Kids | Heading Off Summer Boredom

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Heading Off Summer Boredom
by Dr. Caron B. Goode

Summer is a refreshing and wonderful time. School is out and frantic schedules blur into unstructured free time. For a while, this lack of routine is very relaxing. Then the relaxation gives way to boredom, and parents start wondering what in the world they are going to do with their kids all summer!

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When my daughter was young, we spent the summer doing typical things. We went on vacation and joined the summer reading program at our local library. She invited friends over and attended several day camps. Even with what seemed to me to be a steady flow of activity, she would complain of being bored.

These complaints made me realize that my child was used to structured days. Not that I had any interest in putting her or myself on a strict summer schedule. But, having a couple of hours everyday set aside for a particular activity was appealing. From this idea, the After Lunch Hour was born.

The After Lunch Hour was a perfect way to break up long summer days. Every week, I would plan five activities, one for each day. These activities would require an hour to an hour and a half to complete, and we would start after lunch. It was the perfect time. This left the mornings open to sleep in or lounge around. It also left our afternoons free for the pool and day trips.

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About the Author:
Dr. Caron B. Goode is the founder of the Academy for Coaching Parents International, a training and certification program for parent coaches. In addition to duties with the academy, Goode is the founding editor of the website Inspired Parent, and the author of ten books, the most recent of which is Nurture Your Child's Gift. For more information on The Academy for Coaching Parents International or to sign up for academy announcements, visit www.acpi.biz .

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