summer rules/schedules?

[binny]

I have come to accept the fact that my children thrive on schedules. I dont want to OVER schedule them but they do need some sort of structure during the summer.

We have the routine of get dressed then come downstairs and have breakfas. We play for a bit then its all up for grabs.

I need to get them some more structure for their day. If they dont have something they know will happen everyday, they get antsy.


Do you have any structure during the summer? Do you have rules that are different now? Things that they have to do that they didnt during the school year?

I need some ideas! Thanks

 

[tw1nsmom]

My kids need structure too. Here are just some ideas:

Get dressed
Breakfast
Indoor Play (giving you a chance to clean up from breakfast)
Cleanup Time for kids...Beds, dirty clothes, and toys
Outdoor free play
Snack
Arts and Crafts
Gardening (have them plant a small vegetable garden...maybe in containers)
Lunch
Reading time
Nap?
Outdoor/Water play
snack
Outings:
Bike riding/nature walks
Library visits
Visit a nursing home...bring craft projects made earlier
Grocery shopping
Children's museum
School playground
Etc.

Dinner
Family Walk or outdoor play
Bath Time
Story Time
Bed (having a campout in the yard or living room once a week can be fun)

 

[NMAmy]

How old are your kids?

Since mine is a teenager and I work--as long as she does her chores, she can make her own schedule. She has basketball three times a week so that adds a bit of structure. I leave a list of things she needs to do each day (pick up her room, clean her bathroom, empty the dishwasher, etc.) It's not strenuous by any means. After that's done, the day is hers. Most of it is spent lying around watching movies/tv or reading or going to places she can walk in the neighborhood.

When she was young, she went to daycare during the summer so she had lots of structure there.

 

[binny]

sorry they are 6, 7 and 11



Thanks for the great ideas we will check into some of those.