There’s been a post popping up on various internet sites lately: “10 Ways to Give Your Kid a 1970’s Kind of Summer” (by Melissa L. Fenton courtesy of www.scarymommy.com).
The author suggests that, rather than feeling pressured to cram our kids’ summers full of non-stop, planned activities that will insure their time away from school isn’t wasted, we take our cues from a simpler time, that of the ’70s.
Here’s her list. For the full article visit http://www.scarymommy.com/10-ways-to-give-your-kid-a-1970s-kind-of-summer/.
- Make them play outside all day.
- Let them watch TV.
- Eat whatever they want and/or whatever they can find.
- Send them to the movies for the entire day.
- Spend three nights in a row at your best friend’s house.
- Make stuff, like from stuff you find.
- Have them put on a talent show.
- Play “Simon” until you want to throw it against the wall.
- Build a fort in the backyard.
- Finally, learn to find the amazing in the extraordinary.
Clearly the article is a little “tongue in cheek,” but it makes some very valid points. I think we often lose sight of the simple things that made us so happy when we were children, things that our children could benefit from … if we can just pull them away from their smartphones/iPads/video games!
When I was a kid, summer was all about the things on this list. My grandparents’ home was on the water on the Sunshine Coast, and we spent almost every minute outside: swimming, playing on the beach, making up games, putting on plays, going into town for ice cream, watching endless episodes of The Brady Bunch and The Price is Right … the list goes on and on. Those were the best times: simple, sun- and family-filled days that provided me with some of my best memories.
All that being said, a few planned activities can certainly supply a nice balance to a summer of debauchery! Panorama Recreation Centre’s Play in the Park program is happening every weekday evening (until August 29th) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at various parks throughout the Saanich Peninsula. For more information visit www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. For lots of other summer activities happening locally, see our What’s Happening This Summer Guide for Kids and Teens: http://issuu.com/seasidetimes/docs/seaside0514forweb/28.
