Big Feelings Aren't Just for Kids This Summer
After daily calendar countdowns, anticipated “last 10 days of school” activities, and lots of extra excitement, the time has finally arrived…summer vacation.
Summer is one of my favorite times of year. The longer days, family adventures, trips to the playground, vacations, and the memories we make together. But let’s be honest—it’s not always sunny skies.
The change in routine, later bedtimes, busy schedules, and new experiences can be exciting—but they can also be overwhelming for kids and parents.
Last summer, before our family vacation to Disney, I wrote about how I planned to use Feel Your Best Self throughout our trip. I packed a mini Feelings Forecast, strategy cards, and lots of positivity. What I didn't fully anticipate was just how much we'd actually need them.
My son (4 at the time) struggled with the change in routine and the constant stimulation. There were numerous meltdowns, missed naps, and moments when things felt like they were just out of control. The biggest plot twist, though? I needed the FYBS strategies first.
In the midst of all the chaos, I felt like I was on the brink of a mental breakdown. I was getting frustrated, had zero patience for the tantrums, and found myself getting upset at my son for having big feelings that were most definitely warranted for a 4-year-old. It was a quick realization that if I'M not feeling my best as the caregiver, my kids definitely won't be feeling their best.
One strategy that helped me most was Turn the Dial. My initial thoughts were, "This trip is a disaster. He's melting down and refusing to nap. Why did we even come?" With that mindset, I knew the trip would continue to get worse. It wasn't easy, but I worked to Turn the Dial by shifting my perspective. I reminded myself that a missed nap meant an earlier bedtime and a good night's sleep! It didn't magically solve every challenge, but it helped me respond with a little more patience and a lot less stress.
Fast forward to this summer, and we'll still be doing some of our favorite FYBS activities. Whether it's checking in with the Feelings Forecast on our fridge to share how we're feeling, listening to songs from the FYBS song collection in the car, watching animated shorts together, creating our own Feelings Forecasts with chalk, or revisiting a favorite strategy, there's always something quick and simple we can try to help explore our emotions.
And something I need to remind myself of as the summer takes off? It doesn't have to be perfect to be meaningful. There will be great moments, challenging moments, and maybe some in between. But with a few helpful tools in our back pockets, we can support our kids—and ourselves—as we navigate all of it together!
Molly Ferreira
FYBS Implementation Coordinator (and mom!)