Today let’s talk about holiday/vacation time, or as we clinicians and parents call it, change in routine!
Sometimes it’s an exciting thing, but sometimes it’s a scary thing because a change in routine is always very unpredictable with our clients. Sometimes they’ll do really well with it, and sometimes they won’t. We always need to be prepared for that worst moment that might happen. Sometimes we over-prepare and do fine, and things are great—the child is making progress in therapy so you can take them out to different places like restaurants, places that you don’t normally eat, be on the road, be in the car, and the kiddo will do well. We often times see that when clients have been in therapy for awhile.
But then there are times that, for some reason, it’s just not a good week and things are difficult. Maybe your kiddo is newer in therapy and we’re kind of readjusting his nervous system. Additionally, when you tear down somebody’s ability to function, even if it was in a dysfunctional way, and rebuild it, that can be a difficult time. We always tell our parents that things will get worse before they get better.
Let’s talk about those unpredictable times. Whenever you’re planning any type of hiatus from your home environment or your normal routine, you have to plan for those things. It’s important for parents to think about their own child, and what things are difficult for them. For each one of you, you’re going to have a recipe of different things. It’s important to make this specific for your own child, and just spend a few moments reflecting on what things are going to be difficult in this change for your child.
Sometimes you’re traveling via car. Sometimes you’re traveling via air. And sometimes you’re just away locally, at a relative’s house. So here are some things you want to think about:
1. Food.
Food is always a big issue. Make sure you have things available for you that are quick to remedy that situation. Don’t consider it to be rude to bring things that are appropriate for your child, when you know your child isn’t going to eat certain things, and then that will cause stress on the family. You want to make this a comfortable time and not a difficult time. If food is a big issue, pack up a cooler. Bring those items that you know work. Maybe you can mix some preferred food with some non-preferred food at your destination. (A lot of times we call those “new foods.”) It’s important to let the people you’re visiting with know that your child doesn’t do well with new foods, and so maybe you’ll just try a few things and add a few things that they’re familiar with.
Food is always a big issue. Make sure you have things available for you that are quick to remedy that situation. Don’t consider it to be rude to bring things that are appropriate for your child, when you know your child isn’t going to eat certain things, and then that will cause stress on the family. You want to make this a comfortable time and not a difficult time. If food is a big issue, pack up a cooler. Bring those items that you know work. Maybe you can mix some preferred food with some non-preferred food at your destination. (A lot of times we call those “new foods.”) It’s important to let the people you’re visiting with know that your child doesn’t do well with new foods, and so maybe you’ll just try a few things and add a few things that they’re familiar with.
2. Activity.
Time with travel means time without activity. How does your child do, just sitting in a chair? We know that our kiddos here do not do well with that, so you want to plan activities you can do. Whether you’re traveling on a plane or in the car, bring some new things that you know they’ll enjoy. Those are the types of things that you can think about when you spend those few minutes planning for your specific child. Sometimes it’s an iPad. Sometimes it’s a GameBoy. Sometimes it’s a particular game, or activity, or puzzle. Bring those things, and make them fresh and new so that they’re enticing.
Time with travel means time without activity. How does your child do, just sitting in a chair? We know that our kiddos here do not do well with that, so you want to plan activities you can do. Whether you’re traveling on a plane or in the car, bring some new things that you know they’ll enjoy. Those are the types of things that you can think about when you spend those few minutes planning for your specific child. Sometimes it’s an iPad. Sometimes it’s a GameBoy. Sometimes it’s a particular game, or activity, or puzzle. Bring those things, and make them fresh and new so that they’re enticing.
3. Breaks.
This goes along with activity—plan frequent breaks so that your child has an opportunity to move around. You can’t do that on an airplane, but you can plan bathroom breaks accordingly. And remember, on airplane flights you often have to wait—you don’t want to get stuck with the beverage cart going up and down the aisle.
4. Comfort Items.
Think about things that make your child calmer. If it’s certain clothing types, bring those comfortable clothing items. Don’t start out with something new that they won’t wear. That will just make it a more difficult trip for you.
You need to think ahead—that’s the key. Think ahead and plan for what you need to do. That’s the real key in planning any travel or holiday type of situation. Think, and plan! Need some specific tips for your child? If so, please give us a call!
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