Hi everyone, its Sue here!
Ahead of the summer holidays, I wanted to share some tips that are particularly useful for children who have experienced trauma.
It is important to change your idea about holidays.
Previously it may have meant rest, relaxation and a break from routine but when caring for a child who has suffered trauma, there can be no real break in routine and often challenges and behaviours seen at home can be magnified when on holiday.
Keep to your routine as much as you possibly can and plan.
Family planner to help your children keep to routines and boundaries
Invest in a wipe off planner for either monthly or weekly planning and keep it where it can be seen
Use different colours for each child and ensure that each child has something written down for every day, morning and afternoon so that they know what they are doing
Support for routines in summer holidays
You may be staying home or going away but it is important to establish a holiday routine.
There will be less pressure than school days and your child will be able to relax much more if they can continue to see their plan and have boundaries in place.
If you are planning a holiday away don’t share the details too soon.
The longer your child has to think about it the longer they have for anxiety to build or even to escalate their behaviours.
help your children keep to routines and boundaries this summer
support routines for children during the summer holidays
If you are flying why not visit the airport for a day out prior to leaving but not connect it to the holiday.
Self catering could be the better option as you can keep familiar routines and the children can have their own space.
It could be that returning to the same place for the first few years is helpful.
A holiday may not feel like a holiday to you so plan a little respite time in for you too!
More information can be found in Sarah Naish’s book ‘The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting’ which is recommended on the YAA resource list which you can download from our members section!
More support on this can also be found at Home for Good. Specifically this, if you are considering an abroad holiday this summer.
The YAA team are always at the end of the phone if you need further advice.
Enjoy your summer!
Sue, Adoption Support Co-Ordinator, She Her