Full access
Professional News
Published Online: 4 August 2006

Living's Not Always Easy For Kids in Summertime

Eve BenderAuthors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 41, Number 15
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.41.15.0008
For many people, summer is a time to unwind, relax, and travel. Although the summer may also be an exciting time for children, summer activities such as camp and vacation or the advent of a new school year can often be anxiety provoking for them.
To help parents ensure that their children enjoy these new experiences with minimal stress, APA has issued a number of tips on its Web site for the public, HealthyMinds.org.
It is not uncommon for children to experience anxiety related to being away from home. Specific worries may surface around traveling long distances or getting lost.
Suggestions to parents who are traveling with children include helping children understand a little bit about vacation spots, where they are located, and how the family will get there.
It is important to keep children occupied with books and games on long plane or car trips, the site points out.
It can also be reassuring for children who are traveling to have their parents establish some sort of routine and to ensure that they have with them familiar items from home such as a stuffed animal or blanket.
More than 10 million children attend summer camp each year, and while summer camp can be an enriching and educational experience, it can also provoke worry in children of various ages.
Homesickness, for instance, “is a normal reaction to being away from family and friends, especially for the first time,” according to HealthyMinds.org.
Simply telling kids to be strong, for instance, can worsen the situation.“ Instead, be supportive, reassuring, and consistent,” the site advises parents. “Tell them that you understand that it's hard to be away from home and that you miss them, too.”
Scheduling phone calls or visits may also be helpful.
Starting school for the first time can be another stressful experience for many children.
“Anxiety about starting school usually passes within the first few days or weeks,” said David Fassler, M.D., an APA trustee and a child and adolescent psychiatrist, in a press release posted on the HealthyMinds Web site. “However, if kids are having excessive or ongoing difficulties (for example, problems sleeping, frequent temper tantrums, reluctance or refusal to go to school), further evaluation may be needed.”
Tips on children's mental health are posted at<www.healthyminds.org>.▪

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 41 • Number 15 • August 4, 2006
Pages: 8

History

Published online: 4 August 2006
Published in print: August 4, 2006

Notes

Summer offers adults the chance to break from routine, but for children, this break can be stressful. APA's consumer Web site offers parents useful tips on helping children enjoy this time of year.

Authors

Affiliations

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

There are no citations for this item

View Options

View options

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.