Summer can be a welcome break for children, teens, and families. It can mean more time outside, more time with friends, more family activities, and a slower pace after a busy school year.
But for some children, summer can also be a big change.
The school year often provides things like routine, social connection, meals, trusted adults, and predictable expectations. When that structure changes, some children adjust quickly. Others may struggle with the loss of their routine, changes in sleep, increased screen time, separation from school supports, or less consistent social interaction.
“Summer introduces new opportunities for socialization and emotional development,” said Bill Howell, Director of Children’s Services at Crawford County Mental Health Center. “Without the classroom structure setting, kids often have to find ways to self-regulate. This can happen in healthy ways, but some kids self-regulate in ways that may not be healthy.”
Not every hard day means a child needs extra support. Kids can have bad days. They can get bored, upset, tired, or frustrated.
But when those changes last, get worse, or start to affect daily life, it may be time to reach out.
Why summer can be hard for some kids
Many children do their best when they know what to expect. During the school year, their days often follow a familiar rhythm: wake up, get ready, go to school, eat lunch, come home, complete homework, attend activities, and go to bed.
Summer can make that harder.
Bedtimes may change. Meals may happen at different times. Friends may be harder to see. Parents may still be working while children are home more often. Some children may miss the support they receive at school, including teachers, counselors, and case managers.
For kids who struggle with things such as anxiety, attention, behavior, trauma, or big changes in routine, summer may feel even harder. Children do not always have the words to explain that they feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to expect. Instead, they may communicate those feelings through irritability, withdrawal, clinginess, outbursts, or changes in sleep and appetite.
Signs your child may be struggling
Parents and caregivers know their child best. One of the biggest things to watch for is a change in how your child usually acts.
For younger children, signs may include:
- More tantrums or big emotional reactions
- More anger or irritability
- More fear, worry, or clinginess
- Trouble sleeping or more nightmares
- Sleeping much more than usual
- Frequent stomachaches or headaches
- Not wanting to play
- Trouble getting along with other kids
- Going back to behaviors they had outgrown
- Big reactions to small changes in plans
For older children and teens, signs may include:
- Pulling away from family or friends
- Losing interest in things they used to enjoy
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Eating much more or much less than usual
- Low energy
- Ongoing sadness
- More anger or mood swings
- More worry or panic
- Avoiding normal activities
- Risky behavior
- Substance use
- Talking about feeling hopeless, worthless, or like a burden
- Self-harm or thoughts of suicide
Some children will not say they are struggling. Instead, parents may notice that something feels different. Their child may seem more withdrawn, more upset, harder to calm, or less interested in things they normally enjoy.
What parents can try at home
For some children, small changes at home can make summer feel more manageable.
Here are a few things parents can try:
Create a simple routine.
Every day does not have to be the same. But a few regular parts of the day can help. This could include a wake-up time, mealtimes, outdoor time, quiet time, and bedtime.
Use a simple schedule.
Some kids like to see what is coming next. A written list, picture schedule, or simple plan for the day can help.
Give warnings before changes.
Instead of ending an activity all at once, try giving a warning. You might say, “In 10 minutes, we are going to clean up and leave.”
Keep sleep as steady as possible.
Sleep can affect mood, behavior, and focus. Summer sleep does not have to be perfect, but a regular bedtime and wake-up time can help.
Make time to connect.
A few minutes of calm attention can help a child feel supported. This could be a walk, reading together, playing outside, cooking, or talking without distractions.
Balance screen time with other activities.
Screens can be part of summer, but kids also need sleep, movement, time outside, and time with others.
Give your child time to adjust.
A hard first week of summer does not always mean something is wrong. But if the struggle continues, gets worse, or affects daily life, it may be time to reach out.
When should parents reach out?
It can be hard to know when something is just a rough patch and when it may be something more.
A helpful question is:
Is this affecting my child’s daily life?
If your child’s mood or behavior lasts for several weeks, causes stress for your child or family, or gets in the way of home life, friendships, summer programs, or daily routines, it may be time to ask for help.
Parents do not have to wait until things reach a crisis point. If something feels concerning, it is okay to ask questions. Reaching out early can help families better understand what kind of support may be helpful.
Parents should seek help right away if a child talks about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else, talks about suicide, or is not safe.
If there is an immediate safety concern, call or text 988, call 911 in a life-threatening emergency, or call Crawford County Mental Health Center’s Crisis SAVE Line at 620-232-SAVE (7283).
How Crawford County Mental Health Center can help
Crawford County Mental Health Center offers a range of Children’s Services to support children, teens, and families. Services may include outpatient therapy, case management, psychosocial group support through Challenger or Discovery, medication management when appropriate, crisis services, and other supports based on the child’s needs.
Learn more about the available Children’s Services at: https://crawfordmentalhealth.org/childrens-services/
To start services, families can visit our Same Day Access walk-in clinic at 3101 N. Michigan in Pittsburg. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and no appointment is needed. During Same Day Access, families talk with a member of our team about what they are experiencing, ask questions, and discuss what support may be most helpful.
Learn more about Same Day Access at: https://crawfordmentalhealth.org/same-day-access/
If you have questions before coming in, please call 620-231-5130 to speak with a member of our team, or reach out via our online contact form.
If your child or teen is struggling this summer, you are not alone. Help is available, and reaching out early can be an important step toward helping your child feel supported.