Many of us had planned for our children to head off to camp or start a summer program in the next couple of weeks.  For many parents, the prospect of having no daytime plans for their children for a few months is extremely daunting. As we prepare for the likelihood that they may not get to do that this year, we have a few ideas that can help you and your family stay busy and enjoy the summer months!

1. Get Outdoors- Some state parks have reopened for day use! Many hiking and walking trails such as the Bosque and Elena Gallegos foothill trail are still open. With so much time spent at home some of us are craving any change of scenery. Luckily in New Mexico, we have an expansive natural world to explore.
2. Fun in the Kitchen- Food can be a great comfort in times of uncertainty. Try the “Chopped” challenge! Split your family into teams, find a basket, fill it with random ingredients, and try to cook a masterpiece.
3. Cultivate and Create- Plant a garden with your family’s favorite veggies and flowers! Harvesting a garden will keep everyone engaged and their hands busy. If you don’t have the space or a green thumb, consider creating something else like a family history book and spend time with your kids researching your family’s history. This website has over 250 ideas for hands-on activities for children. 
4. Staycation- Camp out in the back yard or take a mini road trip one of New Mexico’s historical attractions that are only a couple hours away. 
5. Journaling- This summer encourage your child to keep a journal by writing for 10 minutes a day. If they are not one to put pen to paper, have them make a video journal.
6. Let Them Be Bored – Throughout the years with cultural changes and advancement in technology our children are not used to being “bored”, but that does not make boredom a bad thing. Some research suggests boredom can be a good thing for our brain. This article states that when bored, our brain creates “a neural network where our most original ideas and problem-solving happens”. It may seem harsh, but a little boredom can go a long way to encourage creativity and self-sufficiency in a child. 

If you are co-parenting, this is a great time to support each other and work together to manage childcare responsibilities so that you can both maximize your time. If you feel unsure about your co-parenting relationship, especially due to COVID related concerns, check out our last blog “Co-Parenting in a Crisis”.

Please get in touch with our office if you have any questions about co-parenting or other issues that arise during these uncertain times.