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Get Ready for Summer Vacation Summer break from school is fast approaching, and since every kid is looking forward to being out of school, sleeping later and watching television and mindless movies, parents may be worried about how to maintain a healthy balance of relaxation and productive disposal of free time in order to make sure that the youngsters don't return to school in the Fall, saying that they did "nothing" all vacation long. Blended families have the added stress of organizing summer visits with the "other" parent, coordinating parental schedules and ensuring that the kids have structure as well as fun. Michele Farias, an educator and school counselor for at least twenty-five years, tackles this interesting issue in her popular book, "25 Ways to Keep Your Child Safe, Healthy and Successful: Lessons from a School Counselor." She explains that she is constantly surprised at the number of children who claim that they did nothing meaningful for the entire summer. As we all know, summer is a chance to relax, unwind from the strain of a demanding school schedule and immerse oneself in fun activities that may not be feasible the remainder of the year. In any case, Ms Farias believes that it is beneficial for kids to balance summer vacation time with productive activities in order to prepare them for a successful school year to look forward to. Following are some useful hints in a chapter dedicated to summer activities: Family Time Summer vacation offers a great time for investing in family time. This is especially critical for children in blended families that may not be capable of maintaining close relationships with cousins, grandparents and family friends due to moving back and forth between households, or because of geographic or logistical challenges. Families may be able to feel close again by traveling together on a road or a camping trip, spending time at the beach or the park, playing board games or enjoying a sport or a pastime. Ms Farias labels these activities ?memory builders,? because when people remember important and significant childhood memories, they generally involve family activities. Family outings supply an ideal opportunity to eat mealtime together, sleep in close proximity, share experiences and strengthen relationships. There are various ways to do this without spending a ton of money, and Ms Farias urges readers to go to www.puttingfamilyfirst.org for creative and budget-friendly ideas for economical family fun. The relaxed summer schedule provides a perfect opportunity to make time for family mealtimes which are many times difficult to accomplish during the over-scheduled school year. The family dinner can be an acute challenge in blended families who have conflicting schedules, transitioning children and general lack of time. It has been noted that family mealtimes improve communication, cooperation and closeness, and decrease the likelihood that young people today will indulge in drug and alcohol use. Resolve to have meals together when the entire family is sitting face to face, engaged with each other and not pulled away by cell phones, Blackberries, television or PCs. No need to break out the fine dishes or having grandma?s manners on display. Rather, simplify and have all members contribute in every way, from planning meals, going shopping, preparing the food and setting and clearing the table. Even the smallest members of the family will feel useful, and the whole family will feel more connected, more valued and an important part of a cohesive family unit. Participate in Activities Summer vacation offers a great opportunity for kids to try new skills and activities that children may not have time to venture into throughout the remainder of the school year. Try a camp offered by the your city's recreation department, or a sports camp arranged by hometown schools or universities. Learning a previously unattempted skill or sport, polishing an existing skill or trying something altogether different will be a unique learning experience that would never happen otherwise. teenagers may be encouraged to explore the world of possible employment, by offering child-care services, mowing lawns or detailing cars, or applying to be an intern in a career field that they may be considering. These exciting forays into the adult world provide young people with a manageable taste of what it may entail to be at one's job on time, stay focused, and experience responsibility away from the oversight of parents and teachers. This learning experience is priceless to young adults as they get ready for independent living while pursuing higher education. Reading Summer reading should be an essential part of summer vacation, and Ms Farias recommends a daily goal of no less than thirty minutes every day with no television, computer, or I Pod anywhere around. She firmly asserts that reading proficiency contributes highly to achievement in school, and notes that kids who are not good at reading struggle in all subject areas, even math. She asks that parents help their children understand that reading is well-appreciated at home, and so that they may convey this important message to kids, Ms Farias puts forth the following: 1) read to younger children every day; 2) discuss with teens what they are reading and prod them to discuss plot, characters and setting; 3) take excursions to the library and assist in finding appropriate books for younger kids; 4) sign up for reading groups; and 5) always give youngsters books as gifts. Emily Bouchard co-authored the ebook Conquering Conflict with her husband Darryl. In the last two years alone, the Bouchards have helped over 3500 people change their lives through their coaching, trainings, and resource-based website, www.blended-families.com. They travel throughout the U.S. and Canada leading workshops for couples, families, communities, professionals, and entrepreneurs who want to understand how to better communicate in their personal and business lives. Emily Bouchard has over twenty years of experience in working with children, teens, couples and families. She earned a B.A. with honors in an individualized major in Child Development from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. For more information, visit their website or email Emily at emily@blended-families.com |