'Summer Survival Skills:' Part 1

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

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Summer vacation from school means kids are excited and anxious for the break, but some parents are seriously dreading the long days ahead.

Bryan and Amie Larsen say without school, there's a whole lot of time where it's just them and the kids staring at each other.

"Then they get bored, and whiney and feisty. They are cooped up inside the house and want to do something," says Bryan.

It's a dread for Amie, but other moms feel outright anxiety.

"It is pretty common," says Stacy Brubaker, LCSW, the Associate Director of Children's Services with Valley Mental Health.

She says moms should not be ashamed to admit it if they are pulling their hair out. "I think summer is always hard, especially if you don't have support."

"Children can be very demanding," says Cheryl Wright, Chair of the Family and Consumer Studies Department at the University of Utah. "Every mother and father has thought to themselves, this is a tough job! It's much easier to go to work." [CLICK HERE for tips to help you make it through the day]

**Parenting Survival Tips**

*From Cheryl Wright:*

- Take time for yourself to do something you love or have some exercise. You need time away from care-giving responsibilities. - You are a better parent if you take care of yourself. It is psychologically much healthier for family if the primary caregiver, whether it's mom/dad or grandparent, gets a break or alone time.

*From Stacy Brubaker:*

- Communicate with spouse to make sure you are sharing your frustrations or concerns about your day. - Make sure the other parent takes a turn being the primary caregiver so they know what you are going through.

Wright and Brubaker say if mom stays at home, dad needs to step up.

"They kind of think you are sitting home eating Bon Bons. So I think it's really important to allow that spouse opportunities to be the primary caretaker, so there's a little bit of an empathy factor there," says Brubaker.

Cheryl Wright, Chair of the Dept. of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah

Bryan and Amie take turns.

"It's huge," Amie admits. "You need a relief. You need some help and relief to take them away sometimes."

"We all have bad parenting moments and I think the difference is what we do with those, and how we make it so it's not hurtful and impactful on our kids over time," Brubaker explains.

"The person, who is involved in the primary care-giving role, really needs to take time for themselves. It's critical to maintaining healthy family relationships," Wright adds. "You need to have your own time, and your own interests."

Bottom line: don't try to be a super mom. [CLICK HERE for more on why you should not try to be a super mom]

It's not good for you or your kids.

Listen to part 2 of 'Summer Survival Skills' Friday morning at 5:40 and 7:40.

E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com