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Undercover Summer
Summer is for
relaxing. It's time for taking a break from all those
mundane schedules of the school year and doing absolutely
nothing if you feel like it. Or if you prefer… simply
playing. Some kids think summer means sleeping in,
staying up late, and long hours of uninterrupted time with
friends. For others, it means summer camps, family
vacations, and extended stays with far-off cousins that
are more fun than anyone to be with. But for all children
everywhere, the most popular characteristic of summer can
be summed up in two words:
No School.
Parents tend to
look at summer in quite a different light. What to do
with the kids during the hours that you are working?
Which summer camps to send them to, and which local
daytime programs are not already filled to capacity. How
much you can really afford this year for those special
interest activities like drama clubs, sports camps, or
karate lessons? Summertime can be stress-times for
parents who are already stretched to the limits in so many
other ways. But one of the most frequently asked
questions of all parents, no matter where they are coming
from, is… what about academics?
 Should
I send my children to summer school? Should I keep them
"brushed up" on math and reading skills so they will not
forget everything they learned and have to start out
behind everyone else next fall? Billy got a borderline
passing grade in English – should I hire a tutor? And
what about those learning centers you're always hearing
about over the radio and TV, where they claim they can
"raise your child's grade level" if you follow their
program, and even your children will be happier?
All good
ideas. Every one of them. But what do you do if your
children aren't interested in any? Even more important,
what do you do if they are, but you simply can't "swing
it" financially at this particular time? Outside of
vacation Bible schools (which are still free to the
general public), most of these "extra curricular
activities" tend to get pretty expensive. Which leaves
the greater portion of "summer vacationers" with way too
much idle time on their hands. Not to mention a bit rusty
in the academic department. What's more, any suggested
activities that even remotely resemble schoolwork is
usually met with disdain by children who have made it
their personal quest to "goof off" for the whole season…
almost as a matter of pride.
That's when
it's time for parents to a little "undercover work."
Because the truth is, kids do tend to get rusty on
academics if they do nothing to stimulate thinking during
the summer. Besides that, leaving the thinking part of
the brain un-stimulated for long periods, usually
constitutes nothing less than a "jump start" to get it
going again later on in the fall. The definition of
"jump start" here, meaning a tremendous jolt of power to
transfer energy… which is not always pleasant. At either
end. Simply because it drains the source and shocks the
recipient. But how to go about all this without ruining
the spirit of summer?
Don't let
them know what you're doing.
And before you
get any twinges of behaving sneaky or unethical, let's
clarify the perspective here: This kind of anonymity falls
more under the category of doing good deeds without having
to have them connected to your name up in lights for
having done them. Such people in most societies are
referred to as saints. Especially when the outcome is for
the benefit of all. Coupled with the fact that children
are great enthusiasts for trying anything new, you now
have what is commonly known as a workable situation.
 Most
children love trying new things, especially if it bears
the least bit of resemblance to a challenge or a game.
Unless it's edible: the reputation of which has been
tainted by too many parents who have handed over a plate
of artichokes and promised their unwary offspring that if
they "try it, they'll like it." Working undercover in the
academic department is actually much easier than in the
field of nutrition… it just takes a little pre-planning.
Following are a
few suggestions to make that planning a little easier:
¨
TEAM UP WITH FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.
You're not alone! Not only does anyone with kids usually
have the same struggles and questions as you, a group can
always come up with a greater array of answers and ideas
to combat them. There are also other benefits. Children
get more enjoyment out of activities they can also
interact with others in; and parents who are pressed for
time can still provide the best of these activities with
their children by sharing the supervision with other
parents. There's strength in numbers.
¨
USE YOUR LOCAL RESOURCES. The
library, the YMCA, and local parks and swimming pools can
provide hours of endless enjoyment for children whose only
problem is getting there. Setting aside
convenience for putting a priority on transportation can
yield great benefits for everybody. Once again, friends
and neighbors can be a real help here when it comes to
car-pooling.
