The summer holidays…
How to Support Your Child in the Summer
The back-to-school countdown has a funny way of creeping up on us, doesn’t it? One minute you’re knee-deep in suncream and snacks, the next, there’s talk of uniform fittings and shoe sizes.
Summer holidays can be a strange time for parents. The novelty of the holidays might wear thin. The days can start to feel a bit long and loose, especially for children who rely on routine. It might be that school doesn’t feel like a safe or successful place and it takes everything they’ve got just to get through the day. So holidays feel like they should be perfect without that stress, and we can find ourselves in a bit of a fuzz with it all - wishing it were ‘better/calmer/easier/more instagramable’.
Is there anything we can do in the summer to help with school?
If I could only teach one skill to learn over the summer, it would be this: help your child learn how to notice and name what’s going on inside them — and what helps them regulate it.
As parents we so often rush to reassure or problem-solve: “You’ll be fine, don’t worry.” Or “There’s no need to cry.” But, this in-between time without the intense schedule of school stress gives you the space to gently explore with your child what emotions feel like in their body, what their personal warning signs are, and what small things help them feel steady again.
Here’s what that might look like in practice:
Name it to tame it. Give feelings names. “Looks like your fizz is building” or “That sounds like a disappointment burst.” Some children respond to metaphors, others to simple colour scales or weather charts
Build a self-soothing toolkit. Together, make a calming kit or routine. It might include music, sensory objects, movement breaks, or drawing. Practice using it when things are small, so it’s more likely to be used when things are big
Get curious. Not every wobble needs fixing. Try questions like: “What just happened inside you?” or “What do you need right now?”
Model it. If you’re feeling dysregulated yourself (and let’s face it, who doesn’t in the holidays), narrate your strategies. “I’m feeling a bit all over the place, so I’m going to go outside and breathe for a minute.”.
By helping your child learn what helps them manage their feelings, you’re giving them more than a coping strategy. You’re helping them build inner trust. They learn that they can survive tricky feelings and find their way through.
It doesn’t need to be perfect but taking a little time to focus on self-regulation can lay the groundwork for September, no matter what school throws their way.
I support children and families (with and without ADHD) to find tools and strategies to help them thrive. Please get in touch with any questions on how I might be able to support you and your family. Contact me
