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Summer Vacation Tips for Parents: Helping Kids Cope with Summer Transitions: Camp, Travel & Unstructured Time
These changes, even when exciting, can feel overwhelming to children. Some kids may struggle with saying goodbye to a beloved teacher, adjusting to new environments, or managing the lack of daily structure. As a therapy practice that specializes in kids, teens, and families, we understand how common (and manageable!) these challenges can be.
Here’s how you can help your child emotionally prepare—and build resilience through these summer shifts.
Whether it’s day camp, a family trip, or just a change in daily rhythm, previewing what’s ahead can ease anxiety.
Try this:
- Walk them through what the day will look like at camp
- Share photos or stories from the place you’re traveling
- Acknowledge mixed emotions: “You’re excited and a little nervous about camp—that’s totally normal.”
As therapists in San Diego, we often coach parents to model emotional flexibility. Let your child know it’s okay to have more than one feeling about a change.
- Name the feeling: Help your child label what they’re experiencing—nervous, excited, lonely, frustrated.
- Challenge the worry: Ask, “What’s the worst that could happen? How likely is that?”
- Create a calming toolkit: Include deep breathing, movement breaks, fidget toys, or drawing.
With the support of a CBT therapist in San Diego, kids learn to build confidence and manage uncertainty in healthy ways.
You don’t need to schedule every minute, but a simple daily rhythm can help. Include:
✅ Morning anchors (like breakfast or a walk)
✅ Time for movement
✅ Creative or quiet activities
✅ Screen time with limits
✅ Bedtime consistency
Counseling in San Diego for families often includes parent support on designing realistic routines that still allow for freedom and flexibility.
What helps:
- Schedule low-pressure social time (like one-on-one playdates or sibling games)
- Validate feelings about missing friends or feeling left out
- Encourage expression through art, journaling, or role play
If your child is showing signs of anxiety or withdrawal, working with a psychologist in San Diego can provide them a safe space to process their feelings and learn coping strategies.
At Thrive Therapy Studio, our San Diego-based therapists specialize in supporting children, teens, and families through change. We use practical, evidence-based approaches like CBT to help your child:
- Navigate transitions
- Build emotional resilience
- Improve communication
- Strengthen self-regulation
📩 Want to learn more about how our team can support your family this summer? Contact us today to schedule a session with a CBT therapist in San Diego.
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