Adding Structure to Your Teen's Summer

While summer provides teens with a welcome break from the rigors of the school year, summer’s lack of structure can also pose challenges. Here are some tips for parents to help ensure their teens get the most out of summer.

Foremost, find ways for your teen to build structure into their summer days. Many teenagers are interested in finding summer employment, but don’t know how to look for jobs or prepare job materials. Offer your own expertise to help increase their chances of finding summer employment. If a job is not in the cards, Portland provides ample volunteer opportunities for youth. Also, consider telling your friends/colleagues that your child is looking for work. Many folks have odd jobs that need completion, or they might be aware of job opportunities that you’re not. Finally, consider giving your teenager more household responsibilities during the summer, or helping them prepare a to-do list for days where there’s no other built-in structure.

Depending on their age, consider setting some summer screen-time rules, and invite them to participate in this process. Ask them what they think would be best for them, and collaborate to identify how you can hold them to those intentions. Additionally, consider helping your teenager design a sleep schedule that would fit their summer plans. Remember, staying up late and sleeping in is beneficial for teenagers, as pubertal hormones shift the body clock. Make sure you’re helping them design structure that supports a healthy sleep schedule.

If your teenager doesn’t participate in organized sports, help devise other ways for them to move their body. If they’re interested in the outdoors, help them find ways to be in nature. If they like to work out, consider helping them with a gym membership. Again, collaborate with your teenager in setting movement goals, and learn what you can do to support them in sticking to their intentions.

Finally, make sure your teenager is finding time to unwind during the summer. School is taxing on the body and mind, and it’s important that teens have the opportunity to replenish themselves during the summer months. Help them identify ways they can practice good self-care during the summer months.

Remember, even older teenagers still need parental support in building structure into the summer months. Many teens struggle with balance, and the lack of summer structure can lead to too much of fallback activities like video games, and phone time. Hopefully these suggestions can inspire you to sit down with your teenager, and have a collaborative discussion about how they can get the most out of their summer break.