BAY CITY, Mich. -- In the words of Alice Cooper, "school's out for summer!". We're guessing he was only that excited about it because he wasn't a parent yet. While it's certainly great to have the kids back home for summer vacation, it can get stressful, especially given the energy level of young children. With older kids, you run the risk of worrying yourself to death about what they're up to when they're out and about with their friends.
Never fear, moms and dads. Graff Bay City is here with some tips to stay calm as you brave these next 104 days. We give you our Summer Vacation Survival Guide!
1. ESTABLISH CHECK-IN TIMES
If you have a teenager, chances are most of their summer vacation will be spent living it up with friends. Nevertheless, you're prone to worrying. The good news is, like most kids, they're probably attached at the hip to their phone. Establish times they need to send you a quick text to let you know where they are, what they're doing, and who they're with before they leave the house. This is a good way to maintain your sanity, while also reinforcing responsibility on their part and not seeming overbearing on yours!
2. RESTOCK YOUR HOME FIRST AID KIT
While we hope you never have to use it, a home first aid kit offers peace of mind on top of a means to take care of those scrapes and cuts that come with summer playtimes. In order for it to do its job, you need to make sure it's properly stocked. Your standard bandages, antibiotic ointment, and instant ice packs are all great for parents. Additionally, you can assemble an "on-the-go" first aid kit for trips to the park or beach.
3. HANDLING SIBLING FIGHTS
If you're the parent of siblings, you're no stranger to bickering. During summer vacation, sibling fights can become more common due to being in the same space more often. One way to combat this is to have each child play by themselves for about a half hour a day, this will make them appreciate each other's company when they're together, and be sure to praise them for not fighting. If your kids are older, leave them to it unless they're in danger of doing serious harm, as one of the main reasons siblings argue is to get a parent's attention.
4. HANDLING BOREDOM
Kids are so used to having their days structured for them, which is why the freedom of summer vacation is so appealing. Like most novel things, however, the excitement quickly wears off, and they're left without a clue of what to do with themselves. Try as you might, anything you suggest is met with "I'm bored" five minutes later.
Here's a solution to both quell the complaints, as well as encourage kids to think for themselves: the boredom jar. Write a bunch of activities on slips of paper, then put them in a jar. The next time you hear "I'm bored," direct them to the jar and have them select an activity slip at random. You could even let them submit their own suggestions to the jar (per your safety review, of course).
5. HELP THEM FIND A PART-TIME JOB
For parents of teens, helping them find a part-time job over the summer can be very rewarding. Not only will it help instill a sense of maturity, but it will also serve as a source of independence and pride for them as they'll be earning their own money to spend on activities with friends and things they want.
6. FAMILY ROAD TRIPS
If a road trip is on the summer vacation agenda, things can get ugly very quickly when kids are stuck in the car for long hours. Make sure to pack headphones and entertainment devices (make sure the latter are charged. Portable powerbanks are life-savers). You could also play group games to pass the time like "I Spy" or "Alphabet". At some point, however, you'll probably hear it: "Are we there yet?" Turn this into a challenge. Bring along a bag full of their favorite treats. Each time they ask, eat a piece from the bag and tell them they only get what's left when you've reached your destination.
7. PLAY-DATES
Get together with your other parent friends, schedule playdates, and have them take the kids off your hands for an afternoon. In exchange, do the same for them. This will give you some well-deserved "me-time" to unwind, while also satisfying your kids' thirst for activity.
8. TANTRUMS
Parents are all too familiar with temper tantrums, but the thing about summer is that your child's teacher isn't there to share them with you! Summer vacation means you the parent are in the direct line of fire for any and all bouts of cantankerousness from your kid, and sometimes not in the most convenient of places. Don't give in to their demands, and don't make it worse by losing your own temper and yelling at them. Instead, check out these 50 Calm Down Tips to try!
9. CHORES = FUN
With everyone being home more often during the summer, housework starts to pile up. Get the kids involved by having them perform one age-appropriate task a day, and have a reward attached to it that they can "cash-in" once it's completed. For example: taking out the trash = 5 hours of Xbox time, or doing the dishes = a trip to the ice cream shop, etc.
10. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CHILDCARE
This is especially important for working parents. Don't be afraid to take advantage of child care services like day care, summer camp, or even vacation bible school. There are tons of great, state-certified childcare facilities in Michigan, and many of them will work with you if you're on a budget!
Overall, summer vacation is supposed to be a fun break for kids and parents alike. Sometimes it can get stressful, but we hope you've found something in our survival guide to help you through it! Good luck this summer, parents! And may the odds be ever in your favor!
Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.
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