Some suggestions on kicking the summertime blues

Remember way back in May, when the promise of summer was warming the air. We knew it wasn’t going to be long before June rolled around bringing with it summer.

There is something about summer that brings you back to being a kid, no matter how old you are. Maybe it’s the warm breezes or the feeling of freedom that comes with summer, but it holds the allure of adventure and excitement. I think it is true for all kids. The start of summer is rivaled in anticipation only by Christmas and birthdays.

But by the time July rolls around parents may start to hear those dreaded words … “I’m bored.” Whether your kids have special needs or not, these words can strike fear into a parent looking at weeks of summer vacation still ahead of them. So just how do you kick the summertime blues?

Think about what you and your child need to get through the summer. Do they need structure or free play? Do they need more or less stimulation? Is routine and structure important? Would you prefer they have peer interaction or one-on-one interaction? Will respite for you be a consideration? What are your time and monetary considerations?

Once you have an idea of what type of activities you are looking for, you can begin to kick those blues with some good old summertime fun in the yard. Share those retro games from your past with a game day including red light/green light or duck, duck, goose. Embrace messy play with finger paint or shaving cream while it can be done outside with minimal cleanup. Turn on the sprinkler and play catch in the water.

If you prefer indoors, have a movie day. Pop some popcorn together and snuggle up for a movie. Take a tour of the local museums. While some of the big museums can be overwhelming, there are an abundance of more intimate museums in the suburbs. Check with your local libraries about story hour. See if your community has a “summer passport” program. Often they will have discounts for many local attractions.

Take advantage of the weather and the great outdoors. Explore the many bike paths, parks, zoos, and nature areas that are available and at their best during the summer months. The entire family can keep fit, spend time together, and make it as educational or relaxing as you want.

If peer interactions or respite are high on your list, check with your local park district or special recreation associations for camps and sports activities. Both have a wide range of options for all ages and interests. You may be able to choose from a favorite activity or choose to explore a new one. Special recreation associations may also have weekend or weeklong trips available. This affords an opportunity for growth and independence and can definitely provide excitement for them while make available longer respite for you.

So while there is still a great deal of summer ahead of us, make the most of it with a little thought and research. You might just be surprised how fast you can turn those boredom blues into a summer of fun for both of you!

Join the conversation at our blog at www.wdsra.com. Parents are encouraged to speak directly to other parents, share thoughts, offer personal stories, and educate each other on topics that affect them in their everyday life.

Ÿ Sherry Manschot is the marketing/public relations manager at Western DuPage Special Recreation Association. She leads a parent network of special needs families at WDSRA. Manschot can be contacted at sherrym@wdsra.com. More information about WDSRA can be found at wdsra.com.