Summer vacation starts tomorrow for my girls (ages 11, 9, and 6). I am looking forward to having more time with them (and hopefully sleeping in a little longer), and they’re looking forward to the freedom from school, homework, and tight schedules. We generally try not to schedule too many activities in the summer so we are able to enjoy some downtime and allow for spontaneity.
Without schedules, I am concerned about them spending too much time in front of a screen. To minimize these concerns, I set a few rules and went over them with the girls last night at dinner. They agreed the rules were all fair, so we’ll see how it goes. Here are our rules:
1. Two-hour maximum television time each day (this should allow for one movie)
2. One-hour maximum tablet/computer time each day.
I will make exceptions as necessary. They may also earn additional time in 20-minute increments – I haven’t figured out the details of that yet.
3. No screen time until the following are done:
- Eat Breakfast
- Brush Teeth
- Brush Hair
- Get Dressed
- Help with Chores
- The living room (where they watch TV) is picked up
As an advocate for wellness, I think it is important that they spend time doing the following activities each day, for a minimum of 15 minutes per activity (of course more would be better, but I’ll take 15 minutes to start):
- Create something (write, draw, paint, crafts, etc.) I’m hoping to discover lots of fun summer crafts that I can share on here.
- Read
- Play outside
- Exercise
- Help mom (with whatever I need help with that day)
- Chores
I have put together a booklet (free PDF download) with a page for each day of summer vacation. It is a daily calendar/to-do list that doubles as a journal for each of them. My girls love checklists, so I’m hoping this will work out for us.
My intentions are good, but things are always easier said than done. Wish me luck! 🙂
If your kids enjoy checklist as well, click here to download the Summer Vacation Organizer PDF. When printing, make sure to choose the booklet option in order to save paper (otherwise it will be 74 pages!)
Happy Summer!! 🙂
