Family Rhythms and Rules Change in the Summer

For families with children, life's rhythms transform as the school year ends and summer begins. The schedules and routines that have been in place for the last nine months abruptly change and new ones will form, whether we plan for them or not.

It seems even more important to take a proactive approach to the upcoming months to ensure safety and a sense of security in what is an increasingly uncertain world. (Into this mix, we have new information that the US has been targeted for unspecified acts of terror this summer.)

What follows are some suggestions designed to promote safety and a sense of mutual commitment within your family. I suggest discussing these points together and using them as a foundation to come up with a plan that works for all of you.

1. Schedules
   We function better with the predictability that schedules afford. These need not be rigid, but at the same time, should be consistent and adhered to by all. It may even be helpful to buy some poster board and plot out a typical week's activities that should include:
   - Where the responsible adults are and their time schedules.
   - Bedtimes and wake-up times. (Staying up late and sleeping in are not the best way to manage the time absent the need to rise for school.)
   - Set times to be in for meals and for the evening.
   - Allotments of time for the Internet and TV watching. Select in advance the shows that you want to watch and portion out the use of the home computer.
   
2. Contact Information
   If children are going to be out playing or at the homes of friends, they need to know who they can call and their phone numbers in the event of an emergency. Children as young as 5 or 6 should be able to memorize 1 or 2 phone numbers and the locations of their parent(s) if not at home.
3. First Aid
   Have a brief discussion about basic treatment of minor cuts, scrapes, bruises, and sprains. Make sure written instructions or diagrams are available and everyone knows where to find them.
4. Emergencies
   Have a clearly posted set of emergency numbers for a physician, police or fire emergency and teach your children how to initiate contact if you are not available or are incapacitated.
5. Sun Protection
   Buy some inexpensive sunscreen - SPF 15 or higher - and encourage daily use by all household members who will be spending time outdoors.
6. Strangers
   Discuss stranger awareness and what children should do if approached or threatened. This should include threats inside the home (phone, Internet), at the door or away from home.
7. Water Safety
   If your children do not know how to swim, enroll them now in a swimming program. Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 14.
   A National Safe Kids Campaign study reveals an unsettling statistic on childhood drownings in 2000 and 2001: 88% of the drowning victims were under some form of supervision. Furthermore, 55% of parents interviewed for the study said they thought it was okay to let a child swim without adult supervision under certain circumstances.
8. Nutrition
   Keep to a schedule of regular meals and discourage snacking. Have some healthy snacks and beverages available and avoid "junk foods" as much as possible.
9. Bicycle Safety
   Wear bicycle helmets always when riding your bike, wear seat belts always - even when traveling in a friend's parent's car and even if your friend doesn't.
10. Knowing the Neighborhood
    Familiarize young children with their neighborhood and explain how to navigate within a reasonable radius of home. Identify the homes of trusted neighbors who might be able to help in an emergency. Make sure children can cross the street safely.

It will be easier to enjoy the break from routine that summer provides once your family members are "on the same page" regarding the information that will help keep you all safe and in touch.

"Your Health" provides easy-to-understand information about common health conditions.