From School Days to Pool Days: Facilitating Transitions and Routine Changes

By Lucas Watling

As summer approaches, I often hear a mix of excitement and stress from both children and caregivers. For many kids, the thought of sleeping in, swimming, vacations, and taking a break from homework sounds amazing. At the same time, I have also seen that the transition out of the school routine can feel a little more complicated than we expect.

Children thrive on predictability, even if they do not always act like it. During the school year, life often follows a fairly structured rhythm. Wake up at the same time. Go to school. See the same people. Eat lunch at a predictable time. Participate in activities. Come home. Repeat. Even when kids complain about early mornings or homework, those routines can provide a sense of stability and security. Then summer arrives… and suddenly everything changes. Bedtimes become later. Sleep schedules shift. Activities become less predictable. Vacations pop up. Friends may be harder to see. Some children go to camps while others spend more time at home. For some kids, summer feels freeing. For others, it can feel like the ground underneath them suddenly shifted.

I think adults sometimes underestimate how challenging transitions can be because we tend to focus on the positive parts. However, excitement and stress can exist at the same time. I often notice that children navigating anxiety, ADHD, Autism, sensory differences, emotional dysregulation, or major life stressors may have an especially difficult time with routine changes. It is normal to see increased irritability, clinginess, boredom, emotional outbursts, difficulty sleeping, or behavioral changes. Naturally, transitions are hard. 

One thing I often encourage caregivers to remember is that creating structure does not mean planning every minute of every day. Children still benefit from freedom, downtime, and opportunities for creativity and play. Instead, I think about building "anchors" into the day, such as a consistent breakfast time, a predictable bedtime routine, a daily family walk, reading time, an outdoor activity, or a check-in at dinner. These small moments of consistency can help create a sense of stability even when larger routines are changing. I also think it can be helpful to prepare children for upcoming changes rather than expecting them to instantly adapt. Children do not always transition as quickly as adults do, so giving reminders can help reduce uncertainty. I also encourage caregivers to make space for emotions that may seem unexpected. For example, a child might feel anxious about starting a new summer camp and a routine change. In this case, a child would benefit from being prepared in advance for the camp and talking about the emotions that come up about it. Conflicting feelings like excitement and worry can both be true at the same time!

At River Grove Therapy, we understand that transitions can sometimes bring unexpected challenges for children and families. Whether a child is navigating routine changes, emotional adjustments, anxiety, social stressors, or simply adapting to a new season of life, we strive to create a supportive space where they feel understood and build their confidence, distress tolerance, and emotional resiliency. Sometimes helping children adjust is less about creating the perfect routine and more about helping them feel secure while life changes around them. When children feel safe, supported, and connected, they are often better able to step into those transitions with confidence.