Be patient and know that it takes time to build a new routine, even if it’s just for summer. And kids, just like most people, struggle with any change of routine. Allow some time to adjustĪs they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. If kids go to bed later, but still wake up earlier, this makes a recipe for an overtired kid! If you end up pushing back bedtime, make sure he or she is sleeping in longer in the morning to compensate for any loss. If that isn’t a concern, go to bed later, but be careful to ensure that kids get enough sleep overall. Most kids don’t want to go to sleep at their usual bedtimes when it’s still light outside! And who can blame them? Why go to sleep when there’s daylight to ride bikes or go to the playground? Summer days are longer, and the sun is shining well into the evening hours until the fall. If your child isn’t feeling sleepy at 8 PM, there’s no reason to force it unless he needs to be up early for summer camp or daycare. Go to bed later without sacrificing precious sleep Whatever changes you make, remember that if it seems natural to you and your family, the schedule you end up making will likely be followed as opposed to a random and unrealistic plan that doesn’t account for your child’s natural habits already in place. Maybe bedtime was pushed back until 9 instead of 8? Is dinner time later, too? Perhaps your child is sleeping in longer than she was on school days. Step back and observe the changes you are automatically making for your kids. Considering this, take that time to step back and see what feels natural for your child. Once school lets out, keep in mind that it will take a week or two to determine the best modifications to your family’s routine. Whether working or staying at home, follow these tips to begin creating your child’s individualized summer plan: Go with the flow However, it is totally possible to create a routine that fits perfectly in the scope of your family’s unique schedule. The first rule is to remember that as a parent, it is not your job to entertain your children every minute of the day! Sometimes boredom is inevitable and can even help your child to self-regulate emotions or entertain himself. Make your child’s daily independent learning time count this summer! Review math, science, ELA, and more with Kids Academy Summer Camp! Sign up with a 50% discount on all our plans. All that said, this frustration can easily be avoided by planning a summer daily schedule that is routine and predictable but can still save space for having fun! And any parent bombarded with constant cries of “I’m bored!” will soon grow tired of the season. More often than not, kids want to do these things at the most inopportune times, or when it simply isn’t feasible. What parent hasn’t heard these requests over and over again during the summer: " Can we go swimming today?", " I want ice cream!", " Let’s go to the zoo!", " I want to play outside!" Babies aren’t born with stellar organizational skills, and as children progress through childhood, they tend to want to do anything that comes to their minds as it happens. When it comes to kids, our little ones need to learn the benefits of time management. That’s because everybody needs to organize their time or else nothing would get done! While spontaneity can be great fun, there are often even greater rewards to planning time, whether it’s for an upcoming vacation, or simply running errands. Even if you stay or work at home, you still probably have a plan to follow each day. If you have a career outside the home, it’s more than likely that you have a set plan or routine that drives your productivity in the workplace. Long summer days can feel even longer for families because kids have a lot of excitement and energy to burn!Ĭhildren get bored and parents grow irritated as the season wears on, which is understandably frustrating for all involved! So, what can a parent do to survive the dog days of summer while making it a memorable one for the kids? The answer is simple: dust off the planner and make a schedule! Why Make a Summer Schedule for Kids? School is almost out and the kids are home, and it won’t be long before parents everywhere yearn for the back-to-school activities that herald the annual return to the classroom.
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