Friday marks the end of summer camp season at most programs, which means that working parents will be taking their vacation days and stay-at-home parents will be preparing for the sudden shift in their daily routines.
In both cases, kids may need some time to unwind from a structured summer agenda that isn’t all that different from their school schedules - minus the homework. Other kids, however, may find the free time somewhat stressful and start asking you before the sun rises on Monday what they’ll be doing that day. You know your child best, so take this week to prepare for either response.
Some children are truly exhausted by the summer camp routine and may have trouble being motivated to do much of anything as next week begins. For the child who just wants to sit in front of the TV or computer, allow for that period of relaxation for about an hour. Then try to engage them in a board game, baking or outdoor play. Take a walk around the neighborhood. Visit the library. In fact, if a solitary, quiet activity is what they prefer, encourage them to read. But whatever you do, allow them to have some say in the plans so they don’t become stressed.
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On the other hand, some children are anxious when they don’t have a place they have to be each day. For the child who needs to have structure, plan activities like play dates with kids they haven’t seen much of this summer. Try to make sure that they have one significant activity each day, like a trip to a local museum or the beach. But also encourage them to find ways to entertain themselves since they need this time between camp and school to unwind, even if they balk at first. Further, being able to entertain themselves is an important task of childhood.
You may feel compelled to use this time to schedule doctor appointments and back-to-school shopping. But if you do, be sure to space that out over the next two weeks as all kids, regardless of whether or not they prefer a schedule, will likely complain if their "downtime” is all about running around doing errands.
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But if you’re the one who is a bit jittery about having the kids home during the day, here are two activities that should suit everyone’s temperament:
- The new Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead houses butterflies and tropical birds, a new, interactive exhibit at what was called Atlantis Marine World. Of course there’s the rest of the aquarium to enjoy as well. Visithttp://longislandaquarium.com.
- Kids bowl free at the Maple Family Centers’ RVC Lanes in Rockville Centre (www.rvclanes.net ), Farmingdale Lanes (www.farmingdalelanes.com) and Coram Country Lanes (www.coramcountrylanes.com). Register online or at one of the centers to entitle kids to a free game each day this summer.
For more ideas about things to do, visit http://liparentonline.com/events_calendar.html for daily family events.
Liza N. Burby is Publisher of Long Island Parent Magazine and liparentonline.com.