The long awaited vacation is upon us! Whether you are going away for the break or having a staycation, it is important to find the balance between structure and unstructured time. Having time off of the regular grind is beneficial for children - hey we all need it, adults too! What I notice every year as our family winds down and takes a break, that some of our children feel slightly off-kilter. For many children it can be an internal struggle to follow a different schedule, resulting in crying, fighting with siblings, and you know the rest! So how do we support our children during vacation to feel both emotionally and physically well? I will share with you some simple tips that I plan to try with my own children.
1 - Create a vacation routine - Children feel secure and at ease when they know what to expect. Discuss the coming day’s plans before bedtime. For example, tomorrow we will have breakfast, go to the beach, have lunch, go for a walk, and so on.
2 - Give each child a responsibility while on vacation. They can be responsible for cleaning up after breakfast, preparing stuff for excursions, or packing snacks.
3 - Try sticking to healthy foods and movement each day while having some yummy treats too. A child’s mood is impacted by what they eat. Their brains and bodies have a need for regular movement too.
4 - Vacations can be filled with lots of excitement, especially when visiting new places or warm destinations. Help your child relax before bedtime with some shared reading.
Establishing a structure helps children self-regulate, reducing emotional outbursts and in turn lessening frustration and conflict. Happy children make for happy parents which will translate to an enjoyable break for all! I hope you enjoy special moments connecting with your loved ones :)
With love,
Beth
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