Nb. I have used children as a broad term to include child & children
The summer holidays bring lazy mornings, longer days, and endless opportunities for connection, adventure, and fun. There's no pressure from school runs, no packed lunches to make, and no uniforms to iron. Daily routines relax, and while the freedom of summer is exhilarating, a great opportunity for growth as a family and a time for overcoming challenges, it can also be a tricky, time for many families.
For neurodivergent families, the open-ended nature of summer can be both exciting and daunting, potentially leading to the following challenges:
Constant change – New adventures and different places can induce anxiety in many neurodivergent individuals, which can be exhausting for both parents and children.
Exhaustion – many will be feeling the effects of masking at school and whilst you may want to begin the holidays as soon as school stops, your children may need time to recharge. They might prefer to be alone for a few days to transition from school to summer.
Boredom – Without a clear routine, neurodivergent children may struggle to entertain themselves, leading to frustration. For sensory seekers this may look like poking, prodding or winding siblings or parents up and for sensory sensitive children this may look like zoning out on screens and getting frustrated or becoming lethargic.
Lack of focus or attention – Increased distractibility can occur without clear interests to focus on.
A need to move – more free time can lead to increased hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Here are some ideas to help manage household dynamics and ensure everyone enjoys their summertime together:
Create a routine
Work with your children to create a summer plan together. Find out what activities they enjoy, what activities you enjoy and how you can structure the day around your working schedule. Having a loose or predictable plan can be beneficial for everyone.
Plan meals
Collaboratively plan meals. For younger children, let them create a menu and join in with meal preparation. Set up mini restaurants or create themed meals like afternoon teas and have fun dressing up. For older children, invite their friends over to cook together, perhaps they can all bring a dish and create a feast. Remember to manage space for more sensitive children, providing quiet time if needed.
Include structured activities
Incorporate fun activities like art afternoons, morning walks, slime making, painting nails, moon chasing, and toasting marshmallows around a firepit. These activities require little effort but offer beautiful moments to connect.
Add sensory activities
Create barefoot courses in the garden with different natural items like mud, grass, straw, water, sand, and slime. Check in with your children’s sensory preferences and set up the course together. Go on a nature walk using dice to decide the direction. Potion making and garden camping are also great sensory activities.
Schedule downtime
Everyone needs time to recharge. Plan for downtime and stick to it. Sometimes, chilling out in your own sensory space is the best way to recharge, you can reconnect when you are all refreshed. Allow for space, we all need it.
Be Flexible
Allow for the days when your children simply can’t go out, can’t try new things, can’t meet with others and either say “no” or show you “no” in their actions. These days are likely to come, your plans are made but your children are too under resourced to try today or there, maybe days when you feel like you are riding a constant wave of regulation to dysregulation all day long. During these times, let go of all expectations, let go of any pending tasks, do only the essentials and when you make it to bedtime, remember the stolen smile, the touch of a hand, the warmth of their hearts, hold on to this to bring a micro-moment of connection to your nervous system, tomorrow is a new day.
By incorporating these strategies, you can help your neurodivergent children navigate the summer holidays more smoothly, ensuring that the whole family can enjoy this special time together.
Jolene Ironside
Single parent to two wonderful young people
Lover of sunrises, moon chasing and fire pits
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