Most people enjoy a lazy day when they can sleep in and just relax.  However, when summer comes, it seems that some teens take that one lazy day and stretch it over the entire summer break.  Here are some tips to combat teen laziness this summer.

Voice your expectations – Let your teen know that you will not accept their staying in bed all day long.  It is not unreasonable to ask that they get up at a decent hour consistently.  Explain that you want them to do more than merely watch television, play console games, or surf the internet on the computer.

If your teen expects you to help pay for their summer activities, they should be willing to abide by a few summer rules.  Set a specific time that you expect them to be home, based upon your level of trust and their age.  Ask them to take on a couple of extra chores during the summer to earn some pocket money.

Get them involved – Whether you ask them to help you around the house, volunteer outside of the home, or help them get a job, you want them to be involved in something.  Give them encouragement to help at a local recreation center, children’s program, or nursing home.  They may find they truly enjoy thinking of others first.

Help them find volunteer positions by calling around to local churches, daycares, or nursing homes.  Local businesses will probably be hiring summer help; offer to help them find a job to earn money before school starts again.  This will help them learn responsibility with money, but will also help them realize the value of their time.  If they realize they get paid by the hour, they might be less likely to waste so much of it.

Spend time with them – Avoid giving lectures about what they should do during the summer.  Instead, find activities that you can do with them.  You don’t have to spend every waking moment with them, but take some time to take them shopping, to a movie, or out for a latte.  Summertime is a great time to reconnect with your teen.  Don’t let the summer go by without taking the time to talk.

Encourage activity – Take time to learn a new sport with your teen.  Not only will this help your teen be less lazy during the summer, it’ll help you be less lazy, too.  Give tennis, swimming, cycling, or rollerblading a try.  You both will benefit health wise for the effort.

Parents all over the country complain that their teens get lazy during the summer break.  These tips to combat teen laziness this summer are just a few that you can use.  Ask your teen if there are things they’d like to accomplish before school starts, and then help them to meet those goals.

Visit School’s Out! Plan For the Perfect Teen Summer http://parentingmyteen.com/schools_out.html and Find Out How To Plan For The Perfect Summer and Keep Everyone (you included) Happy!