MamasHealth.com Home Summer Health Tips Child Safety Heat Stroke Fireworks Safety Spring Break Summer Break Summer Hair Care Summer Driving Tips Summer Health Tips The Perfect Sunscreen Links Email Mama Bee stings Flea bites Ticks and Mosquitoes	How To Make the Best Out of Summer Break Are you stumped as to what to do with your children during their summer break? Summer is the longest break of the year for children after all so preparing for it and then enjoying it to its fullest can be a tall order, even for the most exuberant of parents. For some kids the promise of summer lends itself to plenty of fun, good times and days of relaxing whereas for other children the long days without the structure of school and homework can mean the potential for getting into mischief. Suggestions for summer break Get a big calendar and keep it in the kitchen where all family members can see it. On the calendar record all summer activities, as well as family vacations, camping trips, summer camp and even the days that are just “hanging out” at home days. This will allow kids to always know what to expect and to plan ahead for the fun they will have on any given day. If plans need to be changed for whatever reason make sure the calendar reflects the change. If summer camp is on the agenda for at least part of the summer break then set up an appropriate time beforehand when parents can bring their kids to visit the camp and get acquainted with some of the staff. Go over all of the rules and expectations with your children in regards to the camp before you send them there. If your children will be staying at home for the summer or will have a babysitter part of the time while you are at work, discuss your expectations with them before the start of summer break. How are they expected to behave when you are at work? What chores do they need to do and how often do they need to be done? Buy your child a notebook so he can write down what he did over his summer breaks, highlighting the parts he enjoyed the most. Visit the public library over the summer break to revel in the thrill and enjoyment of reading. For younger children many libraries have summer programs that include storytelling, plays and puppet shows. Even if you cannot afford to go far fro the summer break taker the time to visit the attractions in your own area. Visit the park, the museum and any other historic sites in your own town. These activities can be both fun and educational. Enjoy swimming at the local pool, the beach or lake if it is nearby. Make sure that children are always supervised and make sure they wear hats and sunscreen when they are outdoors for long periods of time. Plan activities that your child can do alone as well as activities that you can do together such as a scavenger hunt, planting flowers in the garden, a variety of crafts, making a scrapbook, bird watching, painting, writing a letter to grandma, etc. Do your best to maintain a routine for your child as children crave the stability of everyday life, even during their summer break.	Featured Book Advertise on MamasHealth.com Sponsor a contest on MamasHealth.com
	Hot Topics: Domestic Violence: A pre-existing condition? Serena: The wanna be vegetarian Personal Story: How I recovered from my Eating Disorder Mama wants to help: Food Bank programs and shelter assistance Lucy Goes Green: Talk dirty to me How to avoid Swine Flu What no one will tell you about tummy tuck surgery Mama's favorite item of the week: Trees for the Future Foods for weight loss Win a Gift Bag filled with Goodies from Stonyfield
	Information obtained from MamasHealth.com™ should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be inferred as such. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a specific condition. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use. Contact us: PO Box 2170, Pasadena, CA 91102-2170 ©2000 - 2009 MamasHealth, Inc.™. All rights reserved