Contact, a charity for families with disabled children, has pulled together 5 summer holiday tips from parent carers to help you navigate what can be a tricky time of the year.
Here they are:
- Stick to some form of routine: Whether that’s going to bed and getting up at the same time, or even eating meals at the same time during the day. Some level of routine will help to keep children calm and feel safe during the upheaval of the holidays.
- Take each day as it comes: Some days will be more eventful than others, but don’t feel under pressure to make it a thrilling and exciting time. Take each day as it comes and be flexible.
- Embrace your child’s preferences: Embrace doing whatever makes your child feel happy and contented, even if that means spending an increased amount of time on iPads or tablets. Pick your battles.
- Use social stories and visual timetables: Using something visual that children and even adults can refer back to can help increase calm and feeling of security, reducing anxiety.
- Comparison is the thief of joy: Everybody’s family is different, don’t feel pressured by what you see on social media or what are perceived as “expectations” for days out. Do what is best for you and yours.
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