Surviving Summer with ADHD Tweens and Teens at Home

Summer break is here and suddenly, parents of tweens and teens with ADHD are trading school stress for a whole new batch of challenges. Whether your child has endless energy that needs to be channeled, or they prefer to be glued to their device or video games, summer can be hard for parents to navigate. But with the right mindset and realistic expectations, you can make it through the dog says of summer. So load up on snacks, patience, and a sense of humor because summer is here — whether we're ready or not.

School's Out. Now What?

Summer can be tricky for parents of tweens and teens with ADHD. In the words of my grandmother "idle hands make the devil's work." Simply meaning, the lack of structure and routine during school breaks can make restlessness and behavioral issues more common. Even with summer camps and other activities, many parents find that their kids are home more hours each day over the summer.

I guess grandma was right. This homemade pulley system was the result of idle hands and a lot of YouTube engineering videos. Not pictured: Rollerblades hanging from the ceiling fan.

Establish a (Flexible) Routine

A routine is key for managing ADHD over the summer. Though it’s tempting to let the days just unfold, a loose structure provides the stability your child needs. The key is to not overcomplicate it.

• First, start with consistent wake-up and bedtimes. It’ll help regulate your child’s internal clock and ensure they’re getting enough z’s. Remember, sleep is crucial for keeping ADHD symptoms in check. And if your child has a tendency to hyperfocus on screens, they probably won't recognize if they're tired and could stay up way later than they even realize.

• Next, plan daily schedules that blend structured and free time. This can include morning chores, summer reading, and outside time. You'd be amazed what getting outdoors can do for a mood booster! Be consistent with a schedule, yet adaptable. If it's not realistic, it won't happen. If you need help getting started, here's a free downloadable ADHD-friendly summer schedule.

• And finally, encourage exercise! Physical activity helps burn off extra energy and boosts focus. Think swimming, biking, or just a daily walk around the neighborhood. Literally, anything that gets them moving works.

  
  

  

  Get your free download of this ADHD-friendly summer schedule here.

The Screen Time Struggle is Real

With today’s digital world, managing screen time is a major source of anxiety for lots of parents.

It helps to set clear boundaries for screen time. Maybe limit it to certain hours or set a daily cap. Make sure to communicate these limits clearly and stick to them. Your kids will likely revolt at first, but stay strong!

Also, consider using screen time as a reward for completing other tasks. It can motivate them to explore a variety of experiences each day. Have them make a list of things they can do that aren't on screens. Who knows, maybe they'll finally build that lego set you bought them last Christmas.

Let Go of the Guilt

Social media and TV commercials can make summer seem like a picture-perfect season filled with vacations, family bonding and pool parties. In real life, many of our summers are not as picturesque and carefree. We're all doing our best to balance jobs with parenting and being —and raising—decent humans. And for those of us with neurodivergent kids, that can look very different than what we see online and even from friends and family.

Hopefully you found some of these ideas helpful and can implement them at home this summer.

Final tip? Let's make the most of the summer with our amazing kids, whatever that looks like!