Summer – Hot. Humid. Bright. Insect’s itchy. Windy. Sandy. Sticky. OMG…
Summertime – the exact time of the year that once finished, I always go down to my cave to collect and review basics. Every year. Why? Because it’s so variable and mutable that each year brings something new and surprising! Always!
I am going through and with an examination of conscience’, discussing some of my experiences, trying to come out with a handful of ideas, gadgets, and smart aids.
My goal is to create a set of useful approaches and tested solutions made into a checklist. A bulletproof bunch of tips you could take into consideration while planning your vacation trip if you have or not an SPD condition in your family. Anytime and anywhere. Not only in summertime. Winter trips and autumn journeys can be as challenging as the cheery August vacation.

As a family with some Sensory Processing Disorder issues, it’s a constant surprise, and we just can not be prepared for everything. So…we improvise a lot and try to keep calm. Flexibility and open-mindedness are the crucial and vital keys to do not lose it!

This summer, like any other summer before, left us with our jaws on the floor and almost speechless but extremely happy, even though it was the strangest holidays ever trying to stay healthy – physically and mentally most importantly. Minding the social distancing and have some extra fun anyway…that was super challenging after all.

All the rest just happened.

1. One of the most challenging things is ‘THE FOOD’—every little change in any of the ingredients and variations of dishes – drama. Happily, we can notice that exposure is working. So if you are thinking about the first days of ‘I’m not going to eat this. That’s disgusting!’ you are entirely right and understood – it will happen. But do not focus too much on this aspect. There will be some ‘acceptance’ in-between the hunger strikes. Enthusiasm and courage my dear fellow! One of the best things is to try the local food traditions while traveling – be a good role model!

2. We struggle a lot with THE SWIMMING question. Not even with it in itself. The water that runs through the face goes into the eyes and ears was a problem. So before even thinking about a proper way to encourage and start to teach how to swim seriously, we fed up a bit but kept also trying to sabotage the unshakable presence of this ‘humid’ barrier. The fact is that in our case, we as parents made a little… The success we got this summer was thanks to the invention of a sub mask, and self-motivation sparked thanks to some peers and laughs. WE GOT OUR FIRST FULL IMMERSION and A SWIMM! Unbelievable! We thought we were terrible parents and hopeless teachers. We lost with a sub mask… YAY!

There you can go for the entire or only partially covering sub mask, scuba diving or snorkel one. The important thing is to make sure it’s comfy and there are no liking parts around with zero water sneaking inside and ruining all the confidence earned already!

The one you could consider an option is one wildly famous and used snorkeling integral mask or classic snorkeling mask sold by Decathlon.

Hence I could even stop here. The most significant notice was dropped 🙂

3. There are also some other ideas I could share with you regarding photophobia – LIGHT SENSITIVITY – widespread trouble for whose on the spectrum. There are numerous methods you could try. For our boy, a cap works perfectly. But you may be willing to try IRLEN – special lenses that also help with reading difficulties, headaches, etc.

A good option is to try classic sunglasses with filters or colored lenses used usually as protection from wind, insects, etc while riding a bike, jogging, etc.

4. On the other hand – MOSQUITOES and their dreadful night shifts. What I found enormously effective and comfortable was bought years ago an insect repellent – Parakito clip. What’s so unusual about it? Well, you don’t have to spray it or spread it. Just hang it at your backpack or belt, and it will protect you for up to 2 weeks per one refillable pellet! It works in all climate zones and it’s waterproof! Made with the best natural essential oils and it’s paraben-free. I safely used it with my newborn Leo.

5. My irreplaceable and out of any competition SUN PROTECTION for very sensitive and free of allergy-triggers product tester by me in the last decade – Daylong Kids Sun Lotion SPF 50+. This sunscreen is fragrance-free and preservatives free, super light, with water-resistant formula, and what’s more important in our case, it also offers high sun protection to children suffering from atopic dermatitis. Used with my firstborn with marvelous success as sun protection and a skin healer.

All those tips and products worked really well and facilitate our vacations and various breaks over last years. Some of them came naturally, some was recommended by someone else, some we just figure out by ourselves and some just happens as I used to say. We try our best to make thinks more pleasant and hassle-free for of our family members. Especially when there are ways to simplify complicated parts of everyday life.

Stay holistically healthy!