If you cast your mind back to your childhood, the summer vacation period probably stands out as the best time of the year. It felt like you had all the time in the world; the weeks stretching out before you, just waiting to be filled in with a variety of activities and memory-making experiences.
The chances are that your kids will feel the same way about their summer vacation from school too— but there is always the risk that the time away from the structure and routine of school will cause feelings of restlessness. This year, if you notice your children don’t quite seem to be enjoying the summer break as much as you’d expect, then one of these causes might be the cause.
#1 – NOT HAVING ENOUGH TO DO
The most obvious cause of restlessness is children not feeling stimulated. Wherever possible, and depending on your schedule, try to vary activities and try something different every once in awhile. If you’re struggling for inspiration for activities, you can click here and view a huge list of helpful ideas.
#2 – HAVING TOO MUCH TO DO
While your kids will likely struggle if they don’t have enough to do, restlessness can also be caused by having too much to do. If every day has a scheduled activity or playdate, then this can become overwhelming and over-stimulating. A few “rest” days, where they can choose to do as they see fit, is always a good idea to help give their vacation a sense of balance.
#3 – LACK OF VARIETY
If your kids love going to the water park, then it might seem tempting to take them to the water park throughout the summer. However, most children will find themselves less enthralled by a place or activity when they’re doing it for the second, third, or fourth time. Variety is important, so don’t be afraid to mix up your activities and try something new.
#4 – OVERLY STRICT SCHEDULING
One of the major upsides of summer for kids is that they are able to move away from the strict routine they have to live by during the school months. Some parents try to replicate this schedule to ensure a sense of order and continuity for their kids, which is generally a good idea… up to a point. Over-scheduling can lead to restlessness and cause your children to miss out on the amazing feelings of freedom that summer vacations can elicit, so ensure there’s plenty of flexibility worked into your schedule too.
#5 – POST-VACATION BLUES
It’s not just adults who experience the “return from vacation blues”. If you’ve been abroad or to visit friends in another state, it’s natural for your children to take awhile to bounce back to normal upon your return. Usually, the best way of coping with this is to schedule something exciting for them to look forward to in the near future.
BEATING THE SUMMERTIME BLUES
If your kids are showing signs of restlessness this summer, consider the causes above. If one of these reasons sound familiar, make a few changes, and your children’s summer experience should improve almost exponentially. Good luck!
Photo Credit: Jill Wellington, Mojitos and Munchkins
