June is in full swing, and I can bet the kids are already claiming boredom along with eating all the snacks. Summer can come with pressure – you’ve heard it said before that kids thrive on routine, but what if we do a summer without the added “rules”? Moms already have so much on their plates, and I vote we do a summer focusing on reality. Here is what moms really need this summer.
Resting Without Guilt
My daughter and I have a little summer tradition of visiting the bookstore and taking our time perusing the stacks. We look for easy reads or maybe ones we didn’t think we would have time to read. We don’t look for the best educational workbook or the next school year’s assigned reading – we look at our interests and find good reads for a good summer.
It’s little things like this – no guilt, just fun. While the bookstore is a fun time, talk to your kids and find other tasks they want to do. Don’t make it an obligation, make it an option. Swim the day away or binge the latest family-friend show. Find a new coffee shop to try.
Take these little things and do it without guilt or requirements. Find the space and the time for all of you to simply rest.
Setting Boundaries
This tip goes year-round. The mom tasks are long in all the months, so maybe say no more to all the invites and summer camps. Sleep in. Have breakfast at noon. Setting aside this simple time with your family or one on one time with each child works wonders. Don’t add to your list by making all the plans or all the travels.
Now that it’s mid-June, you can see just how fast this time goes. And when you have older kids, it goes even faster so set those boundaries that allow chill-time before school is back in session.
Sharing the Mental Load
All the moms of all the kids out there feel some sort of pressure to finish that summer bucket list or plan the perfect summer day. But our kids don’t need us every second of every summer day. Grab a neighbor or a college kid home for the summer and have them watch your kids while you take that day date with your spouse or your bestie.
Get rid of the notion that you must be mom of the summer and share the mental load with others. Either with someone willing to take your kids for a bit or with a dear friend who knows what it’s like to feel that perfect summer expectation.
Finding Moments for Yourself
Grab that book you picked up. Hit the gym for a good sweat. Call up a friend and make a date. Tell your spouse you need a date night. Sure, we want our kids to have a summer to remember, but we can’t take care of them if we do not take care of ourselves.
Don’t believe the hype of each summer day being better than the one before or that your summer isn’t successful if you didn’t make them study or attend that camp. It’s almost a job in itself but being intentional about taking time for you can make your summer just as grand.
Houston Moms, you’re doing great in Summer 2026. If they are happy, rested, and feel safe, your summer is a hit even if you haven’t created that bucket list just yet.
Rest. Set the boundaries. Share the load.
And, your summer will be one to remember.
