So maybe summer school for kids isn’t such a bad thing after all. Perhaps it shouldn’t be seen as punishment, but more as an opportunity, which is exactly the message you should relay to your kids who will be sitting through summer courses this year. Summer school is a chance to excel, to find what they are interested in, to focus on their goals and to learn. It’s also a chance to have fun. Just because they are in a classroom does not mean they can’t also enjoy their summer. Several summer programs have social activities and adventures to help students let loose and unwind as they learn. And you should implement the same mentality at home. Yes, they are taking these courses to focus on their academic needs, but if you really want them to not just survive, but also thrive at summer school, you need to help them have fun when they aren’t studying. Plan relaxing activities at home, take your kids on fun weekend getaways, encourage them to see friends when they aren’t in class and support their interests outside the classroom.
In addition, encourage your child not to be embarrassed about his summer school plans, and openly address why he is attending summer school in the first place. If it is to get ahead on his courses then talk about the bigger picture and his educational goals. If it is because he fell behind this past year, then discuss what went wrong and how you can work together to make this summer (and the years that follow) a success. Be open about the situation so you can both make the most of this opportunity to advance.
