Many parents start to think about the summer months in the early spring and those with middle school students struggle with what to do with them over the summer. Many of these kids are 11, 12 and even 13 years old. They may be too old for standard daycare, but perhaps not old enough to stay home alone. At least, the parents don’t think they are. They can’t drive yet, so they are limited in where they can go and what activities they may be able to participate in. Many would be happy to sit and watch TV or play on the computer all day, but most parents want more for their kids than that. Here are five ideas on possible summer options for this age range of child.
Summer camp
There are a huge variety of summer camps available across the nation. Some require sleeping over while others are strictly day camps. The YMCA has both kinds that are designed specifically for this age group. Check local newspapers, parenting magazines and community education for lists of additional local camps. Some school districts may also sponsor summer activities for their students. Many of these camps are approximately the same price as a full day of daycare at a center and so may be quite affordable for a family that has only recently stopped paying that bill.
Older children can babysit or set up businesses
If the child is 12 or above they may be old enough to babysit or start their own business. If they are interested in earning a little money over the summer, they can check into providing childcare for another parent in the neighborhood who has kids off for summer. Maybe there is a stay-at-home parent who could really use some help during the summer to keep her kids busy and would pay your child for the help.
Even if the kids only provide these services two or three days a week, that is two or three days they aren’t sitting around the house bored. Perhaps they don’t want to babysit, but enjoy gardening and being outdoors. They can start their own lawn mowing business or perhaps a pet care business. Determine any strong interests they have and see if it can be turned into a business for the summer.
Have them volunteer
There are a lot of places that need volunteers this age to work with younger kids or simply help out. Check with local park and recreation services, animal shelters, zoos, libraries, community education, churches or senior centers. If the child has a passion for a particular area check with local businesses that work in that area to see if they need some help for the summer. There may even be a need right in your neighborhood. Is there a senior citizen or someone who is recovering from an injury who really needs some help with yard work, housecleaning or other chores that require physical labor? Think creatively and an option that you had not considered may appear.
Get a part time babysitter
Kids this age don’t need someone to watch over them all the time, but having a college kid with a driver's license appear each afternoon to drive them to swimming lessons, soccer practice or any of the other summer activities can provide some flexibility and still be affordable. A college student will still have the energy to keep up with this age and be able to interact as more of a mentor than babysitter.
Form a coop with others who have children the same age
Sign the kids up for the same programs and activities throughout the summer and take turns with the transportation. Offer to share the expense of a babysitter that can take care of all the kids one or two days a week.
These are just a few suggestions for keeping tweens busy over the summer months. If they are mature enough to stay home it is a good idea to have some basic rules and perhaps even a to-do list each day. Have them check in once or twice a day if you are concerned or uncomfortable leaving them alone. Sometimes the kids are ready long before the parents are willing to admit it.
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