May is one of the best times of year. The sun is out until 8:00, and it’s warm enough to run around in shorts and a t-shirt all day long! However, May also means school is wrapping up and activities are in full force. That can be overwhelming for your kids (and you!), so here are some tips for coping with this busy time.
Your kids still need sleep.
Ensure your kids get lots of rest. I know it’s tempting to let them ride their bikes in the street until it gets dark, but they need sleep. They still have a long day of school ahead of them the following day. Summer will be here in a few weeks, and then you can banish bedtime whenever you want!
Don’t overload the calendar.
Try to limit activities. If your kids look like their heads are spinning, consider cutting something out. Ask the coach if they can they afford to miss a practice. Maybe that sleepover isn’t such a good idea right now—you can reschedule for June.
It ain’t over ’til it’s over.
Don’t check out until it’s time to check out. Kids thrive on routine. If your schedule is to practice spelling words every Thursday, stick with it. Letting them slack on their responsibilities only hurts them in the long run, and it sends the wrong message.
Practice stress management techniques.
What works for your kids? Time alone to decompress? A walk? Exercise? Meditation? You know your kids better than anyone—figure out what calms them down and use that method a little bit more as school comes to a close.
Plan ahead.
Keep your calendar updated. If you or your kids are overwhelmed, try tackling one project per day (or week) and then cross completed ones off as you go. Avoid letting things pile up so you are not facing more than you can handle at once. If your kids don’t have their own calendar, now might be the time to set one up. Let them write down each day’s tasks and events so they can feel more in control of their busy schedules.
Communicate.
Talk to your kids. Talk to their teachers. Keep the lines of communication open. At this time of year when 100 papers are coming home in their backpacks every day, be diligent about following up, asking questions, clarifying what needs to be done. Ask your kids how they are doing. Do they need a break? Or are they hanging in there okay, prepared to push through until the end?
Be patient.
Cut your kids some slack if they seem overwhelmed. They may be a bit short with you. This might be the time to let a snide comment or two slide until the dust settles. They may forget their lunch or library books more often. Your children have quite a bit swimming through their heads right now, so try to keep that in mind and do your best to practice patience.
Help your child cope with change.
Remember that your child may be anxious about the change that summer brings—he won’t see his friends as often, he may be sad about having to say good-bye to his teacher. Work on preparing for that. Set up summer playdates and camps with friends. Make a thank you gift for his teacher and ask her if he can write to her this summer (some teachers even offer to meet at a park or for lunch if kids are really struggling with missing them). Let him write down his favorite memories from the school year and share them with her as a way to say thank you.
And remember, if the world won’t stop spinning, hold on! It’s almost summer.
Olathe mom Karen Johnson has three children, ages 6, 4 and 2. She writes at The21stCenturySAHM.com.