Summertime Fun- Yay!

Dear Parent,

Just a reminder: attachment challenged children are easily stressed. They are even stressed when having fun.  Stress causes their judgment and emotion regulation to shut down, turning fun activities to be enjoyed into challenging fiascos to endure.  

Here are some thoughts on reducing YOUR stress when taking the kids for a little fun:

• It helps to adjust your own expectations of an event.  It might not last too long or you may not get to see the end. That's okay.  Who cares?  Make up an ending on the way home.
• Make room in your world view for over-excited melt downs, loud voices, clumsy encounters, spilled drinks, torn clothes, bumped heads, poor boundaries, and, finally, the grumbling when everyone is hot, tired, and hungry again.
• Snacks are everything.  Bring water and healthy eats, so sugar doesn't over-take everyone's mood.  Bring some you like.
• Recover your joy of simple things:  picnics in the park, walks around the neighborhood, running through the sprinkler, finger painting outside, playing jacks, telling stories, camping in the backyard, camping in the living room, making forts to sleep in, rock collecting by the river, bike riding, swimming at the community pool, going to the drive in theatre, eating popcorn, making popcorn balls, roasting s'more in the backyard fire-pit, sing out-loud, crank up some oldies and teach your kids to dance, make paper-airplanes, start a puzzle, color together, make a story book together, play together without the rules.
• Did I mention keep it simple?  Kids often don't appreciate elaborate, over-the-top, time-consuming, over-planned, expensive experiences.  Their lack of appreciation for your effort can be the easiest way to send the fun south. Don't take the bait. Keep it simple. Decide to have some fun no matter what. 

Having fun with your kids is a decision.

Love matters,

Ce

P.S. Check out the Love Matters Parenting Society membership for more support.