How to Have a Fantastic Summer with Children

For many parents, the summer months cause panic and dread. How to pass the time, how to stay within a budget, how to create lifelong memories, how to avoid killing each other. Relax..........planning a fantastic summer is not as difficult as it may sound.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A positive attitude
• The internet
• A community calendar/guide

1. First, make a list of goals you have for the summer. Do you need your children to have something to do every day or do you want to take one day trip each week? Do you want your children to learn a new hobby or sport? Do you want them to develop new friendships? If you can put this down on paper, it will make prioritizing much easier.

2. Next, gather your resources. Your community will likely have a guide of camps and activities published well before summer begins, usually in March or April. This is a good place to start because you will find your best bargains here. The internet and friends are also great resources for camps, day trips, and other activities that will fill up your summer.

3. Third, make a budget for the summer. If you have $1000 to spend for the summer on activities and 2 children, clearly you will not be signing up for 10 weeks of summer camps. Being realistic vs. emotional when it comes to your children and their expectations can be difficult, but it's essential for your long-term stability.

4. If you are thinking one day each week is a great way to create memories, you are right. A day at the beach, a day at a museum, a picnic at the park, a long bicycle ride, a day picking berries are all fun day trips you and your children can look forward to.

5. Finally, remember it's not the amount of money you throw at your activities that will ensure success. It's planning, effort, and the level to which you are engaged in what you are doing with your children. They are only young for a blink of an eye. Don't miss it!

Tips & Warnings

• Bring a camera to each event you plan with your children.
• Have them diary their activities so they can remember what they did and improve their writing skills at the same time. Tricky!
• Evaluate each camp or day trip after you've completed them so you can help friends make good decisions in years to come. They will appreciate specific feedback!

[Cristene]

on 4/8/2009 You are brilliant.