No, I'm not going to go all Olivia Newton-John on you….

Summer days tend to be a bit slower-paced, but there are still jobs to be done, houses to be maintained, chores to be completed.

Each summer day needs to include a little work, a little exercise, a little homekeeping, a little time outside, a little play and a little rest.

That goes for everyone. Including kids. A lot of kids spend their summers indoors, glued to screens. I know, because in the Pleistocene era, I was one of them!

If a child is in daycare or camp, find out what they do each day and then fill in the gaps. For example, a day camp might include craft time, outdoor play, free play, and a nap. In that case, the child's time at home might fill in with some basic chores and reading time. If the camp provides reading time or another intellectual challenge (science experiments, math, a nature hike, building something — you get my drift here), then you can fill in with extra free play or a family bike ride in the evening.

It's all about the balance that lets you enjoy summer without becoming a couch potato.