Maximizing Summer – See. Perceive. Act.

Summer offers opportunity, former procrastinators.  I’m a big proponent of time to do nothing.  However, summer gives the chance to do things that are difficult to include during the school year.  It also gives the chance to try things without a large commitment.

Maximize summer by using it to equip children to function well as independent young adults.  Equipping with life skills can and should often start early. This builds confident and capable young people.  If you lack skills, ask someone else to run a short tutorial for you and the kids – a friend or someone you’ve hired in the past.  People like to share what they know.  Bake them cookies and write thank you’s.  Yes, there’s Youtube, but having someone you can interact with and turn to as a resource is valuable. Each child compiles a notebook if you choose. 

Here’s a list of basic skills you might consider for girls and boys alike: (With gratitude to my dad who was good at equipping us.  Happy Father’s Day!)

• Wash a car, change a tire and oil.
• Basic electrical and plumbing knowledge.  A teen might apprentice for the summer.
• Sew on a button and hem a pair of pants.
• Learn CPR.
• Make and practice a fire escape plan.  Know how to use fire safety equipment you have or acquire.
• Painting.  Stain the fence?
• Carpentry basics.  Build a corn hole game or book case.
• Cut the grass, maintain the mower and flower beds
• Basics of family finances, what has to be paid monthly out of income (you might not share income), how much tv costs, cell phones, groceries, a restaurant meal.
• Create a “go bag” for emergencies.  An older child can research and be in charge.  Ready.gov
• Run a summer business – lemonade stand, dog walking.  Learn about the economics of business, city ordinances, etc.
• Do your own laundry (then continue through the year).
• Cook two simple meals, grocery list, shop  (can continue through the year as a monthly or weekly responsibility).
• Girls can learn childcare by being a mother’s helper for a friend.
• Get to know your town.  Visit city council meetings, attend county court to observe procedures and judgements.
• Offer your skills to families in your church or neighborhood.  A young girl I know is crazy about origami and crochet because of what she learned from an older friend.

Other ideas:

• Let each family member choose something you’ll do while off from school.  Set parameters to keep it doable.  (Day trips, not Europe – though bigger suggestions could be for the future.)
• If someone’s headed on a mission trip, everybody learn about that region or country.  Learn some phrases in that language.
• Try a free trial for audio books or check them out at the library.
• Learn two new games.
• Connect with a distant relative.
• Get acquainted with a neighbor (continue through the year).
• Use two minutes at breakfast or dinner to memorize scripture or hymns.
• Declutter what takes a while.

Have a great summer!

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