Preparing Your Child for Summer: 3 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Time Off

What’s the secret to having the best summer ever? The truth is, there is no secret—just intentionality and routine. Summer is a great time to unwind and relax with your children, but for some families this also means adjusting to new schedules or sliding behind academically. So, here are three ways to help your child get the most out of their summer break and make the back-to-school transition a little easier.

 

1. Take advantage of educational opportunities

Summer can be a chance to help your child love to learn! Look for opportunities to incorporate education into daily tasks with your children. Find ways to apply what they learned in math and science last year out in the real world. Some families find the back-to-school season a bit easier if they’ve taken time over the summer to review what they learned last year. 

Crosswinds Tip: Try to take an informal approach to continuing education. Look at things in nature, go on hikes with your children, and talk about plants and animals. Find something your children are interested in and teach them more about it in a fun environment. 

2. Create a routine 

For many families, the schedule goes out the window on the first day of summer break. But, when you create new, consistent routines, it helps your children feel confident and

excited about each day. Create a schedule of things for you and your children to do and figure out when that schedule needs to change. 

Crosswinds Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute to get back into the swing of things when the back-to-school season arrives. Figure out what your new schedule looks like and start preparing for earlier bedtimes, naps, and a new routine early.  This will ensure you and your children are not in a state of shock when they go back to school.  

3. Leave technology behind

If you are still struggling to connect with and engage your children during summer, try putting the phones down. Many families have become so accustomed to using phones and ipads without limits. Your family should not have to constantly compete with technology, for attention. This rule goes for both children and parents. Just as you should limit the time your children spend on their devices, you should set limits for yourself and choose to be fully present with your children too. 

Crosswinds Tip: Don’t rely on technology to entertain your children. You don’t want the only quality time you have with your child to be watching television. Go outside, be interactive, and push the technology to the side. 

Bonus Tip for Family Vacations: When spending time away from home during the summer, do some research ahead of time and find things that will keep your children’s interests and allow them to burn off some energy. Find museums, parks, nature trails, or whatever they enjoy doing. This will allow them to better engage with you. 

No matter what you do, it’s important you keep your children engaged this summer. Following these steps and creating a fun, engaging time for your children will help you bond and grow closer. 

If you don’t know where to begin or are struggling to find ways to connect with your children this summer, we can help. Even if everyone is getting along with each other, you and your family can benefit from counseling. Visit crosswindscounseling.org or call 877-594-9204 to get matched with a therapist today. Crosswinds counselors have helped thousands of parents learn skills to connect better with their children—we can help you too.