Summer can be a challenging time for many families. Everyone is at home, without a break in sight. Parents may be trying to work from home or simply juggle day camps and squeezing in all the appointments that the school year does not allow for. Having summer goals and activities can help ease the challenge and help families enjoy summer break, instead of dreading another day at home, with bored children. When everyone is engaged and focusing on something, other than being bored, the days tend to go smoother.
Those Who Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail.
Planning for your day before it begins can not only be relieving to parents and kids, but can give everyone a goal and things to look forward to. Create a routine that works best for your family. Many teenagers sleep until noon, so planning a family breakfast every morning at 7 am may not be realistic. Just because it looks different from other families, does not make it wrong. Be different, do what works for your family, regardless of what it looks like from the outside looking in. In addition to a wake up, give options for your kids, such as flexible chores, relaxation and activities to do at home. Remember the golden rule for summer, Let It Go. Do not sweat the small stuff or worry about things that you have no control over. If you find yourself dealing with guilt, worry, anxiety or low mood, professionals at Cypress Roots Counseling can help you get the relief you need.
Activities that are Low Cost or Free
Summer can be a time of increased expenses, but activities for families do not have to be a financial burden. The library, local pool and museums are free of charge for a small fee that is doable for most budgets. Check local Facebook groups or ask your neighbors what they know is available. Vacation Bible School is a free activity that can take up many hours of the day and requires kids to use a lot of energy. Outdoor activities such as trails, lakes, or gardening are things that can take up the day and are low cost.
Self Care for You and Your Kids
Enjoy the slower pace mornings and the evenings that are not full of activities or errands. Pull out board games, head outside or simply put on a family movie. Giving kids the opportunity to not have a scheduled activity, which will cause them to rely on themselves to come up with thoughts, actions and activities. This will help your kids develop skills that they can use for the rest of their lives and not just in the times they are bored. Kids need time to be independent, make their own decisions and rest in the side effects of those decisions. Many kids rely too much on their parents or family members to make decisions for them. Allowing kids to have the opportunity to make their own decisions, whether on self-care, activity or even a movie choice, will benefit them in the future. If you find yourself struggling with allowing your kids independence, our counselors at Cypress Roots Counseling can help with this.
Make the Summer What is Best for Your Family
Whether your days are scheduled or free time rules, it can be a time of stress and low mood. If you or your children are experiencing any of these symptoms, you do not have to do it alone. Maybe the slow summer is the best time to invest in mental health for yourself or family. What you reap in the summer you will sow in the fall. Call Cypress Roots Counseling today to help you along your journey.
Get Help From a Counselor in Palestine, TX
At Cypress Roots Counseling, we understand the struggle that individuals and couples face today and want to come alongside them to help them on the marathon of relationships. By scheduling a consultation you can meet with a therapist to discuss your needs and goals for couples counseling. It is never too late to seek counseling for yourself, your relationship or your family. Trust your instincts and the feeling that something is not right and get help today. Our team would be honored to offer support from our Palestine, TX-based practice. Get started today by giving us a call at (903) 300-2705, emailing us at jaclyn@cypressrootscounseling.com or by clicking the Request appointment below.
Other Services Offered at Cypress Roots Counseling
We understand that you may be dealing with more than one mental health or relationship or parenting concerns. Cypress Roots Counseling offers individual and couples counseling, as well as parenting help. Ethical, professional and confidential services are what you will experience at Cypress Roots Counseling. There are many types of counseling, but at Cypress Roots you will encounter CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Solution-Focused Therapy and Gottman Method (Couples).
