School’s finally over. No more rushed mornings trying to get everyone out of the house and yourself to work. No more packing lunches. And certainly no more parent involvement in school activities -- at least for a little while.
And then it hits -- what are you going to do with your child for the next few months? How is he going to keep busy? For those of you who work -- how will you know he’s safe while you’re at the office?
As a parent myself, these questions loom large right about now. It’s almost like there’s a whole new set of parenting questions that comes into play. What I’ve come to realize is that there’s certainly no one way to plan your summer. We’re all different types of parents -- some working, some not working -- and that requires different constellations of activities.
Resources Abound
Look to Your Child’s School
Some of you have resources connected to your child’s school. Whether your child is in pre-kindergarten or 8th grade, many schools offer summer day camps. These may involve a half day, full day, or for older kids, sleep away camp. For working parents without a caregiver, the whole day camp experience can ensure that your child is busy, having fun, staying safe, and you don’t have to hire a caregiver.
Cost Considerations
Camps aren’t cheap though. In New York City, some run upwards of $6,000 and that’s not even for three months. Or, your child may not actually like the camp situation. It may be confusing for a child to be told his school year is finished, only to find himself back at school the next week for “camp.” While the actual classroom may be the same, different kids may be participants in the camp. Their arrival may also confuse your child who’s used to particular friends in the classroom.
Alternatives
Create Your Own Camp
If either of these scenarios sounds like you -- there are certainly ways to be creative about the summer months. My cousin’s wife, Daphne, organizes a wonderful 5-week experience with four of her mom friends. The same five moms get together every year and make their own camp. Each mom takes the kids for 1 week and plans daily activities. These might include trips to the zoo, the library, museums, activities at home, and time to play with one another. The beauty of the plan is that the week one of the moms has the kids, the other moms have free time. Of course they pitch in for activities, like swimming, where more supervision is needed. But overall, the kids have fun, and the moms get a break. The cost? A week of your time. This type of program is great for working and non-working parents. If it’s your week to “run” the camp, that could be when you take some time off.
Sign up for Classes that Reflect your Child’s Interests
Still other parents may have more flexibility in the summer. Teachers, college professors, school administrators -- the summer months may be a lull for folks in these professions. Some might decide they don’t want their child at camp all day, instead wanting to share more time. In this situation, a nice balance can be to find a variety of classes for your child. The advantage of this summer plan is that it means you can organize specific activities that directly reflect the interests of your child. Maybe your 8-year-old is really interested in soccer, but that’s not offered at her school’s summer camp. Enrolling your child on a soccer team can be a great way to meet that interest and spend time.
This last option is what we do with our girls. As a university professor, I have much more flexibility in the summer which provides an opportunity to plan activities my kids will really enjoy. Just the year before, for instance, my oldest daughter, Isabel, really wanted to take ballet. Try as I might, I simply couldn’t fit the classes into my work schedule during the academic year. Ballet class during the summer was her big birthday present, and she was thrilled.
Parent Concerns
Some parents may be skeptical. You might wonder, “Well, these classes are only 45 minutes. That’s not enough time.” I encourage parents to consider all the ancillary activities that go on around actually getting somewhere. Getting ready, transport to the class, leaving, stopping for a snack -- all this “stuff” associated with the activity make it fun.
Cost
Like anything, even classes can be costly. If your child is doing more than one, the expense can quickly add up. Also, if you work (whether full- or part-time), you still need a family member or a caregiver to watch your child when he’s not in class. Be resourceful: Call your local government information line to find out what your town or city offers kids during the summer. For teens, this may be different employment opportunities, like being a lifeguard or playground attendant.
You will probably be amazed at the opportunities provided. Our neighborhood pool in Harlem offers swim classes 3 times a week for 9 weeks. And it’s free! My daughters have literally learned to swim through this program. They look forward to it every year. What a change from the $50 a swim class we took one summer! And they get to meet other kids in the neighborhood. Call your aquatics department, town hall, local beach, and parks department. Who knows what you’ll find!
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Caroline S. Clauss-Ehlers, Ph.D., is a nationally known counseling psychologist and an assistant professor of counseling psychology at Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. She is an expert for the Pampers Parenting Institute and maintains a private practice in Manhattan, which is also where she lives with her husband and two daughters, ages 4 and 2.
