Survival tips from Dr. Linda Mintle for going from a structured school year to three months of chaos!

1. How do you go from a very structured school year to three months of no structure?

With a plan! You can change the rules but have a plan. The days are longer and kids will want to play outside more so adjust the bedtime and tell them this is a summer routine. Summer can be more relaxed but structure is still beneficial for kids. They still need adequate sleep, good nutrition and exercise.

2. How strict should you be about routines, such as meal or bed times?

Again, you can be more relaxed but have expectations and rules. Give a later bedtime and be more flexible with nights out and getting to bed late but don’t ignore their need for sleep. Also meal times should still be a family affair—maybe later in the evening for the dinner meal but keep the family together and have meals together as much as possible. The benefits to kids are many.

3. What if all the neighborhood kids stay out late, or have flexible dinner times -- How do you keep a routine without being too rigid?

You explain to your children how your family works. There will be a dinner time and they will have to come in for it and can go out again if there is time. And your rules include a time to come in every night although exceptions will be made for special events.

4. What about eating habits and keeping the junk food to a minimum?

Put a big bowl of fruit on the counter and let them snack on healthy items. You have to have snacks out and visible or easily accessed in the pantry or refrigerator. This is not the time to indulge in soda drinking and sugared snacks just because they aren’t in school. Children’s brains are not on vacation and are still developing and need good nutrition.

5. How do you deal with, "Mom, I'm bored! There's nothing to do!"? How can you tap into your city for fun trips? (City parks, pool, beach, museums, day trips, etc.)

Summer doesn’t have to be boring. It can be rewarding and fun if you spend time planning for those days. Make summer a memorable experience and not just 90 days before school starts again.

Here are 10 suggestions to help keep your children from summer boredom:

• Turn off the TV, computer and other electronic forms of entertainment. Limit use to minimal times in the day. Electronic “stuff” teaches kids to attend for short intervals, encourages passive activity and doesn’t stimulate cognitive development. Children and teens who spend much of their day in front of television and movies are less imaginative and have more difficulty delaying gratification. Many are overweight. While electronic “stuff” occupies time, it doesn’t provide much benefit. Kids need to be active, thinking and interacting with real people.

• Enroll your child in day camps or park and recreation activities. Many cities have organized opportunities for children. For example, my son will attend a one week, half day, Slime Camp in August. It’s basically a chemistry camp in which science becomes fun. He’ll get to blow up things and make gooey disgusting things, while making a mess somewhere other than my house! By August, he’ll be ready for the structured fun. Think ahead and look for interesting planned activities.

• Find a fun class like cooking, sculpting, tap dancing, pottery making, etc. Summer is a good time to experiment with an area of interest. Your child can try something new and decide if he/she likes it. This is a good way to get your child to think about hobbies, special interests and new activities. Sometimes the classes will be offered for parents and children together, e.g., bird watching, cooking, sailing, etc.

• Buy a pass to a community pool. This was the best investment of money I ever made. Swimming is active, fun and interactive. It’s also a great way to beat summer heat!

• Get involved in the public library with a summer reading program. You will reinforce reading skills, explore books and relax in an air-conditioned room.

• Explore your city. Check out the museums, points of interest, fun stores, etc. For example, Chicago offers free admission to museums on specific days of the week. Find parks, skateboard parks, nature walks, etc. Get out and explore your community.

• Volunteer for civic organizations or church activities as helpers, workers or whatever is needed. Do a park clean-up day, a walk to fight cancer, teach at vacation bible school and take the kids, plant flowers at the church, etc.

• Get kids a part time job. They can baby-sit, mow lawns, deliver papers, offer to do errands for an elderly person, etc.

• Help your child develop a hobby like bird watching, card collecting and marbles. Have your child organize groups around those activities.

• Encourage creative play around the house. Have bountiful art supplies, water games, board games, cards and put on dramatic plays. Be prepared for rainy days.

6. How do you keep kids from sitting in front of the television or playing video games all day?

Turn them off or limit their time and make them play outside or do something active in the house. Set up play spaces in your house, get dress up clothes, chalk for the driveway, art supplies, books, audio tapes of books, games, and play games with them.

7. What about kids who live way across town from their good school buddies?

They have to make neighbor friends. Join the swim team or do a backyard vacation Bible school or something to bring kids to your yard—organize kick ball, etc. Arrange for play days with school friends once in awhile or when you go that direction in your car for some reason but meet the children in your neighborhood or at the community center, YMCA or church.

Dr. Mintle – author, professor, Approved Supervisor and Clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy – is a speaker and media personality, as well as a licensed clinical social worker with over twenty years in psychotherapy practice.

For more articles and information, visit Dr. Linda Mintle's Web site.