The summer months can be memorable for a teenager and a family as a whole. The personal growth of a teen over the summer is possible rather than sitting around complaining about boredom. The summer should not be a waste of time for any teen as it can be relatively productive while still more relaxing than the school year. The social life of your teen might flourish over the summer with current and new friends. Friends that meet at work as teens might forge lifelong friendships. Your teen will be exposed to more than just the people at school with whom they can spend 30 to 40 hours weekly. The following are ideas for how your teen should be spending their time this summer.
Parents Should Be Realistic With Summer Workloads
Requiring a teen to get a full-time job while still handling their share of the chores might be realistic. What is not realistic is when you add babysitting or classes to this workload. The summer is not the time for most students to work harder than ever. The time should be spent productively but relaxing is a part of summer that can improve overall mental health. The stresses of the school year might be massive with sports, academics, and social life. A lazy weekend for a teen over the summer should not be demonised but rather embraced to a certain point.
The summer before college might be best spent enjoying those around them. Friends and family might not be able to see a person due to them heading to college across the country. The truth is that a summer that is spent well with family and friends can help quell a bit of homesickness. Setting a new college student up for success is about adjusting which can be tough. Family support through the adjustment can be so important as living alone for the first time can be scary.
Even doing something like a project or starting an exercise routine can allow for parental bonding with a teen this summer. These are both also consider mental health activities for teens as mental health can be a struggle at times. Actively participating in something with your teen can be invaluable in terms of what they need mentally.
Potentially Getting College Credits
College credits earned while living at home that transfer to state universities can be so important. Your teen might have a 2-year degree by the time they graduate high school. Online classes make it easier than ever to get ahead academically for those already thriving in high school. The truth is that this can drive down the cost per credit as local colleges are more affordable. Living at home during this time can allow there to be very little in terms of additional costs besides that of course costs.
Heading To A Camp Where New Skills Can Be Garnered
A computer camp that has a focus on coding can be a great investment in your teen’s future. Those that are already interested in technology will have an advantage. You might see your teen get a job the next summer utilising these skills. There are so many opportunities to earn remotely for those with coding and web design skills. Sports camps are another option as these are used by a number of college coaches to evaluate talent. Friends of your teen might be heading to a specific camp or event for teens. This can be a time to relax as a parent knowing that your teen is safe as this can be a main concern for those rebellious teens.
Working To Save For College
Saving up for a first car or for college expenses can be an opportunity for your teen to learn an important lesson. Blowing all of the money can be a way that your teen learned they need to be more careful. Investing wisely can also teach a lesson as financial rewards through investing can help encourage further investments to be made.
Certain students have a job that allows them to graduate college debt-free. College can be a time when you plunge yourself into debt if you approach your degrees unwisely. You can also save thousands by getting local college credits before high school graduation as mentioned above. Heading back to school after finding a job that agreed to pay for your master’s degree is a great option. Recruited athletes in high school might not need a full-time job as training takes up too much time. Scholarship athletes oftentimes spend what a teen would at a part-time job practising or conditioning for their sport.
Summer can be such a versatile time for a teen where they can learn quite a bit. Allow for relaxation as a parent as most parents wish they were given some form of summer break. Enjoy the weather as a family and allow your teen to gain a bit more independence.
