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?
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• 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.
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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.

​Let’s get real for a second: parenting is hard. There’s no script, no step-by-step manual—just you, your kid(s), and the beautiful chaos of figuring it all out. If you’ve ever walked away from a hard parenting moment thinking “That didn’t go how I hoped…”, you’re not alone. The truth is, we all hit bumps. And those "mistakes" are actually invitations to grow. Today, I’m sharing three common parenting pitfalls I see all the time (and have totally done myself) — plus some gentle ways to shift course without guilt or shame.

1. Over-Explaining or Over-Correcting
When our kids are having a hard time, most of us think that talking to them or lecturing them will help the behaviors change; however, the opposite is true. When our child’s “emotional brain” takes over (think Fight, Flight or Freeze), their “thinking brain” goes offline. Dr. Dan Seigel calls this “Flipping Your Lid”. Because our child can’t access the thinking part of their brains they are unable to comprehend what we are trying to lecture them on. Instead, use few words - “No hurts.” “Be gentle and kind.” “Use your words.” You can then revisit the situation calmly, later, when their thinking brain is back online.

2. Forgetting to Repair
We all have moments we wish we could redo. What matters most is repair. A sincere “I’m sorry for how I spoke earlier—I was frustrated, and I want to do better,” is powerful. It models humility and shows them that relationships are resilient.
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3. Focusing Only on Behavior, Not the Need
Underneath most “bad” behavior is an unmet need—connection, rest, attention, food, autonomy. Before reacting, ask yourself: What’s really going on here? All behavior is communication, and when we meet the need, the behavior often shifts on its own. It takes a mindshift to realize that meeting our kids’ needs is not the same as rewarding bad behavior.

You don’t need to be a perfect parent. You just need to be a growing one. Every moment you choose curiosity over control, connection over correction—you’re building something strong and lasting. Keep going. You’re doing beautiful, important work.

​We all have tough days—those moments when the stress of work, errands, and life spills over, leaving little room for meaningful connection with our kids. But here’s the good news: reconnecting doesn’t have to take hours. Just a few intentional minutes can make all the difference.

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​Here are 5 simple ways to rebuild that bond:

1. Create a "High-Low" Ritual
   At dinner or bedtime, ask: “What was the best part of your day? What was the toughest part?” Share your answers too. This helps kids feel heard and valued.
2. Hug It Out
   Physical touch is powerful. Place your hand on the back of their neck and count to 30. A long hug, combined with skin-on-skin (SOS) will help with regulation and bring you both back to calm.
3. Play Their Way
   Let your child lead a quick game or activity they love. Even 10 minutes of Lego, a card game, or dancing in the living room can reset the mood.
4. Give a Compliment
   Notice something specific they did that day and praise it. For example, “I saw how you helped your sister with her homework—that was so kind of you;" or "Great job remembering to clear your dishes after breakfast! That was a huge help to me and our family."
5. End on a Positive Note
   At bedtime, share one thing you love about them. It’s a small gesture that leaves a big impression.
   
   

It’s okay to acknowledge your own tough day. We're all human and tough days are a part of life. Saying, “I had a hard day, but spending time with you makes it better,” models emotional honesty and shows your kids they’re a priority. Even after the hardest days, connection is always possible. Start small, and watch the difference it makes. 

Want more ideas for connecting with your kids? Follow me on Instagram or Facebook and check out "Make-It-Count Mondays."

Let’s face it - it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Add parenting on top of whatever else is already going on in your life and it can be downright chaotic. The pressure to do it all, and to do it all well, can be intense. Here are a few strategies to simplify some key areas to help you create a more balanced and peaceful family environment.

Time Commitments: Prioritize What Matters
​Time is a limited resource, and how we choose to spend it profoundly impacts our family life. Sports practices and games, church youth group, band or choir concerts, dance, therapy, school clubs and other extracurriculars add up quickly; multiply it by a few kids and you can have a wild schedule to navigate.