Taking Time to Enjoy Summer

I remember that when I was a kid, summer seemed to last forever. I couldn't wait for the school year to end because I knew that those endless days were just around the corner. Those last few weeks of the school year were agony - the weather had already turned and we would sit in our desks perspiring (schools didn't have air conditioning in the stone age) and pretending that we were dutifully attending to our studies, but really we were dreaming of the summer's promise.

I recall afternoons spent shooting hoops on the Bauer's driveway or playing baseball with all the other neighborhood kids in the empty lot across the street - the ball diamond was a well worn path in the weedy grass. Sometimes we would cross the train tracks to go across the big highway (two lanes really, but to us it seemed tantamount to crossing a national border) to buy a few pieces of candy, some Zots, Pop Rocks, Root Beer Barrels, with the change we had managed to hoard from Dad's pockets. Aside from Little League and swimming lessons, my three brothers and I didn't really get a lot done over the summer. Or at least it seemed that way. I did manage to catch you-know-what from my Mom once when I went fishing all day and forgot about my piano lesson. But as I look back upon my childhood summers I do realize that they were a valuable component of my upbringing. I now appreciate that I was given the opportunity of free time, time that I could spend exploring, playing, engaging in what I found value in, even as a kid. I learned a lot about myself. And I learned a lot about how to occupy my free time without being told what to do.

I worry that we are depriving our children this same opportunity when we overschedule them. I hear ads on the radio offering academic day camps - so kids won't forget all the precious knowledge that has been pumped into them over the school year. (Not to disparage, but when's the last time you used the quadratic equation?) I think it's important to maintain a sense of balance in our childrens' summer schedules. They really do need some unscheduled time over the summer. Sometimes a kid just needs to be a kid.

So as summer approaches, I ask you to keep in mind, and think back to your own childhoods, what you remember most fondly about your summers growing up. And to give your kids some free time.

Dr. George Idarraga
Pediatrician
Meriter Pediatrics
2275 Deming Way, Suite 220
Middleton, WI 53562
608.417.8388
meriterkids.com

Keeping Summer Fun

Whoever thought that age four would be the time to start worrying about extracurricular activities? The arrival of the YMCA and MSCR summer guides began my internal debate.

Perusing through the pages of both guides peaked my interest in many activities. I haven’t played tennis is over five years, and the adult tennis class sounds like fun. If only I was ten again, I could go to summer camp. . . Okay, back to my four-year-old. Up until this year, he was too young for many activities. Promoting a healthy lifestyle (including physical activity) at this age is very important for life-long health, but do I sign him up for karate or swimming or gymnastics or yoga or outdoor soccer or a soccer camp or a multi-sport camp or . . . The list goes on and on, and it will only get longer as he gets older.

As with all families, our time is limited, and I want to make the most of the time we are together. I also look forward to having trips to the library, zoo, park and many of the other amenities offered by living in Madison. We also want to take short weekend trips to explore new places and if I fill the summer with scheduled activities, when will we go exploring? My son has taught me that spontaneity can be the most fun. Children benefit from structure in some activities, but also need time to explore the world on their own and create their own adventures. My husband and I thought it was a great idea to go see the St. Patrick’s Day parade. My son enjoyed the parade, but had just as much fun running around the Capital lawn playing hide-and-go-seek. I don’t want to limit these opportunities to create his own fun (and mine, for that fact) by scheduling away all our free time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a good article to help guide parents: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/fitness/Pages/Physical-Activity-Make-the-Right-Choice-for-Your-Child.aspx.

So, I continue to have the internal debate, but for the time being, my son is only scheduled in 1-2 activities per week. I am planning to keep all weekends free in the summer for exploring and discovering what fun we can have on our own. The most important thing is for us to figure out what works for our family, stay active and have fun.

Dr. Dana Johnson
Pediatrician
Meriter Pediatrics
2275 Deming Way, Suite 220
Middleton, WI 53562
608.417.8388
meriter.com/pediatrics