Overscheduling can lead 
to summertime stress

By Peggy J. LeVrier

School is almost out for the summer break. The children are ready to have a change of pace, slow down and enjoy some "down time." Or, will they be involved in so many summertime activities that there will be little or no time for relaxation?

The summertime can be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy family outings together, but overscheduling children's summertime activities can have an adverse affect on their stress level.

Children today seem to have fewer opportunities than those of any other generation had to relax, experts say. Georgia Witkin, director of the stress program at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and author of KidStress says, "Doctors around the country are seeing preschoolers who have ulcers, bite their fingernails, or get tension headaches or stomach aches."

Symptoms of stress can show up in a child's behavior, moods or illness. From a behavioral aspect, a child may begin "acting out" by using inappropriate language or aggressive behavior with other children. Eating habits may also change and stuttering or frequent fidgeting may occur as a result of too much stress in your child's life. In addition, you may also notice a change in sleep habits such as insomnia or a desire to spend too much time in bed. More frequent colds and other viral illnesses are often a sign of a depressed immune system, which can be brought on through stress.

During the school year children have a scheduled life. Therefore, I encourage you to consider some of the following helpful hints to begin to help your child have a relaxing summer:

* Eat a quiet breakfast with your child as you enjoy a pleasant conversation. 
* Let your child know that you are available when you have to be away from them. 
* Let your child see you relax as you listen to music, read, garden or just sit without doing 
   anything. Role modeling relaxation activities will let your child know that taking "time out" 
   is important even when you have many things to do.

Ask open-ended questions about your child's day. For example, ask things like who he ate lunch with, who he saw at the playground or what games he played that day. Peer pressure is one of the top causes of stress in children and asking questions may give you input into how they are handling the pressure.

Have fun with your child each day. Whether you take a walk together, play a board game, build blocks or swing on the swings together, make sure that you spend at least 15 minutes every day having fun with your child. Let him know that it is important to you that you spend time together.

It also is important to maintain a summer routine. Regular mealtimes, bedtimes and other scheduled parts of a child's day assures to him a comforting sense of security and order. Let your child be rambunctious and loud some time each day. Some children just need to "let off steam" and the only way for them is to run or shout "it out." Children burn adrenaline this way and feel better.

Here are some "hands-on," minds-on" summer activities that I recommend: 

* Take weekly trips to the library, museums or the zoo. 
* Go grocery shopping, include the child in the whole process from taking inventory, 
   making the list and checking off the items as she or he puts them in the grocery cart. 
* Keep a summer journal or scrapbook of summer activities. 
* Enjoy weekly cooking experiences. 
* Take weekly park trips. 
* Water activities are fun, inexpensive and relaxing. 
* Provide a lot of art and craft experiences for your child.

You and your child can make a list before the summer starts of things that you both will enjoy together and then chose from that list what you can do. Let this summer be filled with relaxation, love and fun for you and your child.

Peggy LeVrier has served as an early childhood educator for 35 years and is the owner and facilitator of Peggy's Positive Parenting in La Porte. For more parenting information, you can contact her at (281) 748-9176 or pjlevrier@houston.rr.com 

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