For many the thought of the school holidays can be very stressful, due to the lack of structure and change in routines, having a big impact on those in the family with ADHD.
We have put together a few key areas that will help the school holidays to be less stressful and more enjoyable.
Routine
One of the biggest challenges with the school holidays is the change or lack of routine. However, just because there is no school doesn’t mean there has to be no routine. There are things that can remain the same such as morning routines, time for homework, time for activities, bedtime routines and meal times. Make sure to share this routine with your children, so they know the expectations and also so they have the reassurance that not everything is changing. You could also display the routine for the children to refer to easily, for example, in the kitchen or bedroom. This will particularly help children with ADHD to learn about organisation and planning, as well as helping them to take on a sense of responsibility for their timetable.
Plan in advance
Where possible, plan in advance, and involve your kids in the decision making process, so that you and your family know what they are going to be doing. If you’re going to be doing a fun activity or spending some time outdoors, it’s good to let everyone know in advance so that they know what to expect. This may help to avoid any potential tantrums or anxiety.
That said, this doesn’t mean that you need a perfectly structured day with no flexibility. Being adaptable, especially when things don’t go as planned, is a really important skill to develop in life, especially when you have ADHD.
It is also important to plan in some down time as well as all the activities, for both you and the rest of the family.
Be kind to yourself
Try not to put too much pressure on yourself for things to always go perfectly, because inevitably they won’t, but this is absolutely fine. Make time for you, to have that cup of coffee, to call that friend and know that you are doing the best you can.
Planning is important, especially when you have ADHD within your family, however, you can’t plan everything, so do be kind to yourself.
Further help and guidance
If you would like further support with managing symptoms for you or a loved one, then do contact us at the ADHD Centre on 0800 061 4276 or via enquiries@adhdcentre.co.uk for an in-depth ADHD assessment to improve your understanding of the disorder and to know what treatment method is fit for you or them.
You can visit our website for further information and resources.
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