We all know the summer can be tons of fun – but it can also be kind of a weird time. Your kids might miss their friends from school, or maybe feel a little sad sometimes. That’s totally normal. Here are a few tips we got from Children’s Wisconsin to help deal with those feelings in healthy ways.
The Right Routine
One great thing about school is that it sets a routine – that means you get out of bed at the same time, go to school at the same time, have the same recess, and all that through the entire day.
Now, maybe that sounds boring, but it’s actually super important. Having a routine schedule makes it easy to know what your day’s going to look like, and when you suddenly don’t have one in the summer, you might feel a little lost or even sad.
Lots of kids do! So one thing that’s really important to do this summer is to keep a regular routine. That doesn’t mean you can’t stay up late or have breakfast for dinner every once in a while – just that your adults should help you keep some regular activities and routine going.
Friends Forever
The end of the school year doesn’t just mean no more homework – it means you probably won’t see your friends as often. And that stinks. Some of your friends go off to camp, others are on vacation, maybe some just can’t hang out that much, and you might find that you’re missing them.
That happens to everyone, especially during the summer, and it might make you lonely or a little annoyed. The best way to deal with that is to spend time with other kids. Talk to your parents or caregivers about joining activities that seem cool to you, or ask them to set up time to hang out with friends, or even just go to a playground or another spot with your parents and meet some new people.
Chatting It Up
It’s important to talk regularly with your parents or caregivers. When they ask how your day was, they really want to know! It doesn’t all have to be serious – just chatting about cool things you saw that day, stuff you want to do or your friend’s new toy is great.
Toss The Table
We love technology – there’s so much amazing, fun stuff you can do online – but it’s not always good for us. Spending a little time on a phone or tablet can be just fine, but spending a lot of time can actually make you feel worse.
You might feel worried, sad or angry when you have to put it down, and that’s a sign that you’ve been using it for too long. This isn’t just a problem for kids– adults have to limit their technology use, too, because it can have that same effect on them. So when adults try to set time limits on your tech use, it’s for a good reason.
Soak Up Some Sun
Sometimes moving around outside can be just the right cure for the blues. Did you know
that both exercise and sunshine help people feel better and improve their mood?
It might seem simple, but they really make a difference. Whether you’re just having fun in your yard or visiting an awesome park or playground, getting out of the house can sometimes be the difference between a good day and a crummy one. (But always be sure to wear sunscreen!)
If you’re worried about your child’s mental or behavioral health, you can turn to
Children’s Wisconsin. Every Children’s Wisconsin primary care office has a behavioral health consultant on staff who works alongside your child’s pediatrician and can help with your concerns.
Children’s Wisconsin also offers therapy services with master’s-level therapists. And if you have an immediate concern about your child’s mental health, Children’s Wisconsin offers mental health walk-in clinics in both Milwaukee and Kenosha where you can take your child for help right away, no appointment needed. For more parent tips and resources on mental health, visit childrenswi.org/mentalhealth.
