Believe it or not, summer is quickly approaching.
While this is an exciting time for your children, especially as they no longer have to wake up early for school, it does mean that you have your work cut out for you. After all, you’ll now have to keep them entertained throughout the day, while also ensuring that they are sticking to a healthy lifestyle.
With that in mind, here are some top tips for keeping your kids happy and healthy this summer!
Prepare for rainy days. While the sun is a frequent visitor during the summer, you should make sure that you prepare for rainy days. Otherwise, you’ll find that you’ll be dealing with endless complaints of boredom when they are stuck inside for hours on end. Fortunately, there are many activities that you can rely on during rainy days. For example, you could play brain training games, turn your home into a cinema and have a movie night, or even visit the local museum. In a case, having a few options to choose from will keep everyone happy.
Encourage them to stay hydrated. As the weather gets a lot warmer during the summer months, you should make sure that your child is well-hydrated. Otherwise, they may quickly begin to feel under the weather, complaining about headaches and nausea. If getting them to drink water is a real struggle, consider investing in hydration popsicles instead.
Don’t forget sunscreen. Another way in which you can ensure that your kids are happy and healthy all summer long is by applying sunscreen each day (and topping it up whenever you are spending extended periods outdoors).
Make sure they are still getting enough sleep. While your children may be keen to stay up late during the holidays, you should still ensure that they are getting enough sleep. After all, this ensures that they then have enough energy to get through the day, which is a must if you have plenty of fun activities planned. In addition to this, straying too far from their typical sleep schedule will make it much harder for them to return to it once term starts up again.
Plan a little getaway or trip. If you’re able to do so, planning a trip or holiday during this time is another great way to bring a smile to their face(s). After all, it means that they get to experience all of the joys of travel, including learning more about the world around them. If you’re currently on a tight budget, don’t worry, you can easily plan a memorable family trip without spending all that much money. For example, you could go camping instead of staying in a hotel.
Ensure they stay active. While children tend to be pretty active, the summer is often the time when they slow down a little. After all, it means that they are not attending gym class, and many extracurricular clubs pause during this time. As such, you should encourage them to stay as active as possible during this time. For example, you may want to go out for daily walks (or even runs) together as a family, or do a few workouts in your backyard.
Talk about their goals for the next school year. A new school year can be daunting, which means that it will likely be playing on your kids’ minds during this time. You can ease their worries and anxieties by talking to them about this and helping them put goals in place for the new year. For example, they may want to work toward certain grades, or to get better at doing and handing in their homework on time. Either way, having you there to put plans in place with them will make a real, positive difference, as it shows them that you always have their back.
If, during these conversations, you begin to notice that your child may be struggling with your mental health, you can start to put plans in place to support them. For example, you could find a therapist who can help them develop healthier coping mechanisms or get to the root of their issues. In doing so, you’re empowering them to take good care of themselves and feel more confident than ever when the first day of term arrives.
Final thoughts. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that you’re doing your best to keep your kids happy and healthy this summer (and beyond). In doing so, you can all take a step back and enjoy the summer season, making the most of every minute you have together.
