School’s out, the sun is shining, and kids are ready for fun, but what about the grown-ups? That shift from structured school days to the freedom of summer can be exciting and overwhelming for everybody but especially for little ones. Children love social interactions and if they lose the opportunity to connect with their friends from school on most days can feel like a major, although temporary, life transition.
Mental health expert Noel McDermott comments: “School is similar to home in psychological terms so what your kids are losing for the summer is their other psychological ‘family’. School relationships fit into the category of tertiary attachments in attachments theory. Understanding this and the role of transition work can help with both the move into summer holidays and the subsequent move back into school”.
This is what you can do to support your children through this big seasonal shift:
1. Keep school friendships going
Just because class is over doesn’t mean your child’s social life has to stop. School friends are more than playmates; they’re part of your child’s emotional support system. So keep the connections going and join in every opportunity to take part in playdates, sleepovers, playground meetups or play and picnic in the park. A softer transition makes family time and any planned holidays much more enjoyable.
2. Get the kids involved in planning
Looking to avoid the “I’m bored” anthem? Let your kids help plan the summer! Whether it’s suggestions for what to watch and snacks for the next movie night or choosing a picnic spot, giving them a voice makes them feel more in control and more likely to go along with the plan.
3. Stick to a routine (yes, even in summer)
It might be tempting to forget about bedtime routine and spend the day doing not much, but kids thrive on structure. Sleep and food routine timings should not be messed with as it help keep the child emotionally balanced. Disrupting them can lead to stress that kids may not even know how to explain it. Bonus: a regular bedtime means some well-earned downtime for you, too.
4. Get outdoors!
London’s parks and gardens and the numerous outdoor playgrounds are like a fast track to better mood and stronger bonds. Whether it’s your garden, a local park, the woods, or the seaside, spending time outdoors is always a win for all so use all opportunities to get out and about. If you have your own garden use it to have all meals outside unless the weather says no!
5. Balance the highs with the lows
Rough and tumble play with children might look like chaos, but it is how children learn and develop emotionally.
Follow every energetic burst with a calm moment and think of each day as a wave, up with activity, down with rest. This rhythm helps kids reset and avoid meltdowns.
6. Make room for connection (and cuddles)
Sometimes the best family moments are when everybody shares the same space: snuggling on the sofa, watching a film, or playing board games. Kids don’t crave perfection, they crave presence. Being together with loved ones, in any form, is what matters most.
Noel McDermott is a psychotherapist and drama therapist with over 30 years of experience in health, social care, education, and criminal justice. His company, Mental Health Works, delivers bespoke mental health support for individuals and organisations. Learn more at www.mentalhealthworks.net
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