Successfully Transitioning into Summer

By Marci Stevens, M.S., LMFT-C

Edmond Family Counseling

Transitioning to summer vacation can be an exciting but challenging time for family. The transition can look different for each family.

For some, it may require juggling your child’s array of commitments, such as daycare, extra-curricular activities, various camps and possibly summer school. For some families, it might mean no set schedule and plenty of time for fun and relaxation at home and in the community.

Whatever your family’s summer plans look like, think about ways to establish some structure and routine during a child’s simmer break.

Routines provide children with a feeling of comfort, safety, and well-being. It can also help children develop a sense of responsibility. When children are given a framework of knowing what to expect, and an understanding of what is expected of them, they can grow to be better equipped to adjust to everyday challenges and stressors.

The school day is predictable for kids: wake-up, get dressed, eat breakfast, get to school, arrive home from school, homework, bedtime. Children typically flourish with this type of routine.

When the school year ends and summer vacation arrives, the structure and consistency is quickly lost. Children may not know what to expect at home or how to structure their time. This can result in stress and anxiety for both children and parents.

A lack of routine can negatively affect a child’s attitude, motivation, and focus. Creating some type of summer routine can help organize a child and provide a sense of security that can support their social-emotional development.

Although schedules can be more relaxed during summer break, most children benefit from some type of summer routine as a way of knowing what to expect on a daily basis. A consistent routine during the summer months will also ease the transition back to school in the Fall.

A few tips for maintaining a routine during the summer:

1. Have a consistent wake-up and bedtime- whether your child is participating in scheduled activities or not, it can be beneficial to establish a consistent wake-up time and morning routine. This does not mean it must be the same as during the school year but consistent.
2. Maintain regular meals and snacks- kids get busy over the summer and they can lose track of when to eat. Keeping meals and snacks in routine is imperative to maintain blood-sugar levels and evade the moody occurrences when your child is low on fuel. Include your child in planning meals and snacks, especially if they are going to be independent with mealtime.
   
3. Create expectations of what you want to happen during the day- discuss with your kids expectations and limits for summer vacation upfront. For example, if you plan to limit electronics, you should let your child know what the limits are to be. Also, plan activities your child enjoys such as playing with friends, going to the park, going to the pool etc.
   
4. Assign responsibilities- plan for age-appropriate responsibilities for your kids. This can help children feel they are actively contributing to the family and can build self-esteem. 
5. Schedule some down time- not every minute needs to be scheduled. The goal is to keep kids on a consistent schedule and provide some stability and organization to their day. 

It is important to remember that routine for your family may look and work differently than someone else’s family and that is fine. It is also key to remember routines can go askew: children can have an off-day and unexpected events can throw things off. 

Don’t let these events throw you off course. Start again the next day and try to remember, routine can enhance a child’s sense of certainty, safety, and connection.

Marci Stevens, M.S., LMFT-C is a staff therapist at Edmond Family Counseling. Edmond Family Counseling is a non-profit organization. We may be reached at 405-341-3554 to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed professional counselors. Donations may be made to Edmond Family Counseling, 1251 N. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, or online @ www.edmondfamily.org by clicking the YELLOW DONATE button. Follow us on our Facebook Page @ Edmond Family Counseling for additional information regarding mental health awareness.