Education

8 Ways To Occupy Your Teens This Summer

June 18, 2020

Are you the parent of a teenager? Are you worried about how to keep your teen occupied this summer, even during a pandemic? If you are, then this post is just for you! Keep reading for answers to these questions and more.

The year 2020 has been one like no other. Many homes and families are experiencing frustration from the pressures of job losses, government closures, COVID-19 cases, protests and riots. In addition, both parents and students are dealing with the stress of school closures. In light of these immense challenges families can benefit from using this summer to connect and heal with their teens. As an educator with over 14 years of experience, I have composed a guide (inclusive of resources) to safely keep your teen productive this summer.

1. Create A Schedule

One way to get your teen involved in something new is to start by having conversations with them. Now that the summer has officially kicked off, be sure to ask your teen about his or her desires before making any concrete plans. Having deliberate and intentional conversations regarding the upcoming summer months will allow your child to take ownership and accountability for their summer commitments. A teen who is incorporated in the planning process is more likely to be passionate about the activities planned and even more likely to remain committed to them. This is key, especially when you, as the parent, are the one dropping the coins on said activities. There’s nothing worse than paying a pretty penny for dance studio sessions only to learn that your daughter hates dance lessons and wants to quit before the grand finalé!

2. Summer Camps

There are a number of local summer camps that are available to teenaged students. Summer camps foster social skills and interpersonal relationships. They are helpful in aiding your teen with exploring new skills and are great at improving the skills they already possess. There are summer camps centered around a plethora of themes including: athletic, academic, artistic, culinary, and even religious summer programs. Reaching out to your teens local school advisors, community churches, and even your community newspaper will point you in the right direction.

Here are resources to help you find the right summer camp for your teen:

3. College Tours

Touring local colleges and universities are exciting summer activities for the teen interested in post-secondary education. It can also benefit the teen who does not have college on his or her radar, because it offers a first-hand-view of college life. When you think of college tours, you may automatically assume this is an expensive activity! Fortunately, this is far from true. A family can plan to tour several colleges within their local district. Although many high schools offer students an opportunity to take a college tour, the lesson could be even more powerful if done together as a family.

And parents, don’t cheat your child out of realistic opportunities. Be sure to consider non-college related tours as well. Think of the many booming trade industries that do not require a college degree, yet produce very lucrative outcomes ¾  often times immediately upon completion. Trust me, from my experience working with thousands of teens over a span of 14 years, there are so many alternatives to the  traditional college pathway. In the course of a few months or a year your child could walk away with newly acquired skills and a salary comparable to yours (or even higher) and they wouldn’t have tons of student loan debt to repay either!

A family-based summer college tour could evoke impactful conversations about planning for the future between you and your maturing teen. The best part is that you can organize the tours by visiting a different school campus over the course of the summer weekends, and you won’t have to pack your luggage or buy a plane ticket to do it!

Here are examples of local post-secondary programs to visit:

  • Colleges & Universities
  • Culinary & Arts Schools
  • Career Academies & Technical Centers
    • ex. Medical Assistant, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician, Police Academy, Audio/Visual Technology…
  • License & Certificate Programs
    • ex. Barber, Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Tattoo Artist, Message Therapist…
  • Trade Schools
    • ex. Mechanical, Automotive, Marine, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Welding…

4. Summer Jobs

A part-time summer job is an excellent way for your teen to learn skills including responsibility, punctuality, and the value of currency. A self-sufficient teen will be better prepared to make the transition into college and into adult-hood. You can help your teen find a summer job by working with them to create or improve their resumé and by exploring local businesses together. Remember parents, not all job opportunities pay monetarily, consider summer internships that may be beneficial to your almost bound-for-college teen. It is also wise to encourage your teen to get certified in a field that will solidify a summer job for consecutive years, such as: the lifeguard and CPR certifications. For the teen with the entrepreneurial gift, encourage him or her to create their own business and set their own rates and work-hours.

Here are examples of entrepreneurial part-time jobs for teens:

  • Academic Tutor
  • Car Washer
  • Dog Walker
  • Hair-braider, Rookie Barber, M.U.A. (makeup artist)
  • Sitter (baby, dog, or the elderly)
  • Yard Worker

5. Volunteering

There are many opportunities for teens to give back to their local communities. The act of volunteering builds compassion, empathy and the spirit of service within teens, who are intrinsically hard-wired to focus on their own personal struggles. Beyond building character, volunteering this summer will benefit your teen, who is required to earn a specific number of “community service hours” as a high school graduation requirement. If your teen is unaware of the required service hours needed, then a quick phone call to his or her school’s graduation office or even a simple visit to your teens school-based web portal should do the trick.

Here are a few local businesses where your teen can earn volunteer hours:

  • Animal Rescue Shelters
  • Churches
  • Clinics & Hospitals
  • Food Banks
  • Homeless Shelters
  • Libraries
  • Parks & Recreations
  • Retirement Homes
  • Summer Camps
  • Youth Clubs
  • Other opportunities include: beach cleanups, marathons and organized runs, as well as volunteering for the elections office (during voting or campaign season).

6. Family Vacations

The thought of traveling right now may make you cringe with fear due to the current COVID-19 pandemic we are very much still facing. Luckily, families could use this summer to reconnect, strengthen bonds and manifest a better tomorrow ¾  and planning a creative family vacation is just the way to do it! Think outside the box and schedule a few fun, yet inexpensive ways, to vacation as a family…in other words think “plan a staycation with my teen.” Regardless of what you come up with keep in mind that communicating and bonding with your teen should be your centralized focus. Game nights, exploring new cooking recipes, beach days, movie nights, and weekend outings are all great ways to spark conversation and ensure the mental health and wellness of you and your teen are at an optimal state. Get creative on this one!

7. Workout

It seems fitness is a hot trend among Gen Z and the Millennials. It is almost impossible to scroll through your feeds without seeing another social media celebrity posting their home workout routines and daily doses of “fitness inspo.” With every other person claiming to be the next fitness guru, embarking on a new health journey is simply a click and a scroll away! Use this summer to seize the opportunity to build an exercise regimen for your teen, and it won’t hurt for you to join along with them. Developing healthy habits early in life will lead to positive self-esteem, decreased health risks, a prolonged life, as well as lay a foundation for the importance and necessity of “self-care.” The cherry on top is exercising is a huge stress reliever…and right now our nation is under major stress!

There’s no need for me to list resources on this one. Just scroll through your social media platforms for fitness inspiration and home workouts. You can start by following my IG page @sipwithsophie (See what I just did there?). LOL!

8. Encourage Reading

Reading is an excellent way for your teen to fight summer boredom. Not only is reading fundamental for improving critical skills such as fluency, comprehension, writing and vocabulary but it helps them to better understand and process more complex ideas. Teens who pleasure read on their own develop stronger social skills and become kinder, more empathic beings. They are better able to clarify career goals and comprehend the consequences of risky behavior.

Despite all the digital distractions, here are ways to encourage your teen to read:

  • Connect reading to technology. Encourage reading digital print.
  • Create a “culture of reading” at home.
  • Don’t nitpick, afford your teen sovereignty in their reading choices (as long as it is age appropriate).

May You And Your Teen Stay Safe This Summer!

Sincerely,

XOXO Sophie

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