We all pushed the clocks forward an hour on March 11 this year, which gives us more daylight in the summertime. Through the beauty of daylight savings time and your kids being home for the summer, this is the time of year for everyone to relax and unwind a little bit.

This doesn't just mean relaxing on a vacation, it may also be a great time to relax some of the rules. There are a number of ways you can give the household a little bit of breathing room this summer, and a number of good reasons to do it.

With this in mind, keep reading to find out how.

Let The Bedtime Go

Bedtimes are like religion in most households -- and for good reason.

Kids generally need about 10 hours of sleep or so, and will have cognitive and development issues if they're not afforded the right amount.

However, you will likely see that kids will generally be OK still getting their hours in without sticking to hard and fast bedtimes. Since they don't have to go to school in the morning, perhaps leave them to their own devices to doze off how they see fit -- within reason of course.

This teaches kids a sense of responsibility and independence that will likely help them to grow as an individual during the summertime. Let them know that you're trusting them to get to bed at a decent time, and oversee it and overrule if they're absolutely being night owls to the point you feel it's harmful.

Have Some Fun Making A Mess

Nothing says summertime fun like bending the rules of "neat" and "proper" for a while.

If you have a few extra dollars to spend, consider having a family obstacle course day, food fight, pie eating contest, water balloon fight or other type of summer fun that will create some lasting memories. Kids love letting their hair down and making a mess at times, and don't get to do it very often.

Summer is a time where parents can bite the bullet and carve out an organized time for your kids to create these messes and enjoy them.

Switch Up Their Wardrobe And Style

Finally, give your child some time to relax their style this summer also.

If they get their hair cut on a strict schedule, consider letting your child grow their hair long for the summer, shave their head, or wear a funky hairstyle that you wouldn't feel comfortable with them wearing to school.

You can also let them get creative with the way they express themselves with their wardrobe. This is yet another exercise in independence, giving your child some wiggle room to grow in a controlled environment.

When you follow these tips, your kids will associate summer with responsible relaxation, and can grow as individuals.

So what are you waiting for?

Relax the rules a bit and put these suggestions to good use.