Unleashing Creativity: The Benefits of Avoiding Summer Overscheduling for Kids

Summer is upon us and as parents, we feel like it's our full-time job to create memorable summers for ourselves and our kids. So we research, we discuss, we plan, we schedule. But do we overschedule? Since many parents have full-time jobs, we feel the need to occupy our kids' days to free up our busy schedules. We also tend to overcompensate for our lackluster summer breaks growing up and try to pack in as much as possible. We fill the summer with camps, sports, volunteering, vacations, playdates, part-time work, music lessons, art lessons, academics, internships, museums, day trips, and theme parks. Then we remember that they have summer reading and projects due for the upcoming school year.

Is it all too much?

The reasons that we overschedule

As parents, we overschedule our kids due to various reasons and motivations. Here are some factors that can contribute to this:

Filling the Void: Parents may feel the need to fill their children's summer break with structured activities to ensure they remain engaged, stimulated, and occupied. We might worry that unstructured free time could lead to boredom or wasted opportunities for learning and development.

Academic Pressure: Some parents believe that continuous academic engagement during the summer break is crucial for their children's educational success. 

Competitive Mindset: In highly competitive environments, parents may feel the pressure to ensure their kids excel in multiple areas. It is ok to be competitive but with a balance.

Fear of Missing Out: Parents might fear that their children will miss out on important opportunities or experiences if they don't participate in a wide range of activities. This fear can be fueled by societal expectations, comparisons with other children, or a desire to provide their children with diverse experiences.

Parental Aspirations: Some parents project their own unfulfilled dreams or aspirations onto their children, pushing them to participate in activities that the parents themselves wished they had pursued. They may see summer break as a chance for their children to excel in areas they are passionate about or to explore various interests.

Busy Lifestyles: In today's fast-paced world, parents often lead busy lives themselves, juggling multiple responsibilities and commitments. Overscheduling their children may be an unintentional consequence of trying to manage their own schedules while ensuring their kids are engaged in activities.

Overwhelming kids with a packed schedule can result in increased stress, fatigue, and limited time for relaxation, creativity, and unstructured play. It can also hinder their ability to develop essential life skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and independent thinking. Allowing for downtime and free play is essential for their overall well-being and development.

Downtime is not using technology

Growing up, our summers did not include Youtube, Snapchat, BeReal, TikTok, and gaming platforms. Long gone are the days of Saturday morning cartoons to occupy the kids. Today, our children have unlimited access to technology and it is easy to overuse the time. Downtime should be outdoor exploration which is crucial for physical development, creativity, and connection with nature.

How to involve your kids with summer planning

• Family Discussion: Sit down as a family and discuss summer break plans openly.
• Brainstorming: Engage your kids in a brainstorming session where they can come up with ideas for summer activities.
• Goal Setting: Ask them what they would like to achieve or learn during that time. 
• Activity Research: Encourage your kids to research and explore different activities, programs, or camps that align with their interests. 
• Summer Calendar: Create a summer calendar where everyone in the family can input their desired activities and commitments. 
• Prioritization and Compromise: Teach your kids the importance of prioritization and compromise. 
• Responsibility and Ownership: Assign age-appropriate responsibilities to your kids for summer activities. 
• Evaluation and Reflection: Regularly check in with your kids throughout the summer break to evaluate how things are going. 

Remember, involving your kids in the summer break scheduling not only gives them a sense of autonomy and involvement but also fosters their decision-making skills and teaches them to manage their time effectively. It's an opportunity to create meaningful family experiences and memories while honoring their interests and preferences. 

Start by scheduling a family meeting and create a summer schedule. Here is the one our family uses.