Do younger teens really do nothing all summer?

[Anonymous]

My son (14) is doing random camps with friends most of the summer.

I’d let him do nothing if everyone else was doing nothing - but he wants to do these camps because that’s where his friends are. Otherwise he’s just sitting around while everyone else is gone. And he doesn’t like sitting around (much).

I think it depends a lot on the kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of you are clearly so uncomfortable with the idea of just letting your kids be. Exist. They have to always be busy, busy, busy with some outside structured activity. Then you can pat yourselves on the back for being such great parents without ever actually having to parent.

The DMV is a sick area. 14 years olds don’t need jobs or volun(told) hours. Just let them be kids for awhile.

I had a summer job when I was 14 back in the olden days - and I see plenty of younger teens working at places like ice cream shops, stores, etc when we go to other parts of the country on vacation, so it's not just this area. You can work 4 hours a day at an easy summer job and still be a kid.

Written by someone who does not have a 14 year old looking for a job in the DMV.

I was responding to the PP who said DMV parents were terrible for making their kids have summer jobs or volunteering. Just pointing out that there's still plenty of time to do fun summer stuff and have a part-time job, and that it's not unique to the DMV area that young teens have summer jobs.

If your 14 WANTS a summer job or to volunteer that’s great. If you MAKE them, then you’re overbearing and kind of a sh!tty parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most lower middle class kids of two working parents either do nothing or do stuff around the house, like clean and cook dinner. Source: what I did.

That was true 30 years ago. Now the poor unsupervised kids are the worst screen addicts of all.

Yes, this is true unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t read all the replies. My kid is the same age as OP’s (rising sophomore). Last summer, he took a HS class, and next summer he will likely work.

This summer, all he’s doing that’s structured is club swim, summer swim, and then marching band camp in August. But I wouldn’t call it nothing. The rest of his time (excluding travel) is spent doing things like going to the pool with friends, chores at home, reading, a little academics, gardening, cooking, some volunteer work, etc.

[Anonymous]

My 13 almost 14 year old is doing 4 weeks of sleepaway camp, a week of speciality camp, 2 weeks with various extended family, one week of family vacation, and one week of visiting long distance grandparents and cousins.

[Anonymous]

My almost 13 year old is doing two weeks of camp (one is half day,) We are taking two vacations and the rest of the time he is free to do whatever. He sleeps late, rides his bike, watches tv, reads, works on his website and practices his instrument. He said he's having a great time!

[Anonymous]

Let them do nothing. They’re gonna have the rest of their lives to worry about work . He’s right about most teens doing nothing.

For teen summers, Id suggest one volunteer summer , a driving school summer, an internship summer, work or summer class . I’d say getting a certification before college is also helpful (EMT, lifeguard , tech certifications etc etc )

[Anonymous]

Kids look forward to the summer so they can relax for a bit .

[Anonymous]

My 14 year old is doing Summer PE (her idea), and is getting CPR certified. Plus she does her sport year round, and has her instrument to keep her busy.

We just got back from vacation, and she had a friend over on Tuesday, is getting ready to hang out with friends today, has plans with a different set tomorrow (she met these kids on vacation), and has friends coming over on Saturday to hang out at the pool. While she does have to prioritize her "work", there is still plenty of time to hang out and do whatever she wants.

[Anonymous]

My 13yo and 15yo kids have been babysitting, running their lawn care "business," practicing their sports, and doing their pet projects (reading, building bookshelves, setting up a small backyard pond (250 gallons), and building LEGO sets).

Next week, we will go on a family vacation for two weeks.

When we return from vacation, my young teens will continue their babysitting, lawn care, sports, and pet projects.

When they're 16, my kids have to get a summer job, so for my 15yo, this is the last summer of doing what they want, when they want.

[Anonymous]

I think lots of parents will define "nothing" differently.

My kid has school affiliated workouts for their sport 4x a week, sometimes up to 3 hours (it is not football). They are attending a camp for 1 week. Taking a few short trips with family. Working as a CIT for two weeks. Spending time at home relaxing, playing chess, with friends, and hopefully doing a little bit of studying to keep up with language and math and get ahead on PSAT and driving learner's permit prep.

I assume next summer will be more traditional with working a pt job and doing his sport and a longer vacation.

It is a tough age.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Somewhere around 10-12 when they outgrow day camp until they are old enough for a job and maybe driving is a tough time.

[Anonymous]

My 13yo is doing sports camps, is in a summer basketball league and taking a writing course. He has many hours free per day where he is doing nothing.

My 15yo has always been a busier kid. He is currently doing research at a lab. He is studying for his PSAT/SAT and has many hobbies and interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Somewhere around 10-12 when they outgrow day camp until they are old enough for a job and maybe driving is a tough time.

Lots of fun camps past age 12. You just have to look for them. And they are not every week but still.

[Anonymous]

My 14 yo will do 3 weeks of family vacations (not consecutive), a week of camp, and morning practices for a fall sport starting in August. Her friends also seem to be traveling a lot now.