Summer break from school is rapidly coming up, and since every kid is looking forward to escaping school, sleeping in and watching television and mindless movies, parents may be worried about how to maintain a healthy balance of relaxation and wise disposal of discretionary time in order to make sure that the kids, children don't return to school next term, saying that they did "nothing" all vacation long. Blended families have the extra stress of organizing summer visits with the "other" parent, coordinating parental schedules and ensuring that their brood have structure as well as fun.

Michele Farias, an educator and school counselor for over twenty-five years, addresses this interesting issue in her popular book, "25 Ways to Keep Your Child Safe, Healthy and Successful: Lessons from a School Counselor."

She explains that she is constantly surprised at the number of children who say that they did nothing meaningful for the entire vacation from school. Naturally, school vacation is a chance to relax, unwind from the strain of a demanding school workload and immerse oneself in fun activities that are probably not possible the rest of the year. In any case, Ms Farias asserts that it is good for youngsters to balance summer vacation time with productive activities because it prepares them for a effective school year ahead.

Following are several useful hints in a chapter devoted to summer activities:

Family Time

Summer vacation presents a great chance for increasing family time. This is particularly crucial for children in blended family units who are probably not capable of maintaining close relationships with cousins, grandparents and family friends because of transitioning between households, or because of geographic or logistical challenges. Families can renew emotional ties by traveling together on a road or a camping trip, spending time at the beach or the park, playing board games or enjoying a sport or a similar diversion.

Ms Farias labels these activities "memory builders," because when people reminisce about important and significant childhood memories, they generally involve family activities. Family vacations furnish an ideal opportunity to eat mealtime together, sleep in close proximity, share experiences and strengthen relationships. There are various ways to do this without spending a ton of cash, and Ms Farias urges parents to go to www.puttingfamilyfirst.org for intriguing and reasonable ideas for economical family fun.

A relaxed summer schedule ensures an ideal opportunity to foster family mealtimes which can be impossible during the jam-packed school year. The family dinner can be a particular challenge in blended families who have conflicting schedules, transitioning children and general shortage of time. It is well-documented that family mealtimes increase communication, cooperation and closeness, and reduce the probability that children will engage in drug and alcohol use. Plan to enjoy meals as a family group when the entire family is sitting face to face, engaged with each other and not diverted by cell phones, Blackberries, TV or video games.

No need to break out the best china or having grandma's manners on display. Rather, simplify and have each family member contribute in every way, from planning the menu, doing the shopping, preparing the meal and setting and removing the dishes from the table. Even the youngest members of the family will feel useful, and everyone will feel more connected, more appreciated and an important part of a strong family unit.

Participate in Activities

Summer vacation presents a wonderful opportunity for kids to try new skills and activities that they may not have time to investigate throughout the rest of the school year. Look into signing them up for a camp offered by the local recreation department, or a sports camp put together by local schools or universities. Acquiring a previously unattempted skill or sport, polishing an existing skill or trying something altogether different will be a exciting learning experience that would not occur otherwise. Older children can delve into the world of work, by babysitting, mowing lawns or washing cars, or applying to be an intern in a career field that they may be interested in.

These fascinating entries into the real world provide kids with a small glimpse of what it may entail to be at work on time, stay focused, and learn responsibility away from the influence of parents and teachers. Such a learning experience is invaluable to older children as they get ready for independent living while pursuing higher education.

Reading

Summer reading should be an important ingredient of summer vacation, and Ms Farias recommends a daily goal of no less than 30 minutes each day with no TV, computer, or I Pod in sight. She firmly asserts that reading skills contribute greatly to success in school, and notes that young people who are not good at reading have trouble in all subject areas, even math.

She asks that parents and guardians send the message that reading is valued in the home, and in order to convey this important message to kids, Ms Farias suggests the following: 1) read to younger children daily; 2) discuss with teens what they have been reading and prod them to comment on plot, characters and setting; 3) take kids to the library and help select appropriate books for tots; 4) join book groups; and 5) never fail to give children books as gifts.

About the Author

Sheena Berg, a blended family coach with Blended-Families.com enjoys writing articles and book reviews for their free step-parenting newsletter. For more useful information regarding Michelle Farias, and her book, visit www.blended-families.com/25ways. WEBMASTERS: Use of this article requires the links to be intact.

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