A Florida Mom Recommends Giving Kids Their Freedom
"Our children are 12 and 13. My husband and I work Monday through Friday. Our children are given a list of chores, including reading one hour per day and practicing their musical instruments for one hour per day. As long as everything is done by the time we arrive home at 6:30, they are free to do as they please, within reason. They are not allowed to bike ride while we are not home, but then again, living in Florida in the summer in 95 degree heat, they don't need to be riding bikes until later in the day after the sun goes down."
"We have found that the freedom allows them to sleep in if they choose to do so. After the first few days, by noon, they are all done with chores, reading and practicing. They find extra jobs to do around the house for additional allowance money. It is vacation after all, and just like parents, when we are on vacation, we don't want to be 'working' all the time. We like to sleep in and just be lazy. But come the school year, the freedom is gone! This has worked well for us for two years now."
A Mom in Georgia Thinks Otherwise
"It is definitely a parent's job to find quality educational summer activities for their children. Most children, of course, would succumb to a wasted summer of eating and sleeping if allowed. That's a temptation too great for most to resist.
"Research has shown that children who read during the summer do better upon returning to school because they've kept their minds active. I'm not saying kids shouldn't be allowed to sleep late or take part in lots of extracurricular activities during the summer. But I do believe parents should guide them in participating in activities that will also keep their minds active. My children are 5, 10, and 13 years old. I am a 10-year veteran teacher and mom. This summer my children will participate in the local library's reading program, swimming lessons and sewing lessons. In addition, they have season passes to Six Flags, will enjoy bowling and other extracurricular activities throughout the summer. When summer is over they will be able to look back at accomplishments they have attained over the course of those short weeks of vacation. In addition, they will return to school refreshed and well rested because I've allowed enough flexibility in our schedules for late wake-ups during summer in spite of all the planned activities."
