School is out, and summer has begun. Kids that have been bottling up energy during the last couple of months are free to unleash that energy and have a great time playing, camping, traveling, and keeping parents on their toes. Let the fun begin!
Amidst the hustle and bustle of summertime activities, how can parents help children find balance between expending all that energy and maintaining self-regulation? It is absolutely possible. Here are a few tips to help parents navigate the transition into summer fun and activities:

1. Create a summer routine. Setting a summer schedule can help children feel safe and secure while experiencing the new “freedom” that they find during the summer months. Children with ADHD thrive with structure, and that is why a “free range” summer for a child with ADHD can be overwhelming and overstimulating. Consider setting a looser schedule that allows them the room to roam while still having boundaries from which to operate in.
2. Manage transition time by preparing your child in advance for changes in activities. Use of visual cues, setting timers, and clearly communicating about impending changes can help children with ADHD prepare for transitions, and can reduce anxiety and resistance to changes.
3. Maintain daily structure. Set a summer bedtime even if it is a little later than during the school year. Keeping mealtimes routine and setting a time of day for activities can be helpful too, allowing children to feel secure and safe.
4. Practice relaxation techniques with your child at a set time each day or each week. Teaching them skills like “belly breathing”, using guided imagery and helping them learn to practice mindfulness strategies can help them build skills that they can use to emotionally self-regulate even after the summer is long gone and school has kicked back into gear. This is a great opportunity to model self-regulatory behaviors with children and can help parents relax during the fast pace of summer activities as well.
5. Encourage outside play and minimize screentime. Great opportunities to burn through excess energy while engaged in fun activities like swimming, hiking, recreational sports. Consider enrolling your child in a day camp that focuses on fun outdoor exploration, such as at a local nature center or park. Taking breaks from overuse of screens is as important for kids as adults and can help to decrease anxiety and irritability.
Now get out there and have some fun. Enjoy every moment with your children and have a great summer.