To me, summer has always—and will always—begin when school ends. Not on the solstice. But when the routines get thrown out the window, and suddenly, we’re all juggling 7–12 weeks of entertaining kids and keeping up with work, house stuff, life admin, and everything in between. If you know, you know.
I wrote about summer survival last year, sharing 1 tip for you, 1 for your kids and 1 for your family - read it here. But this year—T-minus 2 weeks from school being out and my to-do list somehow longer than ever—I’m back at it and adding on some more.
Here are a few reminders I’m telling myself right now in an attempt to stay sane. Maybe they’ll help you too. And if you’ve got a master plan for success or just sanity—please share it with me, too.
✨ Embrace the Chaos (Even When You’d Rather Not)
I like structure. My kids like structure. We’re all better humans when we’ve eaten dinner at a decent hour and everyone goes to bed on time. BUT—some of the best moments happen when you throw the plan out.
Just this week, I said yes to a spontaneous playdate with a new family. There were potty training accidents, and the timing and logistics were poorly planned ... but it was a great afternoon and the beginning of a new friendship.
Then, later that week, I said yes again—this time to an adults-only invite. I was planning to work that evening, but instead I ended up on a sunset boat ride and an impromptu dinner that filled my cup in a totally different way.
Bottom line: say yes. Some (or most?) of the best things this season will be unplanned.
🥖 Lower the Bar (On Meals, Mess, and Expectations)
Summer is not the time to channel your inner domestic goddess. No one is winning awards for nightly home-cooked meals or perfectly planned days. What we are trying to do is survive—and maybe even enjoy a few moments along the way.
Dinner doesn’t need to be hot. It doesn’t even need to be served on a plate. Some fruit, some chopped veggies, a baguette, cheese, hummus, popsicles—call it a picnic and everyone’s thrilled. Kids love eating on the floor. Forget the meal prep, embrace the grill and the raw veggies.
But it’s not just food—lower the bar everywhere.
Let the laundry pile. Let them wear swimsuits all day. Let bedtime drift. Let go of the idea that you need a beautifully planned activity every afternoon.
Some of the best summer days are the ones where nothing big happens: just time outside, wet towels on the floor, and everyone going to bed sandy and smiling.
Summer isn’t about doing more—it’s about feeling more. Let it be unhurried, imperfect, and filled with light.
🤝 Ask for Help (Then Ask Again)
Summer is long. We are not meant to white-knuckle our way through it solo.
At the first day of camp: look around. Who do you know? Can you carpool? Trade off playdates? Share a sitter with your neighbor? Start the WhatsApp group, offer a ride, float the idea. People are more than happy to help—but they need to know what you need.
Asking for help is an incredible way to deepen relationships - read more here.
And speaking of asking for help—I need yours.
Can you take 4 minutes to fill out this survey on postpartum experiences and transitioning back to work? It closes June 19, and I’m using the results to write a paper on what’s actually working—and what needs to change. Bonus points if you send it to a friend 💛
And lastly, a little treat for you
Our summer wellness webinar series, Mini Moments for Mighty Parents, continues next week! These are short (30 minutes), no-fluff sessions designed to help you reset, recharge, and reconnect during the day. The third Wednesday of the month, May-September.
Next up: Physical therapist Janie in Strong Starts: Why Your Postpartum Body Deserves PT. You won’t want to miss it. Real tools, real talk, and no pressure. Just support. Even if you can’t make it, sign up so I can send you the recap after.
Let me know your best summer survival tip—I’ll take all the help I can get,
Erica
