Question of the Week: Summer Plans for Kids with ADHD

Eileen Bailey Friend/Family Eileen Bailey began her quest for information on ADHD fourteen years... Send Message Subscribe: Eileen Bailey

Thursday, July 02, 2009
View All of Eileen Bailey's Posts

It is now the Fourth of July weekend and summer is in full swing. For some parents, summertime is a more laid back time. There are no teachers to talk with, homework to supervise or school tests and projects to get ready for. For other parents, summer is even more difficult than the school year. Chil...

Hide Comments | Add comment

Older teens the most complicated to entertain.
Lew Mills
Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 05:12 PM

There are a million summer camp options for younger kids. And although it can cost a fortune for good camps, it is usually entertaining enough. And the oldest kids can work. But at 15 or 16, jobs are fairly lame, and the camps are too. I'm curious about the ideas that others have come up with.

re: Older teens the most complicated to entertain.
3X the Insanity
Sunday, July 05, 2009 at 10:57 PM

The most of which I have to share right now is simply that I am in a similar boat - and that is, awaiting the wondrous destination of affordable (even free!), enlightening, productive activities for my 3 children of various ages and levels of hyperactivity this summer. How about some kind of service opportunitites? Does anyone have a referance to such a thing or place? Maybe helping others would help get them out of their own skin and boredom - and keep me sane!

Untitled Comment
Anonymous
Friday, July 10, 2009 at 12:28 PM

My adhd daughter is away at camp for 2 weeks. It's so quiet at home. Upon her return, we're going to tour the Eastern Shore by bike. A few day trips should wear us both out. She also has 3 books to read before the start of school in the fall, so on the off-days, she's gotta read.

Someone asked about community service ideas. We raised over $300 for the Heifer Project, holding a lemonade and cookie sale. My daughter designed and printed fliers, and delivered them to every house in the neighborhood. We made brownies and cookies the whole week before the event. When we set up our lemonade stand, it was a VERY hot day in June. Many people came by for refreshment. The project kept my daughter busy for an entire week, and she felt good about the contribution she made to Heifer.

re: Untitled Comment
Merely Me
Friday, July 10, 2009 at 07:24 PM

That is a very cool project idea. I have looked into volunteering with my son...we used to do arts and crafts with a day program for adults with disabilities. Maybe we can do this again...thanks for reminding me.

Summer fun ideas....
Merely Me
Friday, July 10, 2009 at 07:33 PM

Just wanted to add...I have just written about some summer ideas over on the Friends of Quinn site. Just follow this link. If any of you have not visited Friends of Quinn...it is a wonderful site...so please do come on over.

I can relate to having an older child...a teen now...and trying to find things to do. It is so much harder when they are older. It seems all the activities are for the young kids. I have found some luck in looking into the brochures for the parks and recreation activities for your local community.

There is a web site called Meet up where you can find groups who do things like go to movies or hike or whatever...and you can also start up a group and advertise there. Not sure what age requirements there are but this could be a way for the older teens to find a group activity.

I will try to think of some more ideas if I can.