7 Ways for parents on a tight budget to help their kids enjoy Summer

Teri Ann Renee Paisley, Gleaner Online Writer

This time of year is dreaded by most parents. They are faced with the challenge of finding activities for their school age kids home for the holidays.

The dilemma is how to be a good provider and a good parent by not neglecting their children during the Summer.

Some scraped up their meager funds and sent their children to Summer schools or camps but even those are drawing to a close.

So what are parents with limited funds to do with their kids for the remaining weeks of Summer holiday?

Well I am happy to let you know that I have found a few useful and mostly free activities that you can channel the energy of your kids during those long months at home.

• Utilize grandparents expertise. If they are retired and willing why not turn over the kids for a day or two each week? Just be considerate and make the necessary arrangements.
• Check out activities at local libraries. Some branches such as the Shortwood Parish Library offer free reading classes where kids are read various stories and complete basic exercises.
• Take a driving trip around the island. A number of exciting historical places exist all over the island plan ahead to maximize the weekends so kids feel enthusiastic about the trips.
• Choose something extra for them to do at home – cleaning or organizing cupboards or storage areas for garage sales. Give them a little extra treat for completing each task.
• Encourage some good old-fashioned reading and set a target of 10 books for the summer, rather than just letting them play video games and watch television all day.
• Encourage voluntary work. There are many places to do this, such as hospitals, homes for the elderly and children’s homes.
• Start a business. Why not have your child call up his/her circle of friends and see how best they could make a ‘business’ out of some type of service, while earning a few dollars?

How are you planning to help your kids to enjoy summer with limited funds?

Tags: savings, summer