Advertisement While it is traditionally a time to sit back and relax a bit, parents of school-age children may face new or different stresses during the summer. Since school is not occupying your child's time, there are now different child-care issues. There may be transportation issues for summertime activities.
These types of stresses can be overcome successfully when you make some plans to deal with those issues. Prevent Child Abuse of Iowa offers parents 10 suggestions to relieve summertime stress:
-- Get some exercise. It is the No. 1 thing that will reduce stress, both physically and mentally.
-- Ask for help. If you are stressed out, ask a relative, friend, or neighbor for help with temporary babysitting, providing transportation, or even routine child care.
-- Be optimistic. Identify the positive aspects of a situation and look for solutions instead of focusing on negatives and problems.
-- Set realistic expectations for yourself. Expecting overnight solutions to big challenges will only create feelings of failure. Celebrate small successes toward resolution.
-- Have realistic expectations for others, particularly children. Conflict and stress often occur when parents have higher expectations for their children than what may be developmentally appropriate for their age.
-- Address and deal with what you can control, not what you can't.
-- Do your research. Find how-to/self-help books at your local library. Look online at parenting resources. Use Google to get help by keying in a few words about your particular struggle or challenge.
-- Be flexible. Flexibility adds to your family resilience which will help in times of stress.
-- Take a parenting class. Many local child abuse prevention councils offer parent education and support groups.
-- Make plans for family fun. Get outdoors. Have a cookout. Go to the beach. Take a walk. Hunt for butterflies. Go bird watching. Your plans don't have to be elaborate or expensive. Half the fun is the anticipation of looking forward to something so involve everyone in making the plans several days in advance.
Some parents may not be thrilled with having their kids and those of the neighborhood around the house all the time and complaining, "We're bored." Some suggested activities for children complaining of summer boredom include:
-- Exercise: walking, running, biking, swimming, playing outdoor games
-- Self expression: drawing, creating, journaling, gardening. It has been shown that kids who learn about gardening, plant vegetables, care for the garden, harvest and cook the food will eat all the vegetables they grow. What a great summer project for the whole family!
-- Music: sing, dance, and go to concerts. There are often free summer concerts available in the local parks or at local festivals.
-- Social activities: do something fun with friends who also have children. Summer activities for children are also often available through community celebrations, youth projects, schools and local organizations such as the Y. Share the transportation of the kids with friends or neighbors.
Are you planning to take some time off work? Taking time off from work can provide a much needed break; it can give you rest and relaxation. Vacations can be exciting and exhilarating. Vacations can leave you feeling energized. And when it is time to return to work, hopefully you will have enjoyed your time off and ready to enjoy the rest of the summer with renewed energy.
Judy Aufenthie writes a regular online column about healthy living and wellness. If you have questions for her, send them to trindfleisch@lacrossetribune.com, or (608) 791-8227
