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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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From Flip-Flops to Backpacks: Easing into the School Groove

8/6/2024

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School is just around the corner - maybe you’d like to keep your blinders on and pretend it’s not coming, or maybe you are really excited to personally celebrate the kids’ first day of school. Regardless of where you stand, it’s best to begin transitioning now so that your kids are set when school starts up again. Transitioning from summer routines to school routines must be intentional. To help everyone adjust smoothly, here are 5 practical tips to consider putting into practice.


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We are family...

6/11/2024

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​When I think about summer, I tend to think about the fun activities I can do with the kids, the classes or lessons they will have, and the joys of warm weather and sunshine. My picture of the perfect summer gets stifled by the sibling rivalry and conflict that somehow sneak up on me every June. 

Maybe your kids have been on summer vacation for a month or maybe they just got out last week; whatever the case, it’s all but guaranteed that your children will struggle to get along sometime over the next three months, and typically sooner rather than later. Let’s just pause for a second - this is completely normal! 


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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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    Dana Parisi

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  • Home
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