Many working parents worry about how to make their child’s summer vacation a meaningful experience. It’s tough for any parent, but especially tough for those who work and won’t be home every day to help orchestrate activities that will keep them busy and productive, while also being a bit educational. It takes some serious planning in advance.
Here are some things to consider:
Develop a reading program – Sit down with your kids early in the summer and help them identify some books to read over their vacation. Of course, goals for each child will depend on ages and reading levels. Be sure to help them select a mix of books that reflect education, adventure and fun, then head to your nearest library to check them out. Helping your kids develop a love of reading early on and learning how to use the library will be a true blessing to them for the rest of their lives.
Explore your family’s history – As you’ve read in the feature article, there are all kinds of fun ways to learn about your family. Your kids can take charge of capturing all the great family stories over the summer at reunions and family visits. Also encourage your kids to begin documenting their immediate family history through photo journals and video stories to assist generations to come.
Learn the value of money – The summer months can be a marvelous time to help your kids begin to understand the value of a dollar. Giving them a set amount they can spend each week – and helping them understand what is acceptable for them to spend it on – will be the beginning of a solid financial education. For terrific examples of financial learning activities to do with your kids, you can refer to Yes You Can…Raise Financially Aware Kids.
Take charge of some chores – Summer is a great time to teach your kids responsibility! Sit down with them in advance and outline what you expect of them over the course of the summer. Whether it’s mowing the yard each week or making certain all the dishes are put away each day, a clearly posted list of daily and weekly chores will be a real plus in making sure they happen.
Inspire a volunteer spirit – Children find a real sense of fulfillment in helping others. Opportunities for volunteerism are endless and can range from something as simple as providing assistance to an older neighbor with daily chores, to aiding a large organization.
There are all kinds of organizations looking for volunteers. Your local Meals on Wheels group would be ecstatic to have your child go along to visit with the elderly. There are also opportunities at nursing homes and retirement homes, or through community support groups that perform tasks like fixing up homes in the inner city. Check out your community’s newspaper or search the Web for more opportunities in your area.
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