Seven Ways to Keep Your Cool With Your Kids This Summer

Summer break is a time of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation… unless you’re a parent. For those with little ones, it means shifts in routines, packed schedules and finding ways to entertain the kids all day. Luckily, we’ve made a list of seven ways to keep your cool with your kids this summer.

1) Keep a semi-flexible routine.

“Flexible” and “routine” in the same sentence may seem contradictory, but this can reduce stress for both you and the kids. Aim to have some kind of structure, as children tend to benefit from it. Get up around a set time, have them get dressed and brush their teeth. This starts the day with something familiar, and can make transitioning from school to summer (and back again) a bit easier. 

At the same time, it’s okay if it varies a bit. Some days you have to be out the door earlier, some days everyone needs a slower start. 

2) Let them be bored.

In a fast-paced world of screens and stimulation, it’s okay for kids to be a bit bored. They don’t need to be entertained 24/7, that’s exhausting for everyone involved.

Letting them figure out something to do, on their own, can spark creativity and imaginative play. 

3) Keep their brains active.

When away from school, kids shift out of “learning mode.” To reduce the time they spend fighting with their siblings or being “sooooo bored,” give them some fun learning activities. To keep it interesting, some parents vary the activity with the day of the week. This could mean math on mondays, reading on tuesdays, spelling on wednesdays, and so on.

4) Make quiet time mandatory.

Everybody needs time to recharge. Implement an hour (or two, or three) of quiet time everyday, where the kids must entertain themselves, quietly and independently. This gives you time to reset, catch up, or just rest for a little. 

5) Be practical, not perfect.

Parents only have so much to give in a day. Maintaining your patience, dealing with hot weather and planning meals and activities for everyone is a lot to handle. You can grab easy snacks for lunch rather than a 5-star meal. You can go to the park down the street rather than the beach a few hours away. Yes, it’s okay to have a little screen time.

6) Plan some playdates.

Playdates are likely already on the schedule. If they’re not, they can be an opportunity to have some much-needed alone time. Let the kids hangout with another trusted parent for a day, then you return the favour next week.

7) Give yourself grace.

Parenting is hard, parenting during the summer is even harder. It’s okay if some days aren’t perfect, you’re a bit short-tempered, or you need to vent. 

Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed is completely normal. If you need to talk to someone, or hear some more parenting tips, reach out for a free consultation here.