Your children are most likely thrilled about living up the summer months basking in the sun and simply relaxing. But usually half way through the summer, some kids become restless or bored, not knowing how to fill up the whole day. Or they may be on their phone all day, every day, and it may be time for some fun in the sun. How do you break that habit and get them motivated in the summer time?
All About Perspective
For most kids, the concept of time is really hard to follow. Even for adults it can be hard keeping track of time! So the prospect on that last day of school of having almost three whole months off sounds like a huge chunk of time. But they may not realize how busy or slow they can make that time on their own. Every child deserves a break after the school year, and having some time each month to recharge or do something fun is always encouraged. But if your child is simply following you around the house, saying they are bored, you may have a problem.
Encouraging that Motivation
Your children may already be realizing that they have more time to do activities this summer than they realized, and now want to participate in whatever they can. Be sure to talk to them about what interests them the most and try to prioritize that if it can be squeezed into your schedule. See if there are any activities that can be done at home or self-paced, so your child can keep track of their own progress and do not require additional schedule shifting. A lot of libraries offer summer programs, such as reading challenges and arts and crafts activities. If your child loves to read, all you have to do is stop at the library for a few quick stock-ups on books, and then let your child loose to read whenever they feel like it.
Finding that Motivation
If your children are spending all their time on their phones, you may have to enact a phone free zone or set time limits. Some parents find this helpful during the school year as well, and it may become useful during the summer months too. You can either designate certain time slots for phone time or computer time, and even limit which rooms they can use their phone to ensure they are spending time with the family and participating in the dialogues around them. Some kids may roll their eyes at first but it is good for them in the long run to get out and stretch while they still have the free time!
Katie Kyzivat