Another school year has come to an end, but that does not mean that a family schedule is impossible. Yes, it will be important to give your kids some down time in between their ball practices or swimming lessons. But do make an effort to limit screen time either in front of the TV or any of the other electronic devices that many children are literally glued to.
A Facebook friend of mine posted a neat suggestion for families titled, “School Holiday Rules.” I shared the information with a foster parent group earlier this week. While it does require a parent to help enforce the rules, I love the concept. So here goes with some suggested “School Holiday Rules.”
Children may have time on the Ipad or TV, so long as all of the following jobs have been completed BEFORE they turn on the screen:
• Make your bed
• Eat breakfast (the most important meal of the day)
• Get dressed
• Brush teeth
• Brush hair
• 20 minutes of reading
• 20 minutes of writing or coloring
• Clean up one room (TV room or bedroom)
• Play outside for 30 minutes
• Make or built something creative (Lego, craft, sand, etc.)
• Help someone in the family (Ask if there is a job you can do, if you cannot think of something yourself)
The way I have it figured, a child who completes this list will have spent at least three and a half hours in productive and perhaps creative activity. Children may find that the books they are reading are so enticing that they can’t put them down, or that their outdoor activity is great fun.
It takes me back to my own childhood when our summer schedule looked quite similar. But it would have included at least one hour of work in the garden and when I was old enough a three-hour block to mow the grass when needed. Of course, there were 4-H projects to work on and occasionally driving the tractor to pick up hay bales.
I printed the “School Holiday Rules” on hot pink paper so they will really stand out on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror. If you decide to adopt these rules in your household let me know how it goes. And have a great summer!
Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science agent with K-State Research and Extension – Barton County. Contact her at 620-793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.
