By: Lauren Mizus, Youth Initiatives Program Manager
For many families, summer is filled with excitement. It's a season of vacations, summer camps, and making memories together. But for some children, summer can feel very different.
Instead of excitement, summer may bring uncertainty. The predictable routine of school disappears. Daily meals become less consistent. Trusted teachers, counselors, and supportive adults are no longer part of everyday life. Friends are harder to see, and long days at home can feel lonely, overwhelming, or even isolating.
The truth is, summer experiences aren’t the same for every child, and those differences can have a lasting impact on a child's emotional well-being.
School Provides More Than Education
When we think about school, we often focus on academics. But for many children, school provides so much more.
School offers:
- A predictable daily routine that helps children know what to expect
- Trusted adults who offer encouragement and support
- Friendships and opportunities for healthy social connection
- Reliable access to meals and other basic needs
- Mental health and behavioral support that helps children manage emotions and challenges
- A sense of safety, belonging, and community
These resources create stability, and for children who have experienced adversity or trauma, that stability is especially important.
Why Changes in Routine Can Be Challenging
From a trauma-informed perspective, predictability creates a sense of security. Consistent routines help children feel safe enough to learn, connect with others, and regulate their emotions. When those routines suddenly disappear, children may struggle in ways that aren't always obvious.
Not every child expresses stress in the same way. Some become quieter. Others can seem withdrawn or irritable. Some children lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, sleep more than usual, or spend increasing amounts of time alone. These changes can sometimes be mistaken for typical summer boredom, when they may actually be signs that a child is having difficulty adjusting.
For children already managing anxiety, depression, trauma, or other emotional challenges, summer can magnify those struggles.
What We've Learned
Working with children and families year after year, we've noticed several patterns that often emerge during the summer months.
One of the biggest challenges is that many families pause participating in mental health or behavioral services because disruptive behaviors seem to decrease. Without school, there are fewer calls home, fewer classroom concerns, and fewer opportunities for teachers to identify problems.
At first glance, it can feel like everything is improving.
However, what we often see is something different. Many children lose the structure that helped them succeed and spend more time at home without consistent routines or meaningful daily activities. During this time, some begin to experience increased isolation, changes in sleep patterns, decreased motivation, or a loss of interest in things they previously enjoyed. These changes can increase emotional risk and make the transition back to school significantly more difficult, often contributing to future behavioral and emotional challenges.
Another surprise for many parents is how quickly children say they're "bored." While boredom is a normal part of childhood, it can also be a child's way of saying, "I need connection." The next time your child says, "I'm bored," consider responding with curiosity instead of immediately offering entertainment.
You might say:
"Do you want to do something together?" or "Are you looking for help figuring out what you'd like to do?"
Sometimes children aren't asking for another activity, they're asking for your time, attention, reassurance, or support.
Our communities also play an important role.
One of the greatest gifts you can offer a child is simply being a trusted adult. Whether you're a neighbor, coach, family friend, mentor, or volunteer, positive interactions with caring adults help children develop resilience and a stronger sense of belonging. A kind conversation, consistent encouragement, or taking the time to truly listen can make a lasting difference.
Supporting Children Through the Summer
You don't need an elaborate summer schedule to help children thrive. Small, consistent actions often have the greatest impact.
Consider these ways to support children during the summer:
- Maintain predictable routines as much as possible, including regular wake-up times, meals, and bedtimes
- Stay connected with trusted adults, mentors, counselors, or supportive family members
- Create opportunities for meaningful connection through shared activities, conversations, and play
- Encourage healthy social interaction with peers whenever possible
- Learn about community resources, including summer meal programs, recreational activities, libraries, youth organizations, and mental health services that can provide additional support
Summer should be a time for children to rest, grow, and create positive memories. For some, that happens naturally. For others, it takes intentional support from families, schools, professionals, and communities working together.
When we recognize that summer isn't carefree for every child, we create opportunities to meet children where they are. By providing consistency, connection, and compassionate support throughout the summer months, we help children build resilience, not just for the next school year, but for the future.
Learn more about how NVFS provides specialized mental health support for youth navigating trauma, violence, and family reunification through its Youth Initiatives Program here.
NVFS’s Pathways to Healing Series explores how trauma-informed care, mental health services, advocacy, and compassionate support help children, adults, and families build resilience, regain stability, and move forward.
