Getting Back Into the Swing of Things
As usual, I’ve fallen off with these posts. My apologies! I do hear from you that you do read these and they’ve helped you learn a little more about me (but also about ABA).
Life has continued to be busy and with summer in full swing I figured I would come back and give you some tips to make it through the summer in one piece.
#1 - Plan
Ensure you start your planning early. Whether that is having your child(ren) in camps, or come up with a schedule of activities that will enrich them so they aren’t bored at home. Perhaps Mondays could be library days, Tuesdays could be trips the local park and so on. The plan doesn’t have to be elaborate but do plan. It will be much easier on a Monday for example, if you’re frustrated by the noise and action of the little bodies to say “oh yeah - we haven’t been to library yet!” than it will be generate that idea on the spot.
#2 - Stick to familiar routines
While I just said plan to do fun things, I also encourage you to stick to routines. This goes for all the kiddos. Kids like routines - it gives them solid footing to know what’s next. So perhaps every day after breakfast before they can watch TV they have to complete at least one page out their folder (practice from the past school year). These routines feel like a lot of work and may be difficult to enforce but they give kids stability that they are missing because they’re not at school.
#3 - Adjust your expectations
Kiddos spend the majority of the year in school (even though it may feel like they’re always at home) - as a result they learn to adjust themselves to the expectations of the school, get their energy and mood up for that environment and have enough steam to get through the days. Now that they’re home a lot (or maybe full-time) they are struggling. Being out of routine, missing seeing their friends daily, no longer seeing teachers and other support staff, not eating in the same place, or following that particular schedule - they are bound to be out of sorts. So it’s important to adjust yourself as they try to adjust themselves. There is a learning curve for both of you.
I hope these tips help you get through the summer, and if you have anything to add please let me know.
