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Beating the Mid-Summer Blues
Rated by 1 member
Somewhere around mid-July, summer suddenly falls into the "too much of a good thing" category and skids to an abrupt "I'm-sooo-bored" halt. The signs that you've arrived at the summer-doldrum zone are as blazing as the heat itself -- children troll about sullenly and aimlessly, bickering replaces giggling, and little fingers (accompanied by endless demands) tug constantly at your shirt.
In the past, our family has experienced a frightful bout of these mid-summer blahs. So, several hot and bothered summers later, I've adopted techniques to avoid this seasonal meltdown.
Since we don't typically have much of a summer camp budget, and we have three kids of such varied ages (10, 8, and 1), we've scoured every resource we could find for free or inexpensive summer activities that help make a fun, relaxing and memorable summer for our family.
Member Comments On…
Beating the Mid-Summer Blues
One of the cutest sources of summer time inspiration I've seen is the book, "100 Places to See Before You're 12!" Listing places like a lighthouse or working farm, every page has another great idea. I wrote about using this book and other suggestions to give your summer a "theme" on my blog, Busy Bee Lifestyle! Susan
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We are pretty much home bodies during the summer. I've shared that we take off July and August from homeschooling, the children are usually pretty happy just being able to play with what they have, outside. Old stand bys that we pull out for summer are bubbles, sidewalk chalk, reading hour (that is for when they are all bored, or I need to redirect their enerrgy), a medium sized wading/swimming pool, of course bike riding and sprinkler. I always look for something new to add this year we added a slip'n'slide. We do plan more playdates with friends too, it is mostly about making time for things we don't always get to do during school season. I try to have a summer project planned for myself as well, like a big scrapbook or sewing project.
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Around our area Fridays are the WORST days for trips to museums, water parks, etc... as every Friday is "fieldtrip" day for all the YMCA camps and other child care facilities. We try to go midweek on trips when these places will be less crowded. Also, don't forget to check out your local library for a summer reading program. Not only will it keep your child reading, but around here the kids earn prizes that can include free tickets to the zoo, sporting events and even ice cream coupons. All free, and available even to the tiniest readers.
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I went to craft stores at the beginning of summer and purchased $1 projects. Sidewalk chalk goes over really well and last awhile. Scavenger hunts. In my area our local theaters (AMC and Regal) offer weekly "free" or $1 movies once or twice a week. AMC offers $5 movies every Saturday and Sunday before Noon (even on those just released!). Our local Y has classes that you can sign up for reasonably priced that meet once or twice a week. We have a family membership to the Philadelphia Zoo (which includes the treehouse (members only) where he can slide, climb, etc., ride the swan boats, zoo balloon, horse and camel rides, children's zoo, train ride., etc. He never gets bored with the zoo and will happily go once a week (though he's only 5). For the first time, I sent my son to Bible camp. It was an entire week of 9-12am. He made projects, learned songs, danced...he loved it so much that he asked to be able to go on Sundays.
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Our school district also comes up with some WONDERFUL, CREATIVE summer school classes. My 9-year old daughter can't wait to get the summer school list to see what fun classes she can sign up for each summer. Usually the classes are free - or there's a small, nominal fee for materials. This summer she's learning Spanish and taking a jewelry class. She loves it!
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