Jessica Gabbard, clinical programs supervisor, Parkview Behavioral Health Institute shares practical ways to keep kids grounded and engaged throughout the summer.
School is out, and most families with young children are looking forward to the next two months without the added pressures of a school routine. However, summer months bring their own unique challenges that many parents have to face, such as wake-ups, bedtimes, mealtimes, boredom and technology. While it is reasonable to adjust these expectations in the summer months, keep in mind that kids need and crave routine and structure.
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make your summer break a success.
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Keep a consistent schedule with wake-sleep times. It's okay to adjust the schedule to allow kids to sleep in a bit longer or stay up a little later. But keep in mind that sleep is critical for development and has a big impact on behavior. Too much or too little can have big consequences.
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Set limits around technology. Just because kids are on summer break, it should not be a free pass to be on their devices nonstop. Boredom is healthy for kids and their development as this breeds creativity and allows space for them to think for themselves versus being influenced by social media.
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Keep a meal snack routine. Ideally, kids will still eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at about the same time every day. Remember, consistency is your friend. Also, there should be limits on what kinds of snacks are available and when they can be consumed.
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Have chores and expectations. These are life skills, not school skills. Kids need to learn that they still have things to be responsible for and that there are natural consequences in life for failing to meet expectations.
It doesn't have to be perfect, but maintaining a loose routine now can help ease some stress later when school starts back up in the fall. If you're finding that your child could use extra support managing mood or behavior during this seasonal shift, we're here to help.
Parkview Behavioral Health Institute (PBHI) provides personalized inpatient and outpatient care to those who are struggling with mental health issues. Call the PBHI HelpLine at 260-471-9440 or 1-800-284-8439 to receive an assessment or learn more about our services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
