August Reflections: What the Summer Holidays Can Tell Us About Our Children's Behaviour

August has been a busy month, and as we reach the end of the summer holidays, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the things I've been talking about over the past few weeks.

From boredom and sibling arguments to changes in behaviour, really listening to young people and the pressure of September approaching, there's been one theme running through so much of it:

What are our children trying to tell us?

Because they don't always tell us with words.

A very special start to August

I started the month with some news that I still feel incredibly proud of.

I've been named a finalist in the Hope Awards 2026 for the Education & Youth Support Award, as well as being nominated for two Womanifest Awards 2027 - the Overcomer Award and Wellness Advocate Award.

Having my work recognised in this way means so much to me.

But more than anything, it made me think about the children, young people and families I've had the privilege of working alongside.

Every conversation, breakthrough, creative counselling session and moment where a child has begun to understand themselves a little better is part of why I do this work.

So while my name might be attached to those nominations, they represent something much bigger.

I'm incredibly grateful to every family who has trusted me along the way.

Are we really listening to young people?

International Youth Day gave me an opportunity to talk about something that's at the heart of my work:

Listening. Really listening.

Children and young people don't always have the words to explain what's happening for them.

"I'm fine" might mean exactly that.

But it can also mean:

I don't know how to explain it.

I don't want you to worry.

I'm embarrassed.

I don't think you'll understand.

Sometimes we have to look beyond the words.

Changes in sleep, anger, withdrawal, difficulties at school, bigger emotions or changes in behaviour can all be ways a child communicates that something isn't quite right.

Our instinct as adults is often to fix things.

But sometimes what a young person needs first is simply someone willing to listen without judgement and give them enough time to work out what they're feeling.

When the summer holiday novelty wears off...

Then, of course, there was the reality of August at home:

"I'm bored."

"They're annoying me."

"Tell them to stop!"

Sound familiar?

By this point in the summer, even children who were desperate for the holidays to arrive can be getting fed up.

And this isn't only something families with school-aged children experience.

For home-education families, summer can still bring a big change in routine. Regular groups might stop, activities take a break and friends go away.

Suddenly, the rhythm children are used to has disappeared.

Boredom isn't necessarily something we need to rush in and fix.

Having nothing planned can give children space to make decisions, get creative and work out how to occupy themselves.

And siblings don't have to spend every waking minute together just because they're both at home.

Sometimes everyone needs a bit of space.

The summer holidays don't have to be six perfectly planned weeks of days out, activities and entertainment.

Ordinary days count too.

What has summer shown you about your child's behaviour?

One of the biggest things I've encouraged parents to notice this month is how their child changes when their usual routine changes.

Some children find the lack of structure during the holidays incredibly difficult.

You might see more anxiety, frustration, emotional outbursts or behaviour you find challenging.

But other children might suddenly seem calmer.

Perhaps they're sleeping better.

Maybe the emotional outbursts have reduced.

They might simply seem happier or more like themselves.

That's worth noticing too.

Neither reaction is right or wrong, but both can give us useful information.

Instead of only asking:

"Why are they behaving like this?"

We can get curious.

What has changed?

What structure are they missing?

What pressure has disappeared?

What are they finding easier or harder?

Behaviour can tell us a lot when we start looking at what might be underneath it.

And now September is approaching

As August comes to an end, we're surrounded by messages about going back to school.

New uniform.

New shoes.

Fresh stationery.

Excited first day photographs.

But that's not what September looks like for every family.

Some children are already feeling incredibly anxious about returning.

Some desperately want to attend school but are struggling to manage it.

Some families are beginning or continuing home education.

Others might be waiting for alternative provision or simply trying to work out what comes next.

There isn't one version of what September has to look like.

And when a child is struggling with returning to school, our first thought can understandably be:

"How do we get them through the school gates?"

But perhaps there's another question we need to ask first:

"What is making going back feel so difficult?"

Those questions lead us down very different paths.

Something that looks like avoidance, refusal or defiance from the outside may actually be a child communicating that they're overwhelmed, frightened or struggling with something they can't yet explain.

Going into September with curiosity

If there's one thing I'd love parents and carers to take from everything I've shared this August, it's this:

Be curious about what's underneath the behaviour.

Listen without always needing to immediately fix.

Notice what changes when pressures are added or removed.

Give children space to communicate in their own way.

And remember that they won't always have the words to tell you exactly what's going on.

Sometimes they need a little help finding them.

Does your child need some extra support?

If you've noticed changes in your child this summer, they're struggling with the thought of returning to school, or you feel they could benefit from having a safe space that's completely their own, I'm here.

Through creative counselling, I support children and young people to explore their emotions, experiences and what's going on underneath their behaviour without expecting them to simply sit down and find all the right words.

If you'd like to find out more about how I could support your child or young person, please get in touch.

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