June 2022

The Schedule that Saved our Summer

5 Ways to Give Your Kids a Mentally Healthy Summer

My kids walked in the front door, threw their backpacks in the corner, and plopped down on the couch. I smirked when I heard the little one say, “My brain is officially off the clock!” Considering the year our kids had, I couldn’t blame him. I always loved the freedom of summer vacation, even without the stress of a pandemic.

Meanwhile, a friend said her kickoff to summer was less celebratory. Her daughter cried on the way home from school. She started asking when she’d see her friends again and what she would be eating for lunch every day. I didn’t realize until then the anxiety some kids feel when their school routine is taken from them. The good news is, whether they’re recovering from a stressful school year or dealing with summer anxiety, there are simple ways to give your kids a mentally healthy summer. Try these 5.

1. Limit the number of transitions.

Every summer as a kid, my mom signed me up for a summer enrichment program. I dreaded the first few days and was always nervous about making friends. Fortunately, the program was four weeks long, so I only had to endure the awkward transition once. Finding a longer camp or a few camps all at the same location instead of several short ones here and there will help a child who’s anxious about being social over the summer.

2. Make and post a plan.

One of the best ways to give your kids a mentally healthy summer is to set a loose schedule. Our Schedule That Saved My Summer calendar is a great guide to working in all different types of activities (and downtime). If your kids are attending camps or hanging at friends’ houses during the day while you work, print and post a calendar that will help them get their bearings and track the days.

3. Get a preview.

A study out of Harvard Medical School found three types of summer anxiety in kids: separation anxiety, social anxiety, and specific phobias, like thunderstorms. If your child has one of the first two, consider taking him or her in advance to see the field or building where your kids are going to camp. Just seeing the building he or she will be hanging out in for the week can help alleviate some fears. A lot of unknowns can be cleared up with a simple visit.

4. Set limits on screen time.

My older son would be content to play on screens all summer and only break for the bathroom and a bowl of goldfish. As much as allowing a child to be a couch potato feels like a great way to relieve stress, it’s not going to lead to a mentally healthy summer. Sure, loosen the reins on screen time a bit, but keep limits in place and try a no-electronics day once per week.

5. Plant seeds that will grow in the fall.

My son was upset the night before he left for away camp a few years ago. He said he’d changed his mind about going, but I knew he was just nervous. Fast-forward two weeks, and he couldn’t stop talking about how much he loved being at camp. I told him I was glad he didn’t let his nerves hold him back. You can give your kids a mentally healthy summer by pointing out ways they’re maturing or showing courage. Come fall, the seeds you’ve planted will sprout in ways that will help with challenges in school like trying out for the band or approaching a teacher with a question.

COOL RESOURCE

Family events, kids activities and parenting resources in the Charlotte area!  Fun 4 Charlotte Kids is a local resource for family friendly events and activities in Charlotte and surrounding areas. Listings include kids events, children programs and classes, youth sports, kids eat free directory, birthday party resources, rainy day activities, free fun for kids, summer camps and MORE fun things for kids and families to do in and around Charlotte.  All listed activities are free!    https://fun4charlottekids.com/

Surrounding areas include: Charlotte, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville and Stallings.

UPCOMING EVENTS

What you will learn:

• What is Positive Parenting and Positive Discipline?
• 5 Criteria for Positive Discipline 
• Where we are & where we want to go with our children and learn the most important parenting tool! 
• Positive Discipline Tool Exploration 
• How you can learn more! 

This class is interactive and experiential. Please be prepared to participate. I will send you an email prior to class with useful tools and tips as well as material for our activities.

 

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