It’s that time of year that all the kids are looking forward to…summer break! While it is also a time for parents to get a breather from the responsibilities that school adds to their lives, this time can also create anxiety for some families. One way to help ease into the summer break routine is to maintain the structure in your days. Kids feel more secure and are more successful when they know what is expected of them and when things happen. Determining how much structure to put into place will depend on the individual needs of your child because having too much or too little time can both cause problems.
Here are a few ways to incorporate structure into your summer while still saving room for fun:
- Start and end the day with routines leaving the middle for fun and adventure. For example, have kids complete their morning chores/responsibilities before heading outside to play, having a play date, or watching TV. Getting up around the same time, planning activities and having scheduled meal times are all great ways to incorporate structure into lazy summer days.
- Work with your child to create a list of activities that they are interested in doing. For example, summer camps they may want to attend, crafts they want to make or books they want to read.You can even choose one day a week to do an activity you enjoy.
- Making a calendar together with the list of activities is also a fun project to do with your child. It will also help them to know what to expect each day.
- Set aside time each day for your child to read. Teachers always encourage summer reading and may local libraries have summer reading program.
Summer is a great break from the pressures of the school year and with a little pre-planning you can help to create a fun, enjoyable summer for all.
Enjoy your Summer from Crossroads Family Counseling Center, LLC.
Written by: Denise Booth who is a Virginia Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 10 years experience working with children and families. She specializes in providing therapy to children and adolescents dealing with trauma and PTSD, behavioral issues at home and school, as well as anxiety, depression, self-esteem and substance abuse. In her work with parents, she strives to enhance parent-child relationships and strengthen parenting skills.
