Here are my favorite summertime tips for parents of children with special needs. These strategies have worked for me and for countless clients juggling multiple roles and responsibilities during the summer months. You'll be amazed at the difference even just a few of these can make!
1. Do some things the kids want to do. Kids love it when you give them your undivided attention, in an activity of their choosing. Even if it's just 15 or 20 minutes at a time, they'll be delighted to have you all to themselves, on their terms.
2. Do some things you want to do. Including the kids in some of your interests, at whatever level they're capable of, is a great way to spend time together and still do something for you. For example, I love to garden, and there are lots of little gardening jobs my kids can do that are fun for them, and helpful to me. We all go back inside happy: I got to putter in the yard, and they got some time with mom.
3. Sandwich errands between fun stuff. If you have to bring the kids along on errands, alternate between errands and fun places. One example might be "bank, playground, post office, library, grocery store, home for a snack." Let the kids help you plan if possible. You'll come up with all kinds of combinations!
4. Get a few minutes of quiet time each morning. Ideally, get up at least 15 minutes before the kids wake up. That little cushion of time before the day gets into full swing is priceless. Try to take a little quiet time for yourself in the evening, too.
5. Talk at dinnertime about the happy moments from the day. Even if the day was an absolute disaster, do this anyway! Any happy moment counts, no matter how small. It teaches kids to focus on the positive, and helps us to reconnect with the simple joys of being a mom or dad.
6. You need time away from the kids occasionally. Ask sitters, relatives, or friends to babysit. Bartering with other families is another increasingly popular -- and cost effective -- childcare option. Other options might be respite services in your community, high school students looking to accumulate community service hours, or college students needing experience with a child with special needs for their resume. Use your free time to get some exercise, catch up with friends, go out with your spouse or partner, or just have some "you time."
7. Keep a camera with you. Capture every happy moment you can -- no need to wait for special occasions! Some of our cutest pictures of our kids were taken right in our own backyard. Try to get your photos into an album right away. You'll have a collection of joyful moments the whole family will love to look at, long after the summer's over.
Joan Celebi originally founded SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com in her capacity as a certified life coach for parents of children with special needs. Her goal is to give you the practical strategies you need for successfully navigating life as a parent of a child with special needs and helps you create a manageable, balanced, and joyful life, for both you and your family. Visit Joan at http://www.specialneedsparentcoach.com .
You're welcome to reprint this article, as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the contact information at the end), and you send me a copy or link to your reprint at joan@specialneedsparentcoach.com.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
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