¨
ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE. Children can
get as frustrated or disappointed as adults when it comes
to having gone through a long period of time without
"doing anything." Don't wait for warning signs of bad
behavior before you decide it's time to think up something
for them to do… this reinforces the bad behavior.
Children are not stupid. It only takes a few times for
them to discover a "battle royal" always gets them a
change, one way or another. The other side of the coin is
to simply change things beforehand. Do you go to the
library once a week? Make a certain day library day, or
swimming day, or shopping day. The time for those
activities may make no difference to you, but a schedule
for anything not only gives kids something to look forward
to, it also promotes a sense of security.
¨
DEVELOP A PROJECT. Summertime is the
best time for all those things that take too much time to
accomplish during the school year. Like jigsaw puzzles
that can stay out until they're finished, or outdoor
projects that never had enough light left in the day to
really enjoy. And don't think every activity has to be
completed in a day. Long-term projects can not only hold
children's interest, they can be amazingly gratifying.
For example, participation in something like "The Eggs
Prize" which is now being offered for children in
conjunction with the real life, international space race
for "The X Prize," can keep a group of children (or
even a single child) fascinated for weeks on end. You can
get more information on this and similar projects by
visiting
www.Xprize.com.
¨
READ FOR MONEY. Uh-oh, is this a
bribe? You bet it is. But there are times when nothing
less than a bribe will do, and this is one of them. The
thing about a bribe is, the person who is offering it is
usually banking on something much bigger and more valuable
in return. Same with reading for money. If you offer
your children say… a dollar per book (not to include
picture books or toddler series if your child is of
legitimate school age) it is going to seem to them like
they just struck the "Mother lode." How dumb can you
get? Why they could read ALL KINDS OF BOOKS this summer.
Man – you are going to be coming to THEM just to take out
a loan they're going to read so many books! Which
is exactly what you want. Because each time they
read a single book, they will be touched, enlightened,
thought-provoked, and literally hooked on books. And that
can educate a child like no other medium can achieve.
This method has never failed – in one summer -- to produce
children that are devoted readers for a lifetime. And
that in itself, is priceless.
¨
TRY SOMETHING NEW. Don't be afraid
to try something out of the ordinary this summer. Pizza,
movies, and an unlimited account at the video store are
not the only "sure shots" for an enjoyable summer… as
much as your darlings will insist that they are. Is there
a special exhibit coming to your town? Have you always
wanted to train for a marathon? Maybe you have always
wanted to experience swimming with dolphins, but never let
it be anything more than a passing fancy in your
daydreams. Such experiences can be lifetime experiences
for children whether they live up to your expectations, or
not. So, be brave… try something totally different as a
family this year.
¨
DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITY. Many
parents dread the coming of summer simply for the extra
work it constitutes for them. More activities, more kids
running through the house, extended bedtimes, etc. But it
doesn't have to be that way. Children will not only rise
to the challenge of responsibility, they will excel in
it. Give them the opportunity to clean the house if they
are going to have friends over (before you say, "Yeah,
right," let's clarify giving them the opportunity: "When
you get the house clean, you may have your friends over."
Big difference.) Or better yet, give them an opportunity
to earn money for extra chores. There's always a need for
more money during the summer. If some of your children's
activities can be paid for by their own earnings, they
won't be so quick to pester you over things you have no
intentions of giving in to. Like a super-duper slime
sleep-over party. If they want one that bad, let them
foot the bill and clean up afterward. You might just be
surprised at how practical your own children turn out to
be.
 Undercover
summer agents. Your mission – should you choose to accept
it -- is to make your children THINK they are taking a
break from learning experiences, when in fact, they are
really getting more of them. Not only more but better.
Which of us can not remember best those
nostalgic summers of our youth? The warm fragrant air of
an outside evening, friendships that are bonded by a seal
one never forgets… and most of all, that ultimate
contentment of being totally free and unencumbered for
weeks on end. Summers tend to be the most impressionable
times of childhood. They are also a rare opportunity for
parents to impress their children in the very best of
ways. And you can do it.
By making it an
"undercover summer."
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