For kids, few things are as exciting as the final school bell ring that kicks off summer vacation. For working parents, however, this time of year can seem a little less freeing. You want to make sure your children can have fun and enjoy their break, but you also want to keep them safe and properly supervised.
Trying to juggle between your kids' free time and your work schedule can feel at little overwhelming at times during the summer, but it doesn't always need to be! Read on for tips to keep your kids excited and engaged this summer, without having to sacrifice your work time.
Splitting Your Time in the Summer
During the school year, it may feel easier to work all day long, knowing that your kids are in class anyway. But when they're out for the summer, you may feel a little more stress about being gone all day.
Your job outside the home may be incredibly important to your family, however, and not just for the security your income provides - according to a study from Harvard Business School, girls who have working mothers are more likely to have high-paying jobs and to take on more supervisory roles. Boys raised with moms who work are more likely to contribute to the running of their households as they get older, and are more involved with their families.
"Try to work flex hours during the summer."
Still, the merits of working may be harder to appreciate when you're stuck at the office and your kids are outdoors enjoying the sunshine. If your office allows it, you can try to work flex hours during the summer so you can start and end your day earlier than usual, or perhaps take longer lunch breaks so that you can go home for a bit during the day. You could also try working from home a few days a week if your company provides telecommuting options, but it's important to stay on task and actually keep working during the day, despite any distractions at home. If you can manage it, however, you may feel better sitting in your home office knowing your kiddos are just a few metres away, rather than across town.
CBC News suggests you try to find scheduling solutions that you can arrange with other working parents in your company. Perhaps you take turns having more favourable shifts. Whatever you work out, just be sure your employer is on board with the arrangements.
You may also benefit from using vacation days this time of year. Whether you take them all at once and plan for a long getaway with the whole family, or take one day a week so you always have a long weekend, planning some time completely off the clock and with your family can help you get more out of your summer. Besides being fun, travel has also proven to help kids learn better by exposing them to new experiences.
Stop by a park after you pick your kids up from summer daycare to spend some fun time together.
Activities for Kids
If you have young children, you're likely relying on a trusted babysitter, relative or daycare to ensure your kids are supervised during the day. Ask your care provider what kind of activities they plan to do each day so you stay aware of what your kids are working on. It will make it easier to ask them about their days and engage in conversations, so you don't have to feel like you're missing out on anything.
If you have friends or family members who also have young kids, consider taking turns watching all the little ones together on days off. You can save childcare costs with this trading system, and your kids can work on valuable social skills by playing with their friends during the day.
For kids that are a little older, consider hiring a tutor or enrolling in a free community program at your local library or other service a day or two each week. It can help keep your kids from forgetting anything important they learned during the school year so they can start their next grade ready to hit the ground running. Kids that are even older may benefit from taking a part-time job for the season, giving them a little extra spending (or saving!) cash and teaching them valuable life skills.
Summer camps, whether sleep-away camps that last a week or more or day camps you can drop your kids off to in the morning, are also great options for ensuring your kids are supervised and engaged during the summer. From general summer camps that offer a variety of crafts, classes and outdoor activities, to camps specialized in art, sports, drama, science or music, you can find a program perfectly suited for your kids' interests.
The Today Parenting Team also recommends creating a seasonal bucket list of activities you all want to do together. Sit down with your kids and write down all of the things the want to do this summer and places they want to go. Many activities can be worked into your days off, like going to certain parks or zoos, while others you may be able to fit in after work, like playing certain games outside.
Whatever you decide to do to keep your kids engaged this summer, just be sure to be supportive and interested in what they're up when you all rejoin at the dinner table each night. Even if you can't physically be there for every activity, you can still share in these memories and help bond with your children. Then, be sure to schedule plenty of time for you all to spend together when you can. You'll be thankful for those moments for years to come!