family.
And while a few families do seem to balance it all effortlessly, most families need to put a lot of time and thought into creating what will be the "perfect summer" for their son.
Boys need the same daily activities during the summer that they need during the school year, it's just that the amount of time in each type of activity will vary in the summertime.
1.
Play time.
Play time is the essential defining activity of summer.
Recreational camps, swimming, biking, camping are all great play time activities.
What is essential is that boys have outside, unstructured play time.
It's important to have time to goof off, make up games, explore the neighborhood or the next neighborhood, and experience both independence and freedom.
Determining how much freedom is what concerns most parents-when is my child ready to ride around the block? Cross a busy street? Come home after dark? The best way to make those determinations is to see how well your child handles the current level of responsibility.
If he always turns around and comes back from the corner, try letting him go around the block.
The most important thing to remember is that boys need outside, unstructured play time.
2.
Work time.
Work time can be defined many ways for boys.
If they are young, it may be simple chores around the house.
Even during the toddler and preschool years, boys need to build a sense of responsibility and competence.
Taking their dishes to the sink, putting dirty clothes in the hamper, carrying in light bags of groceries all help young ones to develop a sense of purpose.
For grade school or middle school boys, work with them to choose a chore list for the summer.
Teach them some new responsibilities-that might be cooking or laundry or mowing the lawn.
Overall, what is important here is the structure and sense of purpose that work builds.
3.
Family time.
All boys, regardless of their age need time with the family.
And one-on-one time with both parents is also valuable.
As they get older and want to spend more time with friends, make a point of establishing some part of the weekend as family time.
Ask them what they would like to do together.
Resign yourself to watching some movies that might not be your first choice! 4.
Friend time.
Everyone needs at least one friend and summer can be a time to hang out with old friends or try to build new ones.
If your child has a well-established circle of friends, just make sure they are spending some time at your home, where you can stay connected with their activities.
It's important to get to know your son's friends and why they connect.
5.
Time alone.
You may have one of those boys who loves to spend time alone-he lives for his gaming devices! Or you may have a highly social son who lives for the next sports practice or pool party.
Whichever is his personality, time alone is good for all of us.
Make reading a good option for alone time by ensuring he has a comfortable place to sit and be undisturbed.
For older boys, working out can be good alone time.
These five activities are good for boys all year long, but summer often means more play and less work.
Sometimes kids want to check out and just game all summer, but they will miss out on important social development.
Ensure your son has a good balance of all five activities and he will have a great summer!
it can be the best of times or it can be the worst of times.
In the best of times, summer is fun, safe, exciting at times, relaxing at other times, and enjoyable for everyone in the family.
And while a few families do seem to balance it all effortlessly, most families need to put a lot of time and thought into creating what will be the "perfect summer" for their son.
Boys need the same daily activities during the summer that they need during the school year, it's just that the amount of time in each type of activity will vary in the summertime.
1.
Play time.
Play time is the essential defining activity of summer.
Recreational camps, swimming, biking, camping are all great play time activities.
What is essential is that boys have outside, unstructured play time.
It's important to have time to goof off, make up games, explore the neighborhood or the next neighborhood, and experience both independence and freedom.
Determining how much freedom is what concerns most parents-when is my child ready to ride around the block? Cross a busy street? Come home after dark? The best way to make those determinations is to see how well your child handles the current level of responsibility.
If he always turns around and comes back from the corner, try letting him go around the block.
The most important thing to remember is that boys need outside, unstructured play time.
2.
Work time.
Work time can be defined many ways for boys.
If they are young, it may be simple chores around the house.
Even during the toddler and preschool years, boys need to build a sense of responsibility and competence.
Taking their dishes to the sink, putting dirty clothes in the hamper, carrying in light bags of groceries all help young ones to develop a sense of purpose.
For grade school or middle school boys, work with them to choose a chore list for the summer.
Teach them some new responsibilities-that might be cooking or laundry or mowing the lawn.
Overall, what is important here is the structure and sense of purpose that work builds.
3.
Family time.
All boys, regardless of their age need time with the family.
And one-on-one time with both parents is also valuable.
As they get older and want to spend more time with friends, make a point of establishing some part of the weekend as family time.
Ask them what they would like to do together.
Resign yourself to watching some movies that might not be your first choice! 4.
Friend time.
Everyone needs at least one friend and summer can be a time to hang out with old friends or try to build new ones.
If your child has a well-established circle of friends, just make sure they are spending some time at your home, where you can stay connected with their activities.
It's important to get to know your son's friends and why they connect.
5.
Time alone.
You may have one of those boys who loves to spend time alone-he lives for his gaming devices! Or you may have a highly social son who lives for the next sports practice or pool party.
Whichever is his personality, time alone is good for all of us.
Make reading a good option for alone time by ensuring he has a comfortable place to sit and be undisturbed.
For older boys, working out can be good alone time.
These five activities are good for boys all year long, but summer often means more play and less work.
Sometimes kids want to check out and just game all summer, but they will miss out on important social development.
Ensure your son has a good balance of all five activities and he will have a great summer!
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