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Summertime provides many opportunities for children to relax from the rigors of school and enjoy time with their families. However, the summertime break from school can also mean a loss of structure in a child’s routine and decreased interactions with their peers, which can negatively impact their mental health. For example, loneliness, anxiety, and depression can increase during the summer when a child no longer has the educational and social protective factors to rely on during the school year.

It’s important to recognize that supporting our children’s mental health is as critical in the summer as when school is in session. This is especially true for Hispanic/Latino children, since they are less likely to receive mental health care compared to other groups of youth.

Here are some tips to help support your child’s mental health during the summer.

Communication

As in all relationships, communication is key to establishing a genuine connection with our children and supporting their mental health during the summer. Communication needs to be two-way; parent and child should be able to express their thoughts and feelings to each other. For example, “I want to share with you what my feelings are about this summer and what I am looking forward to, but first I want to hear how you are feeling about this summer. What things are you looking forward to this summer?”

Taking this time to genuinely listen to your child’s thoughts and feelings will help them know that you are there for them and care about their thoughts and feelings. Keep in mind that children are very perceptive, so avoid multitasking when your children are speaking to you, provide them with your attention.

After you have listened and reflected on what your child has to say, have them listen to what you have to say; this helps your child see that even adults need someone to talk to about their thoughts and feelings. Establishing this healthy form of communication is a cornerstone for mental health.

Setting Reasonable Expectations

Setting reasonable expectations for your child based on their level of understanding is a key component of supporting children’s mental health during the summer. Communicating clear, reasonable expectations via two-way communication provides your child a sense of what is expected and reduces the risk of misunderstandings. There will be times when, despite clear communication, our children might not meet expectations. In such cases, it’s important for parents to work with their child, as a team, to figure out what factors contributed to not meeting expectations and how to change. As you do this, acknowledge the good work your child has done in the past to meet expectations and emphasize you want to work together to figure out what happened.

Sometimes it may be necessary to enact a consequence; the consequence needs to be reasonable and clear. Avoid saying “You are grounded until I say so…” It is better to be clear, for example, “I know this is not easy to hear, but you are being grounded for the next two days.” It is also important to let your child know that although they did not meet expectations this time, you still care for them.

Physical Activities, Screen Time, and Food Security

Play dates at the playground or summer sports camps are some examples of ways to keep your child physically active during the summer. Options include family walks in a park or other family activities offered by your local park and recreation department.

What about screen time usage? Setting limits on screen time, such as having mealtimes with no screens, and turning off devices and removing them from children’s rooms 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime are important practices. Additionally, parents should lead by example. If your child sees you preoccupied with your device, they may mirror your behavior, so although it can be hard you should model healthy screen use for your child.

What about food during the summer? Food insecurity is a constant reality for some children and their families, especially during the summer, when children no longer have breakfast and lunch guaranteed at school. The non-profit organization, Feeding America, has found that Hispanic/Latino youth are two times more likely to face food insecurity. Food insecurity not only potentially harms a child’s physical health, but also their mental health. Visiting a local food bank, searching for food summer programs funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or inquiring if the local school district has a summer meal program are some initial avenues to consider when faced with food insecurity. Do your best to provide your child with consistent meals and do not be embarrassed to ask for help.

What Should I Do If I Am Concerned About My Child?

Mental health stigma and being embarrassed to ask for help contributes to Hispanic/Latino children being less likely to receive help, so the first thing to remember is that no concern or question is too small. Reach out to your primary care or mental health clinician for an evaluation. In general, they will ask you about your child’s behavior, your concerns and questions, and what changes if any have you noticed. They will also speak to your child to get their input. Once they have completed the evaluation they can provide you with recommendations and resources.

Resources and Help

• Summer Mental Health Activities, Crisis Text Line
• Summer Meals Programs & Site Finder, USDA, Food and Nutrition Administration
• Screen Time & Social Media Guidance, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Finding Food and Resources, Feeding America

Crisis and immediate support:

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline  - Call or text “988”