Ah, summer. The sun is out, routines are out the window, and emotions are all over the place. While the break from school can bring fun and freedom, it also brings a unique kind of chaos—especially for kids (and parents) who thrive on structure. If your household is feeling a little unhinged lately, you’re not alone—and there are ways to bring some grounding back into your summer days.
☀️ Why Summer Can Feel So Disruptive
For many kids, the school year offers predictability: set wake-up times, structured activities, consistent social interaction. When summer rolls around, that structure disappears overnight. Some kids become overstimulated by busy summer camps and outings; others feel unmotivated or bored. For parents, juggling work, childcare, and shifting routines can feel just as overwhelming.
The result? Emotional dysregulation, resistance, increased conflict, and a general sense of “What is going on in this house?!”
Here’s how to help everyone feel a bit more settled—even in the middle of summer spontaneity.
🗓 1. Create a Loose-but-Steady Routine
This doesn’t have to mean rigid scheduling, but a predictable rhythm to the day can be incredibly grounding. Try using flexible “chunks” of time:
Morning routine (wake-up, breakfast, hygiene)
Midday activity (outdoor time, camp, errands, or downtime)
Quiet time (reading, screens, puzzles, naps)
Evening wind-down (dinner, low-stimulation activity, bedtime routine)
A visual schedule or checklist (especially for younger kids) can help them feel more in control and reduce decision fatigue.
😵💫 2. Expect—and Normalize—Big Emotions
Transitions can be hard, and summer is full of them: leaving school, attending different camps, visiting relatives, returning to school shopping. Kids may express stress through defiance, meltdowns, or clinginess.
Try this:
Name the emotion: “It seems like you’re feeling overwhelmed after camp today.”
Validate it: “It makes sense—it’s a lot of new faces and activities.”
Co-regulate: Offer a snuggle, go for a walk, do deep breathing together.
When we respond with calm and curiosity instead of control, we teach kids that emotions are safe and manageable.
🌿 3. Use Nature as a Regulator
Getting outside can be a powerful emotional reset. Whether it’s a nature walk, sprinklers in the yard, or lying on a picnic blanket watching clouds, these simple moments help soothe the nervous system—for kids and adults.
Try pairing it with a grounding prompt:
“What are five things you can hear right now?”
“Let’s each find a rock and describe what it looks and feels like.”
🎯 4. Set Small, Achievable Daily Anchors
Without school assignments or goals, some kids feel adrift. Offering one small task or intention per day can restore a sense of purpose.
Examples:
“Today, let’s learn how to make our own lunch!”
“Let’s each do one kind thing for someone else today.”
“We’re going to pick a song and dance it out before bed!”
❤️ 5. Prioritize Connection Over Productivity
When routines fall apart or plans change, it’s easy to feel like the day was a “fail.” Instead, shift the focus: Did we connect today? Did we laugh, hug, or listen to each other for a few minutes?
Even five minutes of intentional presence can anchor your child more than a perfectly planned activity.
✨ Final Thoughts
Summer doesn’t have to be perfectly organized—or completely chaotic. Finding a middle ground where kids feel secure and parents feel supported is possible with a bit of rhythm, emotional space, and grace for the messiness.
And remember: it’s okay if every day isn’t magical. Sometimes just making it through with a bit of compassion (for them and for yourself) is more than enough.
