My kids are same age and they have camp some weeks but not others. Regardless, I make them a list in the morning of stuff they have to do, read, clean up, specific chores, walk dog, and once they do that they are free. They like the sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing and then they can go to the pool, use their electronics, call a friend or whatever. I also always tell them if I need time to do stuff so they are in charge of making their own fun.

Anonymous wrote:I let my kids enjoy their summer.

Yup! Here too. They get exercise by jumping on the trampoline, lots of pool time, riding bikes. All learning is "accidental". Trips to the library to get books they WANT to read instead of what they HAVE to read. They send me emails a few times a day while I'm at work---that works on typing and their writing skills. They have chores to do around the house (making beds, folding laundry, emptying dishwasher, etc).
I roll my eyes at "structure" in the summer. And why the hell is OP targeting SAHP'S?

Our DD is now putting a lot of time and effort into getting her twin girls at age 6.5 appropriate swimming lessons. One is very afraid of the water and she does feel it is important to have this life skill for safety and just enjoyment. Her other focus is to be sure they learn to ride a bike safely. Her DH is a great guy, but not much of an active sports person. By the way one might look into a class for older non-swimmers, and it might be that having your children taking swimming lessons at different times might work better than together. Posters are correct that summer routine should be based on what works best for a family. Given the rigidity and often frenetic pace of the school year, it is good to have change and a slower rhythm at times, too.

Assuming someone can swim based in their age is pretty presumptuous, and dangerous.

Anonymous wrote:They don't enjoy the pool bc they aren't confident swimmers? Are you sure? My three year old non-swimmer loves going to the pool.

Why don't you ask your kids what they want to do?

Not OP, but often when you ask a teen/tween, you get the answer, "I don't know." It's also very different being a teen or tween and a being 3 and being a non-swimmer. Most people will assume that when you're older you know how to swim. Older kids are going to feel more self-conscious.

I like 10:32 ideas, OP.

They don't enjoy the pool bc they aren't confident swimmers? Are you sure? My three year old non-swimmer loves going to the pool.

Why don't you ask your kids what they want to do?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, your kids are 12 and 10 and not good swimmers? I would think about some swimming lessons. They should really be strong swimmers by that age, just for safety reasons.

Yes, I know. It's embarrassing. It's not that we didn't try, though. We did lessons in the summers for at least 3-4 different summers, starting at age 2. They just were super resistant and afraid. You can't force a kid to swim. We need to start lessons and just keep doing them even beyond the summer if needed, though that gets so expensive. Can anyone recommend a swim teacher who can make the lessons fun or at least tolerable for fearful older kids? I'm resigned to needing private lessons, since the group lessons don't seem to work. My kids can be very stubborn.

There will be recommendations on the SN forum listing swim teachers who will be patient with kids. (Your kids don't have to be SN, just someone who will coach them and not make them more resistant/fearful.)

Oh, thank you. That's a great idea. One of my children does seem really rigid around the concept, and I can see someone used to working with special needs kids being a good fit.

Thank you to other pps too. I have found many suggestions encouraging and helpful. Except for the people who don't give any detail around the whole "I let my kids enjoy their summer" thing. What I am trying to do here is ensure my kids enjoy the summer! (despite having to take swimming lessons )

Hopefully your kids will enjoy their summer. You can ensure nothing. You can plan all kinds of stuff YOU define as fun/enjoyable, but their definition can be very different. Your kids may not be as lazy without all your plans as you might expect.

It sounds like a perfect summer for your kids would be:

1. Swim lessons
2. Keyboarding and coding classes
3. Learning to help take care of the house with you in age appropriate ways (cleaning rooms, learning to cook - maybe including them in weekly meal planning and prep)
4. Make a summer "bucket list" of 10 interesting local outings. Allow them to research online and find some things in the area that they want to do.

That sounds like a pretty full and amazing summer to me!

We will be staying at my brother's house in San Diego and DS is getting horseback riding lessons from his cousin, private swimming lessons, and we are taking his Chinese tutor with us. We went to Europe with his tutor for a week and just got back.

His tutor is moving to Phoenix to start a new job thus we are going there for a week in July to help her get settled. Grandma and other family members live in Phoenix so it works out since no one in their right mind goes to Phoenix in July

I SAH. The best summer we've had so far had a mix of vacations, people visiting, camp, and mostly free time and classes. So, basically every week doesn't look the same as the week before. Don't do too much structure, write a big list of fun stuff to do, both local and far.

The camp was only one week out of the summer, two weeks for vacation, one mini trip, lots of playdates, lots of time at the pool (but spontaneous, not planned), swim lessons, and random fun things like going to the movies, painting, parks, etc.

For your family, I would focus on building summer around the swim lessons. That is very important.

