A parent’s guide to getting through summer holidays with your child with disability

When the summer school holidays begin, your child with disability will be spending a lot more time at home! That can be a lot of fun but it can be challenging as it means you have to help keep them entertained.

Key points

Summer holiday routines can help your child with disability maintain a positive approach to activities
Always make sure you fit in time for yourself during the holidays as self care is important
You do not have to fill every moment with action and adventure – kids love to have quiet days as well

As a parent you want to plan the best possible time for your child with disability while also looking after yourself. There is no point wearing everyone down with activity after activity if no one is having fun.

If you are struggling to find the best way to get through summer with your child with disability, our parent’s guide provides the perfect tips for planning and organisation.

Holiday routines are still important

Once the school holidays begin it is easy for kids, especially teenagers, to fall into a trap of staying up late and sleeping in. Even though occasional late nights are okay, you should maintain sleep routines that benefit everyone.

Sometimes, too much change can overwhelm a child with disability. So if it does benefit them to continue waking up and eating breakfast at the same time as they would for school, keep on doing it.

This might help you or your partner with your own work as it means your routines remain the same and you do not have to worry about rushing at the last minute, even if the plan is for the kids to remain at home in the morning.

If your child with disability also thrives on routine or needs structure, you can also keep them motivated and organised ahead of the first day of the school year – which can help you in the long run by avoiding any stress when school time comes back around, like putting your children into bed early the night before school.

For additional advice on how to create helpful routines, you can read our article ‘Tips for setting up family routines’.

Activities should be spread out

Some parents love to plan action-packed days to tire out the kids, squeezing in exciting activities, sleepovers and big road trips. However, not all kids can do that and your child with disability may not enjoy a complicated or busy day.

Take the time to simplify things. Schedule activities that suit you and your child with disability’s needs, but also some time for your child to engage in playtime where they come up with ideas to keep themselves engaged and entertained.

If they are worn out after attending a birthday party, make sure you leave the next day free so they can relax at home with some lowkey activities.

You can find ideas for activities that are disability friendly in our article, ‘Summer holiday activities for kids with disability‘.

Plan ahead for new experiences

If you do want to plan a big day out, have a chat with your child first, especially if they do feel anxious about surprises or new environments.

You will both be grateful for the opportunity to make informed plans that accommodate everyones’ needs and wishes without causing any emotional fatigue.

It will help to also plan new or major activities well in advance. You can avoid surprises by marking out key dates on a visual calendar so your child with disability is aware of what is happening and when.

Include photos or videos of the location or event so they can create a mental image of the activity. This allows you to scope out the location as well to determine whether it is accessible and suitable for your child’s abilities, or if you need to have any intervention options in place.

You can say no to events

Disability can be unpredictable as no two days are the same and your plans may have to suddenly change.

That is why it is always okay to say no to an event or activity if your child with disability is unwell, already feels tired or does not want to participate.

Sometimes this means you will have to make last-minute cancellations, but your child – and often yourself – will feel better with a relaxed afternoon at home rather than being taken to an event or party that they no longer want to go to.

You do not have to take on all the caring responsibilities

Are you struggling with full time caring responsibilities during summer? Do not worry, every parent has been there!

While it is important to be there for your child with disability, you do need to take time for yourself. So if someone you know and trust offers a chance to look after your kids, go for it!

It could be an afternoon at a friend’s house, your parent’s or even some kind of respite care or inclusive camp. These opportunities ensure your child is still socialising with others and safe, while you have a chance to rest and relax or tackle some important jobs.

If your child with disability is a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant you may also have the opportunity to access respite services or school holiday activities through disability service providers.

These activities may be covered by your child’s NDIS plan and you can chat with your NDIS provider or search online for inclusive camps like those provided by the YMCA.

So not only can you create time for yourself to practise some self-care, but that independence and time away are especially important for older children and teenagers with disability and you will love watching your kids grow and develop.

Fun activities can be affordable

Sometimes the best way for a child with disability to spend a day is by doing something fun and accessible. Perhaps it is a trip to the park or the beach, a picnic, or just a day with the grandparents.

These activities can take a huge weight off your shoulders as they are easy to organise and affordable (if not free). Often the kids enjoy these the most!

If you are unsure about what accessible activities there are you can read our article, ‘Summer holiday activities for kids with disability’.

You can also pick a bunch of activities that are fun for yourself and involve some engaging learning opportunities, such as cooking or arts and crafts.

The chance to try new things and develop skills suited to your child’s abilities will be a great way to pass the time throughout the summer holidays.

What are your tips for getting through the summer break with a child with disability? Tell us more in the comments below.