When I first started working at home, my children stayed home with me during the summer months. I had to find a balance between providing them with fun activities and meeting my income goals. As my business grew, so did the challenge to keep the kids entertained while also exposing them to educationally stimulating activities. Four kids just sitting around at home with nothing to do is a recipe for disaster in my house.
This year I managed to set aside a little something so that all the kids can attend a summer enrichment program. We decided to choose the half day option to both save money and allow time for us to enjoy some summer fun together as a family.
There are so many options available for busy parents and bored kids:
Check with your local masjid
When we lived in Atlanta, there were several different masjids in the surrounding area providing well-rounded, enrichment programs that including Arabic and Qur’an/Islamic studies. Prices varied and it was a quality alternative to the many other programs offered in the area.
Check with your child’s school
Near the end of the school year, every school my children have attended has passed along information about summer camp/enrichment programs available. Some programs give parents the option of signing up for full days, half days or drop in attendance. You may also check out the website for your town’s school system to see if a list of programs is available.
Check out a college upward bound program
If you have kids approaching their junior or senior year of high school, you can enroll them in an upward bound program. This is a program specifically designed for college bound high school students that allows them to experience college life on a trial run basis. Numerous colleges across the U.S., including several Ivy League schools like Cornell and Harvard, offer these programs. The students live away from home on campus with other high school students in a supervised environment and take part in customized programs, college prep seminars and other activities. Students can earn anywhere from three to eight college credits participating in this program.
Hire a “mother’s helper” for in-house sitting
If you have younger children, you could hire a high school or college-aged student to sit in your home as a mother’s helper while you work. You and your children would probably feel more comfortable hiring someone you know, so ask friends who have older children home for the summer, or even consider asking around your masjid. You can negotiate hours, days of availability, tasks and any special activities you want your helper to do with the kids.
What plans have you made for your kids this summer?