At ages 12 and 10 also perfect summer to learn to take on personal and household chores such as :

- Doing their laundry
- Cleaning their room/bathroom
- Making their lunches and cleaning up some days
- Rotating dinner set-up and clean up
- Learning to cook (12 year old)

Also special household jobs at times with you or DH - washing the car(s) that take them places, vacuuming/dusting the family room where they hang out with friends, raking the yard, etc. whatever works for your family. True you are a SAHM, but that does not stand for Stay At Home Maid, and this is the summer to clearly show them the difference. Also, they are old enough to be told there will be time each day or certain days of the week that is "Mom's Time Alone" and they are to occupy themselves.....

Also in terms of other things that may benefit them from what you indicate:

- Series of private swim lessons to refine stroking as most kids by that age do know how to swim and kids start branching out into activities involving water so you want them to be safe
- Baby Sitter class or general CPR/First Aid
- Tween library summer reading program
- Play for enjoyment as well as practice any instrument one is playing, sport one is a team member of just for fun

There were eight of us within 12 years growing up, and my folks never ever sent any of us to camp. While we had a home on the water on Cape Cod, you can imagine that we had household responsibilities at various times we (my two sisters and I as were the oldest of then five boys) walked up the beach for swimming lessons, rode our bikes or walked to town for art lessons, went to beach etc. At home on a couple of summer not on the beach, we walked into town for tennis lessons and went to neighborhood pool - which back then was a rarity. The key is a balance between chores, personal pursuits, open time, and time with Mom planning and/or driving.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to be sure they get exercise, how about signing up for a 5k race for August or September? Then the three of you can "train" together 3-4 mornings a week, preferably early (8 am), before it gets too hot outside.

There are lots of good iPhone apps you can use to structure your "training". The couch-to-5k apps are perfect for kids (and out of shape parents like me!) It's all planned out, using a mix of running and walking intervals. Starts VERY easy and builds slowly. Eventually, you find yourself running 30-45 minute stretches at a time without walking breaks. It's fantastic!

We've found that running is a great family activity. And your kids are certainly not too young. Our DD loves running -- she started with quarter, half and mile-long kids' "fun runs" and then ran her first 5k at age 6. She ran it with a friend and absolutely loved it. Amazing for her confidence, too.

Is distance running ok for young joints, etc?

Our pediatrician said it's fine. Just ramp up gradually and don't focus on (or push for) speed.

This is why the couch-to-5k approach is helpful. It's more walking than running in the beginning. And by the end, it's 30-40 minutes of running, tops.

Also, DD's "practice" runs are less than a 5k distance. But the half mile she regularly runs in gym class is now a breeze!

Anonymous wrote:If you want to be sure they get exercise, how about signing up for a 5k race for August or September? Then the three of you can "train" together 3-4 mornings a week, preferably early (8 am), before it gets too hot outside.

There are lots of good iPhone apps you can use to structure your "training". The couch-to-5k apps are perfect for kids (and out of shape parents like me!) It's all planned out, using a mix of running and walking intervals. Starts VERY easy and builds slowly. Eventually, you find yourself running 30-45 minute stretches at a time without walking breaks. It's fantastic!

We've found that running is a great family activity. And your kids are certainly not too young. Our DD loves running -- she started with quarter, half and mile-long kids' "fun runs" and then ran her first 5k at age 6. She ran it with a friend and absolutely loved it. Amazing for her confidence, too.

Is distance running ok for young joints, etc?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, your kids are 12 and 10 and not good swimmers? I would think about some swimming lessons. They should really be strong swimmers by that age, just for safety reasons.

Yes, I know. It's embarrassing. It's not that we didn't try, though. We did lessons in the summers for at least 3-4 different summers, starting at age 2. They just were super resistant and afraid. You can't force a kid to swim. We need to start lessons and just keep doing them even beyond the summer if needed, though that gets so expensive. Can anyone recommend a swim teacher who can make the lessons fun or at least tolerable for fearful older kids? I'm resigned to needing private lessons, since the group lessons don't seem to work. My kids can be very stubborn.

Private instruction is what finally worked for us. Our instructor just retired, but try to find someone who clicks with your kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, your kids are 12 and 10 and not good swimmers? I would think about some swimming lessons. They should really be strong swimmers by that age, just for safety reasons.

Yes, I know. It's embarrassing. It's not that we didn't try, though. We did lessons in the summers for at least 3-4 different summers, starting at age 2. They just were super resistant and afraid. You can't force a kid to swim. We need to start lessons and just keep doing them even beyond the summer if needed, though that gets so expensive. Can anyone recommend a swim teacher who can make the lessons fun or at least tolerable for fearful older kids? I'm resigned to needing private lessons, since the group lessons don't seem to work. My kids can be very stubborn.

There will be recommendations on the SN forum listing swim teachers who will be patient with kids. (Your kids don't have to be SN, just someone who will coach them and not make them more resistant/fearful.)

Oh, thank you. That's a great idea. One of my children does seem really rigid around the concept, and I can see someone used to working with special needs kids being a good fit.

Thank you to other pps too. I have found many suggestions encouraging and helpful. Except for the people who don't give any detail around the whole "I let my kids enjoy their summer" thing. What I am trying to do here is ensure my kids enjoy the summer! (despite having to take swimming lessons )

Don't listen to them. They lack imagination.