3 Encouragements for the Overwhelmed Parent Approaching Summer Break
Every parent has felt that uneasy mix of excitement and apprehension as the summer months draw near. While juggling our adult responsibilities along with family life is a challenge we navigate all year round, the added pressure of summer break is enough to make any parent wonder:
How in the world am I going to keep my children happy and engaged for 84 consecutive days?
Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or you work in some capacity, summer break will inevitably shake up your normal routine. Instead of having unbroken time to manage your to-do list while the kids are at school, your days will be spent shepherding energy-filled little ones underfoot—or encouraging your teens to unplug long enough to enjoy the summer.
No matter your children’s ages, finding fresh, fun ways to keep them engaged all day, every day can be a real challenge.
All this is to say—if the thought of summer break stresses you out, don’t feel guilty. We’ve experienced this ourselves. Every year when our children race home from the last day of school, we feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation. And even though our summer break only includes one child now, the challenges of knowing what to do or how to occupy him through the summer months remain. However, over the years, we’ve learned a few encouraging lessons that we remind ourselves of whenever the “summer scaries” set in.
So before you start pulling your hair out, sit with these three encouragements for parents just like you who are feeling overwhelmed by the upcoming summer break:
1) You don’t have to do this alone.
One of the hardest parts of navigating the summer break is feeling like you have to tackle it on your own. Let’s be honest—nobody wants to feel like they’ve suddenly been thrust into a full-time role as a vacation activities coordinator.
But while you may feel the responsibility to set the family schedule and keep everyone busy, the truth is that you can actually lean on your kids for help. They’re able and often eager to help create their own plans and routines. Call a family meeting and ask your children what they’d like to spend their time doing. You might be surprised at their response!
And, depending on the age of your children, you might even be able to give them specific summer responsibilities to help lighten your load. For example, make one kid the official lunch-packer for outings, and put another child in charge of making sure all the books and crafts are put away at the end of the day.
Support can come from outside your family, too. Remember that all parents—even those in your own neighborhood–are going through the exact same emotions and challenges as you. You might consider connecting with a trusted parent and setting up a system of routine playdates or a babysitting exchange so you can get some quiet time to breathe and recharge.
You might also check out some church or community children’s programs that will give you a hands-free way to keep your children occupied. Even if the activity requires you to be present (for things like swimming lessons), you can still use that time to knock out a meal plan or finally dive into that book you’ve been meaning to read.
Finally, don’t forget to utilize the resource of family if they live nearby—especially able and willing grandparents. Relatives may be willing to take your children on a fun zoo day or a trip to a water park—and this can be a great way for your children to bond with family they don’t always get to see during the school year.
2) Not every day has to be jammed-packed with activities.
The truth is, while it’s wonderful to sprinkle memory-making days (think long hikes that end in ice cream cones or outdoor movie nights with fresh popcorn and the kids’ favorite candy) throughout your summer, it’s not realistic for every day to look like this.
As parents, we can feel a lot of pressure to keep our children “busy,” but non-stop activities are not the hallmark of a successful summer.
It’s alright to let your children get bored from time to time. It’s scientifically proven that boredom is the spark that lights our kids’ creativity. If you think back to your own childhood, don’t some of your fondest memories stem from playing spontaneous, imaginative games with your friends?
It’s also good to remember that in the same way you get burned out from going, going, going all day, our kids can feel that as well! It’s healthy to teach them how to rest both their minds and bodies by having a slow day or simply sitting in the sun to observe God’s creation.
Here’s one last tip—just because your kids are on vacation doesn’t mean every day has to be all fun or relaxation. In fact, those things feel even sweeter when they’re balanced with purpose. Try dedicating a day where the kids pitch in and help out with your regular routine. This means:
- If you’re doing laundry, they are doing laundry.
- If you’re making a meal, they can chop or stir or measure ingredients.
- If you’re cleaning the bathroom, have them polish mirrors and faucets til they shine.
To make these chores a little more fun, you can set up a speaker and have everyone take turns adding songs to the playlist queue.
Even if your children are too young to really do any “cleaning,” this is a great way for them to be around you without you having to plan anything specific to keep them occupied.
3) Don’t be afraid to let go of your expectations.
As summer vacation draws near each year, it’s easy to build up big expectations about how it will unfold. We start having thoughts like:
Maybe this will be the year we go all out, packing our days with unforgettable adventures and picture-perfect moments!
Scrolling through social media, I feel the pressure to make our summer look just as fun and effortless as everyone else’s.
This year, my routine won’t be completely upended by summer break—the kids are finally old enough to entertain themselves…right?
The truth is, expectations can set us up for disappointment. When things don’t go as planned, it’s easy to get caught up in the gap between our hopes and the reality of what’s happening. In the process, we miss the chance to be present and see the beauty right in front of us.
This summer, rather than clinging rigidly to old or new routines, try staying flexible. Be willing to change things up to fit the unique needs of your family on that specific day.
Here’s an example of this principle in action:
Summer break offers a great opportunity to shepherd our children’s hearts.
Maybe one day, you’ve planned a fun outdoor activity to help your kids connect with a Bible story. Yet when they wake up, they’re groggy and just not up for it. Instead of pushing through you can pivot. Tuck the game away for another day and let them pick a faith-themed book to read quietly and chat about together.
There may be days when throwing out our entire schedule is necessary because our child’s heart is tender and requires more attention that day. Don’t be afraid to let laundry pile up or to order takeout for dinner; you’ll never regret taking extra time to invest in your child and communicate God’s love and care.
Of course, it’s not realistic to abandon structure every day—but summer offers more flexibility than most seasons. Lean into that freedom and let what matters most guide your days.
While summer can be an exciting time for children, it’s completely normal if this season leaves you feeling stressed as a parent. The pressure to create a perfect season can leave you feeling burned out and alone.
But summer vacation isn’t a test of your creativity, energy, or ability to “do it all.” It’s an opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy a few sweet months under one roof with the people you cherish most.
We hope these three encouragements have helped alleviate some of that pressure and inspired you to approach this break with grace and understanding for both yourself and your children. Shall we pray for God to lead the way?
Lord,
Thank you for the gift of summer and the break from our busy school routine. Give me wisdom so I don’t replace one kind of hectic schedule with another. Teach us what it means to rest. Draw our hearts close as we enjoy extra time side by side. Give us grateful hearts for both quiet days and the excitement of special activities to enjoy. Keep us in step with your Spirit so we go at your pace with your heart of love in our home. May this summer draw us closer to you as we enjoy all you have in store.
Amen.
This summer, pack some laughter and fun into your beach bag, glove box, or picnic basket with Rob’s summer joke bundle!
