Here comes summer. We have holidays, time with friends, vacations, and all the FUN activities. Yet, do you ever feel like there is more yelling? More meltdowns? More fighting and frustration? Do you find yourself looking at your kids thinking what is wrong…. this is supposed to be fun! As a parent, it is frustrating and hard. I mean you worked extra shifts for this vacation. You put time and energy into this fun idea. You worked so hard to make this holiday magical. So, what’s happening?
Well, hear me out – kids have a really hard time with new places, new routines, holidays, loud noises EVEN when it is fun. Why? Developing brains crave stability, routine, and predictability, so when we have holidays and vacations and summer days filled with fun, their brain is thinking this is different. Really different. What’s going to happen next? Their brain goes into overdrive and here come the meltdowns, the pushback, the fights.
So, how can we help? PREP! Prep your kiddos with all the details of what tomorrow will look like, what the holiday plans are, or what our vacation will entail. The more details the better. This allows your child’s brain to feel they have stability and predictability helping to reduce, minimize, or avoid confusion, frustrations, and meltdowns. Most importantly prep yourself as the parent. Knowing change and new things is just hard for kids. Lower your expectations. Expect meltdowns and hard moments. When we know these challenges will occur, we can approach these situations and our kiddos with grace and understanding and still allow fun and joy throughout the summer! Remember, YOU GOT THIS!