Planning Ahead for Summer

Planning ahead for a successful summer is important for the mental health of the child and parent alike.  Many parents wait until the very last minute to schedule activities for their child creating problems with scheduling and camps filling up quickly.  Another common pitfall is either allowing the child free reign about their summer activities or, on the other hand, the parent micromanaging the activities of their child’s summer.  Parents need to both ask themselves what they believe is in the best interest of their child over the summer as well as consulting with their child to determine their understood needs as well.

Ideally, summertime should be a balance between scheduled activities and play for the child.  Time should be scheduled for activities such as camps, academic remediation if necessary, and plenty of time for rest and play with friends.  Summer is also a time to try new skills that often cannot be attempted during the school year because of too many time constraints (i.e. taking up a musical instrument).  Finally, summer is also an important time for families to spend time together on vacation or merely enjoying each other’s company.

Referencing activities, the attentive parent should be the one to introduce the concept of a balanced summer to their child and then discuss options with them allowing the child some choice in the type of scheduled activities they will participate within.  (i.e. the type of camp they may attend; a type of sport to learn).  Children and adolescents are not capable of doing this alone.  Once determined, it is important to find programs which are organized, have a low staff to camper ratio, have good reputations, and are importantly, fun.

Balancing fun camps and activities with some academic or artistic activity helps keeps the child’s mind in learning shape and often makes the transition back to school in the Fall an easier transition.  Research shows that a scheduled and balanced summer also leads to higher self-esteem, greater productivity, less anxiety and opposition, and more harmony around the house.  Parents following these recommendations are less anxious as well.

Key Points:

1. Parents:  Introduce the concept of a balanced summer
2. Plan out activities in advance and put on a schedule
3. Give some choice in picking the type of activities to do
4. Find programs with good reputations and low staff/camper ratios
5. Plan academic remediation if necessary
6. Don’t forget about family time