Building a Summer Family Routine

For many families, summer is a busy time full of activities and priorities for everyone. However, despite the summer fun, a routine is still important. According to Dr. Peter Gorski of Harvard Medical School, knowing what to expect from daily life can develop a child’s confidence. A regular routine can also lower a child’s stress and help them build self-control.

Try these tips to build a summer routine for your family.

Retain elements of the school-year routine

Your child may have an easier time getting into a summer routine if it contains familiar elements from their school-year routine. For example, you can take a walk around the school area together, maintain the same meal schedules as the school year, or work on art projects together during the summer. If you’d like suggestions on carrying over your child’s favorite school activities to home, you can talk to your child’s teacher. At My Place, we’re honored to have served Katy families since 2009, all year round.

Keep in touch with your child’s friends

Keeping up the fun social environment of the school year is a great way to help your child develop and enjoy their summer routine. Talk to the parents of one or two of your child’s friends and see if you can arrange regular play dates as their own family schedule allows. Summer activities like swimming lessons or art classes are other ways your child can build a routine and be social with their friends.

Create a summer family calendar

A summer family calendar is a quick way for your child to understand what to expect in the near future. This is an ideal activity for the whole family, and it also helps your child find stability. As a family, create a calendar where everyone can see classes, trips, meals, and other important things. Depending on your child’s age, this can be written out or it can use illustrations to represent key events. It’s also a fun way for your child to get involved. Keep this calendar in a place where every family member can see it often.

What should you put in your summer family calendar? This depends on each family and what they want to accomplish. Sit down together and discuss your goals for the summer, both individually and as a family. Everyone is different, but together you can build a summer family calendar and routine that works for you.