Are the children in your family counting down the days until summer? Most likely they are looking forward to sleeping a little later, spending time with friends, playing on a sports team, going to camp, going on vacation, and seeing grandparents. What’s not to like about summer? I know – right?

For some children, summer is just not so sweet.

Structure may the problem.

Too much structure – Sometimes, parents look to summer as a catch up time. This might be the approach of families in which a child struggles with academics. Summer is bonus time. Focusing on reading or math skills will help the child close the gap between his level of performance and that of his peers.

Maybe.

Or maybe not.

Working to boost skills (or even just to maintain them) is not a bad philosophy as long as “the plan” isn’t too stringent. The goal is for positive accomplishment, not to burn the child out on trying.

Too little structure – It seems like children would thrive on a deviation from the super structure of the school year.

Summertime shouldn’t be the same as the school year.

True.

But heading into each day without some kind of a plan is a slippery slope. Kids (and adults) need some structure to feel safe and secure. It reduces everyone’s level of anxiety.

Soft structure – A kind of “soft structure” is in order. In other words, certain key elements of the day or week should be in place. Things like dinner at a fairly consistent time, a routine for basic chores, planned time for activities, and down time should all have a place in a healthy, soft structure of summer.

And so should children’s devotions.

Summer is the perfect time to start a routine of devotions with your child. I posted some ideas for doing that here.

Even if your child has a routine for studying the Word of God, summer is a good time for soft structure in that area, too. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting that you slack off in this area. You may want to try a new devotion format.

When I wrote my devos for preteens, I was striving for something that would engage the kids in doodles and journaling. I wanted them to read a Scripture and then have to think about how that could apply to their lives. The finished books are ones that some camp directors are promoting. I hear lots of families comment that they are great activity books for traveling as well.

I suggest to you that kids thrive on soft structure in all areas of their lives in the summer.

And I pray many blessings on your family as we head into the sweet days ahead.

Carol