with our Parenting Coach, Tania Grinberg
We hope you’ve been enjoying your summer, soaking up the sun, and spending quality time outdoors with friends and family. Have you noticed how much your kids have grown in just a few weeks? Children thrive when they’re able to spend time outdoors, running, swimming, climbing, and playing.
The excitement of summer can sometimes bring feelings of loss of control, especially for those of us who crave routines. This is particularly true for young children who have little knowledge of how the world works. They feel safe when they know what to expect, so when we plan a beautiful family vacation or a week at the cottage with friends, we may find that some of our little ones are “acting out,” leaving us feeling tired and disillusioned.
While routines are essential for creating a sense of security, it’s equally important for children to learn to adapt and be resilient amidst change; that is the nature of life. We can help by taking a moment to consider what it must feel like for our little ones to have no understanding of the temporality of a vacation and showing them as much compassion as possible for the feelings that may arise from being pulled from what they know is safe and familiar.
Whenever possible, try to include some of your usual routines into your summer days. For example, you can bring a book with you on a camping trip and read your child’s favourite story before putting them to sleep, or try to maintain a similar eating schedule as you do at home when travelling. The most important thing is to TALK TO YOUR KIDS about what is happening, with whom, for how long, and what it’s going to look like. When routines are disrupted, we can help our children feel safe in a new environment by being as detailed as possible about what their lives will look like in the coming hours, days, or weeks.
Here’s to enjoying the rest of summer while finding a balance between adventure and the comfort of routines!
Tania Grinberg
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