Lots of families use the summertime as an opportunity to visit and maybe even stay with extended family. It can be so rewarding to keep those special connections in your kids’ lives as they grow.
However, kids can get thrown off easily when they’re out of their usual routine, so it’s a good idea to mentally prepare them for the differences they might experience. And as always, it’s a good opportunity to talk about how to set and respect boundaries with others.
Here are five questions you can ask your kids to prepare them for a visit with relatives:
- Which people are you most excited to see? Is there anyone you’re feeling nervous about seeing?
- What signal or codeword would you like to use to let me know you’re overwhelmed and need to take a break?
- The house where we’ll be staying has different rules than our house. Who is an adult in charge there that you can ask if you’re not sure about the rules?
- We might be served different food than you’re used to at home. What’s a polite way to decline food you’re offered that you don’t want to eat?
- You are never expected to let anyone touch you if you aren’t comfortable with it. How can you let someone know that you don’t want to be touched? What are some other ways we can say “hello,” “goodbye,” or “I love you” without touching?
Of course, it’s not only the kids who may need some preparation and boundary-setting. If you’re concerned about any friends or family members potentially having a hard time respecting your or your kids’ boundaries (for example, if their grandma insists on hugs and kisses from her grandkids even if they don’t want to) — here’s a guide to talking about consent with your more affectionate family members.
