How to Give the Little Ones a Memorable Summer Break

The unbearably hot weather is a constant reminder that the summer is here and that school is almost out. We are talking about trips, camps and even what each kid would be up to week to week. For me, juggling two schedules just got harder as my second mini me comes of “camp age”!

This got me thinking- do we really need to plan everything out to a tee? 

As a full time working mum up to the end of last summer, I often booked camps and activities for my kids week to week outside of family trips. It was reassuring to see pictures of them running around supervised since I couldn’t be with them. But having spent more time at home in recent months, the answer to the question in the title hit me:

More Playtime.

Just as adults and business leaders practice meditation and mindfulness, kids’ version of being in the moment is simply playing! So why deprive them of that? Here’s why that’s important:

“Researchers believe that the dramatic drop in unstructured playtime is in part responsible for slowing kids’ cognitive and emotional development…In addition to helping kids learn to self-regulate, child-led, unstructured play (with or without adults) promoted intellectual, physical, social and emotional well-being. Unstructured play helps children learn how to work in groups, to share, negotiate, resolve conflicts, regulate their emotions and behavior, and speak up for themselves.”

-      Raising Happiness by Christine Carter, PH.D. (Link to book)

Goofing…

Amazing, isn’t it? Less is more.

As parents living in a city, we are surrounded by different class options (I’m getting multiple emails/day on these!) and I often hear concerns that kids need extra-curricular tuition to stay ahead and fears that kids get bored. It is not uncommon to hear of kids’ schedules that consist of: 2 kindergartens, eating lunches in the car, short naps during car shuttles between classes and jam packed hour by hour schedules. But think about applying such a schedule to an adult- a sure fire way to an unhappy and unhealthy lifestyle I hear you say!

I try to find a balance by signing up for some classes that my kids really enjoy but also actively budgeting down time, which I consider equally important. Down time to my kids consists of playing at home, going to the playground, going on an ad hoc playdate, baking, reading, going for a swim if it’s boiling hot- we find “spur-of-the-moment” things often the most memorable! One bonus is that my son gets to spend more time with his little sister now that we’ve cut back on some of his classes after school. And on top of that I save some $$$!

This summer, we’ll be joining some half day and short sports classes when we are in town. How will you be spending yours? Do you have any favorite activities that you would recommend for the holidays? Send me a note or leave a comment below!

Wishing you and yours a memorable summer break!

Jane

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