Children's Post-Pandemic Summer Anxiety

Source: Image by Bessi from Pixabay

This school year has undoubtedly been one of the most trying and stressful ones that many of us have experienced. As parents who have watched their children struggle with the school year, you may feel that with the emergence of summer, your kids no longer have a care in the world. Some relief comes with the end of school, especially the end of an unprecedented school year where many kids did not set foot in a classroom, but don’t assume that these hot months are entirely carefree. This time of year can be a source of stress for young people.

Why Summer Can Be Stressful For Kids

Children may have anxiety-producing thoughts and worries that are unique to the summer. It can be a busy time. Barbeques, summer camps, and other activities often lead a child to interface with unfamiliar people. For some kids, this can be exciting; for others, it can feel overwhelming. This is especially true after a school year that was more isolated and lacked spontaneous social interaction.

Even for those who returned to their school building this past year, social distancing, mask-wearing, and smaller class sizes made school feel very different – both academically and socially. At the same time, many kids are excited for life to feel more normal and see their friends again. Some worry about whether they will remember spending time with friends and acquaintances IRL (that’s ‘In Real Life').

How To Help Kids Work Through Summer Anxiety

All of this means that summer may not be quite as relaxing for our kids as we like to think that it is. There are several things that parents can do to support their kids who may be anxious. Here are some tips for how to keep your child’s summer worries in check:

Keep a schedule.

They may fight against it, but children thrive on the consistency and predictability that a routine provides. When kids know what to expect, they tend to feel more in control because they are not constantly thinking about the possibilities of what might come next. This does not have to be rigid; even a loosely organized schedule can be comforting for kids. The most important part of a routine is a regular sleep schedule.

According to Kids Health, school-aged children (5 to 12-years-old) need 9 and 12 hours of sleep, and teenagers need 8 to 10 hours. Additionally, kids should go to sleep and wake up at approximately the same time every night. Yes, this includes weekends.

For the rest of the schedule, consider giving your child some options. Kids appreciate choices, but too many can be overwhelming and therefore anxiety-provoking. You can include blocks in the day that generally specify what your child can do and then provide options. This can look something like: 9 am-10 am – Play Outside. Options: Ride bike, Scooter, Go to the park. It can also be beneficial to include a time for kids to relax. You can name this ‘chill time’ or ‘free time.

Play around with the schedule, be flexible, and consider your child’s natural energy rhythm. For example, if they are energized first thing in the morning, that would be an excellent time to play outside. If they take a while to get going at the start of the day, that may be a better time to do some reading. Don’t forget to ask for your child’s input, which will help them feel in control. All of this can help reduce worries.

Strive to be social and keep engaged.

COVID made it easy for us to do almost everything online. Over time, we became comfortable with being at home, communicating with others only through a screen. While some online interactions can be good, we don’t want to rely on them for all of our social time. If you sense that your child is experiencing some in-person social anxiety, give them opportunities to practice. COVID is still a concern for many parents, so do whatever you feel comfortable with.

Host an outdoor playdate, meet up with friends at the pool, or do an after-dinner ice cream meetup (ice cream makes everything better). Start with one-on-one playdates, allowing your child to pick who they want to see and what they want to do. Encourage and provide support for in-person meetups so your child feels more and more comfortable throughout the summer, which will likely lead to more comfort when the school year begins.

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Get support sooner rather than later.

If the suggestions above helped, but your child is still really struggling with anxiety, contact a professional. Summer is an excellent time for kids to engage in therapy. Schedules are typically more flexible for everyone. During the school year, you may have needed a specific session time, but there tend to be more options in the summer.

Additionally, it is an excellent idea for kids to learn and practice new skills because there is often less pressure. It can empower a child to walk in on the first day of school knowing that they have several coping skills that can be used when necessary. Even if the therapist you contact has a full schedule, they may be able to put you in touch with someone available or put you on a waiting list. That way, you are not starting from square one if school proves to be challenging in the Fall.

Even with its challenges, summer can be a wonderful time for kids and families. Summer anxiety is inevitable for some kids, but there are ways to work through it. With these tips, you and your child are well on your way to having the summer that you deserve!