We had a birthday in my family this week. My children gobbled up the chocolate cake only to experience the inevitable sugar crash that follows shortly after this heavenly experience. This somehow got me thinking about summer break and the transitions that come with this for families with school age children.

Children get to experience all the frosting and sprinkles this last month of school —parties, field trips, assemblies and final school events–only to be at risk of a serious “sugar crash” as they begin their summer break.

For parents of school age children, you know what I’m talking about when I say “sugar crash”—think moodiness, lack of motivation, testy behavior, whining…ahh, the joys of summer. This time of transition particularly affects children who struggle with managing ADD/ADHD, but can also affect children whose personality types thrive with routine and predictability.


There are some recommendations that I want to pass along that can help prepare your family for this transition. Yes, I realize it’s not summer yet, but often these transitions take some intentional and creative planning for them to go smoothly.

  • Maintain routines: Setting some simple structure into your weekdays can be a life saver. Maintain some orderliness with sleep and wake times and create a blend between structured time and relaxation. Ask yourself—“Do my children know what to expect for the day and week ahead? Is there a predictable pattern to their days?” Include household responsibilities, outdoor play, and summer homework as part of these routines. A family calendar posted in a central place can be helpful. Routine eases anxiety in children.
  • One on one time: During this time of transition, children often miss their friends and benefit from extra social time. Parents are still busy with their daily agendas. To be proactive with this, plan some additional daily quality time with your child. Try implementing a new ritual with your child for summer (example: a summer walk after supper, ice cream on Friday nights, etc). Arranging some dates to have friends over can also be something for children to look forward to.
  • Learn something new: Encouraging children to learn something new during the summer can keep their creativity flowing as well as get them engaged in a hobby or skill that fits their interests. Summer is a perfect time for promoting learning like this. Have a conversation with your child about something they would like to explore (a new sport, arts and crafts projects, even creating a backyard mini garden, etc) and map out the steps that will help your child work toward this goal.

I hope that these suggestions can be helpful to you and your family as you begin to think summer. Now you can go ahead and enjoy that chocolate cake you’ve been craving since you started reading this post!

For additional information on behavioral health issues, or to seek assistance, go to www.pinerest.org