5 Tips For Surviving Summer – ADHD Edition

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I’m excited to bring you this guest post today from my friend Lindsay Leiviska. Lindsay is a podcaster, blogger, and homeschool mom of 3 (2 biological & 1 adopted). She founded her blog, A Heart For All Students , with the mission to equip moms to homeschool and parent outside-the-box kids (ADHD, ASD, SPD, etc.) to thrive as those God has created them to be.

You did it!  It’s the end of the school year and summer is just around the corner.  You can almost taste the freedom. 

Wait.  What’s that?   Uh. Oh.  Summer’s coming.  

You know that you should be rejoicing, but there’s also a pit growing in your stomach because summer’s coming.

Freedom Is Good & Bad

While summer often means freedom from formal academics, that same freedom can lead to some serious lack of structure.  And if you’re raising an outside-the-box child (ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, OCD, ODD, or no acronym at all) you know how critical that structure is.  

Girlfriend, I hear you LOUD and CLEAR.  So today, I’m sharing 5 simple tips to help you create a healthy rhythm for you and the kids this summer.

Let’s get started. 

1. Get To Know Your Child’s Passions

Kids with ADHD (did you know there are actually 7 types of ADHD?), autism or anxiety often receive messages that tell them there’s something inherently wrong with them.  As moms, we can find ourselves in a cycle of constant demands on our kids. 

“Get your shoes on.”

“Clean your room.”  

“Get working on your math.”

It’s the truth, right?   

So to offset this dynamic, make a goal to spend intentional time with your child doing what your child likes to do.  Aim for 3-5 times a week. Even ten minutes can make such a difference.

• Literally only do what your child likes to do.
• Allow your child to take the lead.  
• You follow.  
• Let your child talk on and on about his or her latest obsession.  
• Really listen and engage by asking questions.

Use Hyperfocus To Your Advantage

Kids with Autism, ADHD or other cognitive differences can become hyperfocused on their areas of interest.  Use that passion to connect with your child.  

By spending time playing your child’s favorite video game or simply listening to them talk incessantly about their favorite superhero, your child will feel connected and valued by you. 

This gives you the power of relationship and influence in your child’s life.  Kids who feel valued for who they are- apart from performing what the adults around them want them to do- are more internally motivated to honor non-preferred (school, chores, etc.) requests.  

I dive deeply into the power of influence with our outside-the-box kids in my book, Behind the Behavior.  

2. Scripture Memory Fun 

The summer is such a great time to incorporate little pockets of intentional scripture memory into your daily rhythm. 

Use this scripture memory work system to easily memorize scripture while having a ton of fun.  In just five minutes a day (your kids will likely want to do it longer), you and your kids can memorize the Bible and have a blast.

Music, rhythm, movements and God’s Word can’t be beat!

Grab the FREE Scripture Memory Work Plan and have fun!

3. Make Traveling Fun & Safe 

If you have to travel, mentally preparing your child can make all the difference.  

I always recommend bringing some of your child’s normal routine and familiarity with you.

• Bring snacks and other food items your child is used to and enjoys.

• Wherever you’re staying, be sure to set up a safe and quiet private space for your child to decompress after energy draining activities.

• Be willing to disappoint extended family and friends in favor of honoring the needs of your child.  God chose YOU to parent your child.  No one else on earth loves or knows your child better than you.  Trust God’s decision.  

Your child will remember that you are and have been their safe place.  The last thing we want is for our kids to grow up believing that what they need doesn’t matter.  Teaching our children to know their limits is essential for their long-term well-being.  

4. Life Skills or Subject Areas 

Another way to capture the summer 

time is to focus on specific life skills or subject areas.  Think about the priorities you have for your child.  What skills or experiences do you want him to have?

• Money management:  Perhaps your child takes a Dave Ramsey class or other class on Outschool?
  
• Nutrition: ADHD kids often struggle with sugar and carb cravings.  Add that to an often limited diet and there’s a lot of room for improvement.  Is there a fun way to learn about nutrition and food choices?  Utilize your child’s areas of interest and pair them with the concept of learning about nutrition. 
  
• Social Skills or Interest-Based Club:  Many moms of neurodiverse kids worry about their child’s social skills.  Instead of sending your child to a specialized social skills group which is often expensive and limiting, set up a small “club” or class to meet at your home once a week.   Start small with 4-week sessions. 
  
  • Book club
  • Video game club
  • Superhero club
  • Sketching club
  • Role-playing or board game clubs

When children connect over a shared interest, it makes all the difference.  I’ve held a character-based drawing class at my home for years.  I hired an illustration major from the local college to facilitate.  Then I sent out a message on the local online homeschool community boards.   I knew that if I worded it right and gave these kids the opportunity, they would come.  And they sure did!  

5. Family Game Weeks

One last fun way to create structure and routine into your summer season is a play on “family game night”.  Choose one new board game each week to enjoy as a family (here are some of my top choices for best ADHD games).  Note that I said “Enjoy.”  

Many kids with executive functioning issues struggle with working memory and low frustration tolerance.  This is not their fault and is often a brain-based response that needs support to change. 

Be willing to modify the rules ahead of time so that each child has a fighting chance to win.  

• Partner family members in pairs, 
• Choose a way to play that involves turn taking instead of winning

In the end, focus on creating a safe and fun environment.  When your child starts to become frustrated, take a deep breath and remind yourself that they’re learning and growing.   Focus on connection and relationship above the “rules.”  Relationship first.  Always. 

Summer, Some Structure & A Good Rhythm

OK, Friend. Go forward and capture the summer season with your family.  Hope these 5 summer activity options help you balance the open terrain of summer with the protective boundaries of a daily rhythm.   

For more ideas and support as you homeschool and raise your outside-the-box child, connect with Lindsay at aheartforallstudents.com

This guest post is part of the Homeschool Summer Fun Series. Make sure to check out the series landing page to learn more about the series and find all of the posts in one place!