Strategies for a Successful Summer Break

Kids do better with structure. That’s even more true for kids with emotional or developmental issues. Structure makes kids with anxiety, ADHD or autism feel safe and comfortable. So summer vacation is a challenge for these kids and their parents. But following some basic rules can make summer easier to handle and more fun for everyone.

Keeping to your child’s usual bedtimes and mealtimes is important. Posting the day’s schedule helps kids move from one activity to another. Planning activities ahead of time, like going to the playground or pool every day, gives kids structure they can depend on. Then you can schedule other activities around that.

Rules for behavior are important, too. It’s good to pick a few “good” behaviors you want your child to work on. You can reward kids for good behaviors with stickers or a special outing. And ignoring as many minor “bad” behaviors as you can teaches kids that acting out won’t get them what they want.

Meet-ups and other online groups are a great way of connecting your child with other kids and families who might make good matches for playdates. Outdoor activities are important for kids. If day camp is an option, it can provide great structure and fun outdoor activities that keep kids from spending too much time in front of screens. If your kid has anxiety, it’s good to figure out what’s triggering it. Then you can take baby steps to make those fears less scary.

Even if you do everything you can to prepare for summer, it’s normal for kids to act out more over vacation. That’s tiring for parents. It’s important take care of yourself during the long summer break, too. Hiring a sitter for a few hours or asking family members to pitch can make a big difference.