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Lives Touched Coaching Blog

Summer is Supposed to Be Fun… So Why Are We Dreading It?

5/13/2025

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Ah, summer. The season of sunshine, popsicles, sprinklers, and freedom. No early wake-ups for school. No lunch-packing marathons. Just wide-open days to enjoy our kids, make memories, and soak in all the magic. But if we’re being honest… that’s not the full picture, is it?

​Behind the smiling social media posts and sunny family outings, many parents feel something else creeping in: anxiety, overwhelm, and dread. Here’s what summer really looks like for many caregivers:

  • Constant sibling arguments that sound like a broken record
  • Endless snack requests (didn’t they just eat?)
  • A complete lack of routine that leads to dysregulated kids
  • Screen time guilt, activity planning pressure, and sensory overload
  • The crushing weight of being “fun parent,” referee, chef, chauffeur, and lifeguard—all at once

Sound familiar? If you're already feeling anxious about the unstructured days ahead—or guilty for not looking forward to every moment—please hear this: You are not alone. You are not doing anything wrong. And you are not a bad parent for feeling this way.

Summer removes structure, and for many kids (and adults), that predictability is what helps regulate emotions and behavior. So yes—challenging behaviors often increase. Yes—siblings get on each other’s nerves. Yes—you will hear the words “I’m bored” 300 times in a single afternoon.

And while summer can be fun, it can also be exhausting. Especially when you're carrying the emotional load for everyone in your home. So what can you do?

Take a Pause—On Purpose
You don’t need a weekend away or a big “self-care” plan. Start small. Take one mindful pause each day. Ask yourself: What is one thing I can do today that fills my cup, even a little bit?
​
  • Sit on the porch with your coffee before anyone wakes up
  • Take 10 deep breaths in the bathroom with the door locked
  • Say yes to help when it’s offered—or ask for it
  • Put on music that lifts your moodText a friend who gets it
  • Lower the bar on what “good parenting” looks like today

You can’t pour from an empty cup. And summer has a way of draining it fast.
​

Give Yourself Permission…
  • To say no to extra playdates
  • To prioritize connection over productivity
  • To let go of perfect routines
  • To not be the entertainer, every single minute
  • To create tiny pockets of joy that are just for you

Summer doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be real. So if your days look messy, loud, or full of emotion—that’s okay. You’re showing up. You’re loving your kids. You’re doing your best. That’s more than enough.

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School's out for summer!

5/28/2024

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Summer is around the corner - two of my kids are done with school for the year, and the other two will be done in just a few days. Maybe you’re on top of everything and have each day planned down to the minute, or maybe you’ve got your head in the sand hoping that the school will keep your kids for another month or two! Wherever you find yourself, there’s no better time than right now to think about how you want your summer to feel and what you want it to look like.


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Family Reunions

7/27/2023

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Do you have any family reunions or large gatherings planned for the summer?

​My family of origin is fairly small so our gatherings aren't huge.  But the words "family reunion" make me picture large boisterous groups of distantly related people along with lots of noise, games, food and stimulation.  My husband's side of the family is big and we have plans to attend a large family gathering soon.  My kids will be meeting many distant family members for the first time!

It makes me mindful of my four kids and their unique personalities and responses to different environments. I can picture some of my kids jumping right into the unknown territory and having a blast. I can also picture some of my kids feeling very overwhelmed by the noise, the unfamiliar people and the uncertain time frames. If you have a child who's sensitive, shy, easy overwhelmed, or tends towards feeling anxious then here are a few things that could help you set your family up for more successful reunions. 

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Simple Summer ideas and success planning

6/14/2023

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The heat is on and summer is here!  After a few days or weeks of free time, sleeping in late, and little to no structure, my younger kids start to get board.  Bored kids can become teasing and fighting kids in my house.  

So, if that happens in your home here are a few simple summer ideas.  Please share any fun ideas you and your kids have enjoyed!


*go visit the animal shelter or pet store
*make a bird feeder with a milk jug and some duck tape
*make a summer journal with a daily question or topic 
*write and illustrate a comic book
*make mini figures out of clay and add them to your house plants
*visit the farmers market and buy something you've never tried before
*run through the sprinkler
*make a hopscotch board (It's really fun to play hopscotch on a trampoline if you have one!  Use chalk to make the hopscotch board)
*paint rocks
*sit outside for 10 minutes and record the types of birds you see, use a bird book to find their names
*make a summer art project on a large sheet of paper that you can add to throughout the summer
*try out an oldie but goodie like a jump rope, hula hoop, skip ball or kids' pogo stick
*make a bike obstacle out of chalk on the driveway
*make an obstacle course in the yard or at the park
*give your kids a scavenger hunt for the yard, or on a family walk (taking photos of the objects is a fun addition)

​Share your fun ideas with us here!

Summer success planning:

I personally have grappled with the start of summer for years now. 
On one hand I think of summer as this magical time of fun, connection and happy memory building. 
On the other hand, I start to worry about this big transition and change of structure for my kids.  

How do I balance the right amount of activities with the need for downtime? 
What about behavioral challenges?
How can I use good communication with the other adults involved (co-parent, grandparents etc) to make this summer successful?

Check out this recorded webinar on Summer Success Planning for Parents and Grandparents.
https://livestouchedcoaching.podia.com/summer-success-planning-for-parents-and-grandparents

It will help you get the ball rolling on finding the right summer structure for your family, communication between adults, and behavioral challenges.  

Use the coupon code SUMMER2023 to get 10% off all products

Wishing you a joyful summer!
Summer Success Planning
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10 Way to say "I love you" to your kids

2/14/2023

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Valentines day is just a great reminder to speak love to our kids all year long.  So, here are 10 easy ways to say "I love you" to your kid

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  • Home
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