Morning - swim class and academic work.
Afternoon - whatever they want to do (they'll want to read for pleasure anyway). Pool in the evening, movies, whatever.

Outings to museums, exhibits, etc...

Anonymous wrote:Kids make a bucket list; read; and play outside. Minimize the number of structured activities, so they exercise their executive functions.

I do like the bucket list. That's what we did the last 2 summers. It was nice. They put down everything they really wanted to do in the summer, and I put down some of my goals for them (like swimming lessons) and we included pretty much all of it. This year we haven't really done that yet. I guess because this summer I feel like I'm struggling with the shapelessness of each day, and wanting to find a way to work in my own goals for myself as well (like exercise and education and job-hunt networking). As I type this though, I realized that I should just be including my own goals in the bucket list and then working on figuring out the days from there. Also, they are getting to an age at which they want to fill any free time by being on the computer, and I want to create some useful limits on that.

Anonymous wrote:Only thing structured in my house is that they eat three meals a day. That's pretty much it!

That sounds relaxing to me. But don't you find they are always wanting you to take them somewhere, like immediately? Maybe I'm just not good with spontaneity.

Only thing structured in my house is that they eat three meals a day. That's pretty much it!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am thinking of having them learn to type properly (since they don't teach that at school), and continue with piano lessons, and go to the pool. Is the online tutorial at code.org good? Or does anyone else recommend an online way to learn coding? My kids don't usually get much time on the computer, so they're a little behind many of their classmates in this.

But I'm interested in other ideas. I believe down time and boredom is necessary for creativity, but also in order for me not to go nutty, I need a bit of a plan. Or at least a collection of ideas to offer. Also plan to take advantage of some DC museums etc.

How old are your kids?

they're 12 and 10

Anonymous wrote:I let my kids enjoy their summer.

OP here, and can you give more detail?

I find that complete lack of any parent guidance is not what most allows my kids to enjoy the summer. So, please elaborate. Do you do absolutely nothing? Just let them do whatever they want all the time? Do you drive them wherever they want to go? What does it mean, you let them enjoy their summer? Do you allow them unlimited computer and TV time? (And if so, do they enjoy that? I don't think mine would. So far, too much screen time makes them really grumpy. But I haven't tried making it unlimited for weeks on end to see if they learn self-regulation.)

We don't belong to a pool, but I plan to take them to the public pools. I don't think I could stand to do it more than 2-3 times a week as it's not something I enjoy. But they are not very good swimmers, so we need to work on that. For now, though, going to the pool is not going to make them enjoy summer more. Once they are confident swimmers, I'm sure they'll enjoy the pool, though. I am truly interested in what works for you, even (or especially) if it is completely different from what I think might work for us.

I find that I'm not happy with a completely free-form kid-guided summer, because the kids make lots of demands (like "I want to play mini-golf, can we go NOW?!") and I also like time for myself when I know I can get things done. So I don't mind figuring in everything they want to do, but I like to give it a little shape so I don't feel like I need to always be at their beck and call. My own kids also seem to be happier when they know what will be happening for the next few days, and when they have free time, and what they can look forward to.

Swimming at the pool or going to some spray grounds--there are many of the latter that are free.

Agree with having a bucket list--have the kids pick a few wish list activities/excursions for the summer. Maybe a favorite museum, amusement park, rope or rock climbing. Reading list--choose a few books to read for fun.

Doing the typing and coding and having some down time is good too.

Anonymous wrote:I am thinking of having them learn to type properly (since they don't teach that at school), and continue with piano lessons, and go to the pool. Is the online tutorial at code.org good? Or does anyone else recommend an online way to learn coding? My kids don't usually get much time on the computer, so they're a little behind many of their classmates in this.

But I'm interested in other ideas. I believe down time and boredom is necessary for creativity, but also in order for me not to go nutty, I need a bit of a plan. Or at least a collection of ideas to offer. Also plan to take advantage of some DC museums etc.

How old are your kids?

Kids make a bucket list; read; and play outside. Minimize the number of structured activities, so they exercise their executive functions.

I let my kids enjoy their summer.

Do you have access to a pool? That's my plan for getting my kids exercise this summer. It wipes them out.

Also, early morning is better for getting outside. We might do some AM hikes on nearby trails. Might try to go canoeing/kayaking as well. Biking if my youngest can keep up.

Anonymous wrote:Not a SAHM but I have started Keyboarding without Tears with my rising third grader. And it's really great. And cheap.

Oh, and not sure where you are, but check out nature centers for some activities.

Not a SAHM but I have started Keyboarding without Tears with my rising third grader. And it's really great. And cheap.

should say that I also want to make sure they get enough exercise, and find this challenging in the heat of summer

I am thinking of having them learn to type properly (since they don't teach that at school), and continue with piano lessons, and go to the pool. Is the online tutorial at code.org good? Or does anyone else recommend an online way to learn coding? My kids don't usually get much time on the computer, so they're a little behind many of their classmates in this.

But I'm interested in other ideas. I believe down time and boredom is necessary for creativity, but also in order for me not to go nutty, I need a bit of a plan. Or at least a collection of ideas to offer. Also plan to take advantage of some DC museums etc.