Keeping kids occupied after end of summer "honeymoon."

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), July, 1996

Summer vacations are like honeymoons. Everything is wonderful for about two weeks and then, for no apparent reason, things go decidedly downhill. After the "honeymoon period" wears off, children may find that boredom and monotony have stepped in to fill the shoes that rapture and the bliss of freedom previously occupied. In this situation, what's a parent to do?

"Establishing a `routine' for kids is the key to having a happy, healthy, and productive summer," suggests Wanda Draper, a child psychiatrist at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. "Kids enter summer with great enthusiasm and excitement, and they stay that way for about two weeks. Then, they begin to miss their friends and the routine they've been in for the past nine months. Suddenly, the `new' wears off and they don't know what to do with all of this free time."

Organized play activities such as day care or community education programs are good for youngsters. Teenagers can benefit by getting summer jobs or taking care of smaller kids. Other ways to help children through the summer are to:

Plan family events on a regular basis. A trip to the zoo, having a barbecue, watching a movie, cooking meals together, playing catch, or riding bicycles are ways parents can strengthen family ties.

Enroll them in community activities. Bible schools, scout camps, 4-H activities, indoor or outdoor sports, swimming lessons, workshops at the local library, or other programs keep kids involved in relationships with peers and stimulate creativity.

Provide outlets for those who must attend summer school or tutoring programs. "These kids should have plenty of time for play and involvement in pressure-free, non-academic activities," Draper notes.

Plan activities in advance. Talk about the summer, week by week. "Children like to plan. But make sure you follow through if you promise a fun activity. Backing out on promises leaves children feeling rejected and psychologically abandoned."

Encourage them to use their minds and try new things. Kids need mental stimulation during the summer. Otherwise, they'll be restless and ill at ease. "Let kids pursue hobbies, work puzzles, play word games, and try new activities. "Young people face a lot of changes when summer arrives. They have no school to contend with, different hours for rising and going to bed, a different daily routine or no routine at all, much more freedom than they're accustomed to, and no homework to provide an intellectual stimulus. But by planning ahead and establishing a routine that includes activities that are both mentally and psychologically stimulating, children can have a much more enjoyable summer."