Kids do better with structure (by the way, so do adults!). That’s even truer for kids with emotional or developmental issues. Structure makes kids with anxiety, ADHD or Autism feel safe and comfortable. So summer vacation can be a challenge for these kids and their parents. Following some basic rules can make summer break easier to handle and more fun for everyone.
- Maintain your schedule
While you may never be able to duplicate the structure school provides, it helps to maintain the school year’s daily schedule, right down to meal times and bedtime as much as possible. It can be very tempting to let your kids stay up late and sleep in but in the long run, sticking to the same schedule pays off by keeping your child more comfortable, and hence more cooperative. - Make plans
Try to schedule as many activities as possible, and keep your kids in the loop. This can mean anything from “we’re going to Aunt Mary’s Thursday at 5 for dinner” to having a set routine that every day, weather permitting, you’ll be going to the playground or pool. Even one such activity can give kids a center of gravity around which the day can be structured. - Get outdoors
Home can become a safe cocoon, especially for children with sensory issues, or those who struggle with social interactions. But children should not spend hours in front of a screen. Some parents rely on camp to get kids outside, which also provides structure and routine. But if camp isn’t in the cards, try to find something your child enjoys, like riding a bike or splashing at the community pool or beach and then do it! Physical activity is good for everyone’s mind, body and spirit, especially for kids who have energy to burn. - Prepare yourself for some tough times
Even with the best laid plans, you may see some regression and worsening behavior over vacation. Give yourself a break for not being able to magically avoid it. And be ready to hold your ground in as calm, firm and consistent a manner as possible. Yelling only escalates thing, and giving in teaches your child that if he screams loud enough, he’ll get what he wants. - Maintain a sense of fun
There can be a lot of potential in simple pleasures. You may find that your child is just as happy playing in a sprinkler instead of basking in a pool. If you can maintain a sense of fun, there will be many moments of learning and development of the kind that can’t happen in a classroom.