Helping Families

Planning for the Summer

Things to think about as you start planning for the summer.   Try to choose educational, creative and active activities for yourself and your children.  Plan quality time on a daily basis, even if it's just a 30 minute family break or dinnertime.

Because of the decrease in routine, increased time responsibilities on parents and primary care givers, and increased access to siblings, conflict and turmoil can become a more predominant part of our lives than we'd like.  Structure your days into sections.

Some suggestions migiht include:  what time everyone gets up, BREAKFAST, household chores, free time, LUNCH, play time outside, creative time, chill out time, DINNER, and then family time for the evening.  Your time doesn't have to be organized down to the minute or hour, just provide some organization so that everyone knows what to expect.

Try to set specific days for doing grocery shopping, errand running, laundry, yard work, etc.

Again, the more the routine is set, the better we all do.  So, a thought from (AND FOR) the counselor, conduct your own crisis management by utilizing some, if not all, of these suggestions.