Give Yourself Realistic Expectations
Not every day needs to be packed with activities. Some days will be amazing, others will feel chaotic, focus on connection over perfection. Learn what each kid needs. Some kids need to go go go and some need quiet time at home. Focus on the individual needs as well as your own needs to help you succeed this summer.
Make Time for Yourself
You don’t need to lose yourself all summer long. Schedule small pockets of time for:
- Early morning workouts
- Reading
- Time with friends
- Date night
- A hobby
- Quiet drives or walks
Even 20-30 minutes can reset your mind.
Communicate with Your Spouse
This is the most important one. You both will need breaks this summer. Make sure that happens! Do weekly check ins to see how the other one is doing. Before summer starts talk about:
- Expectations
- Work Schedules
- Parenting responsibilities
- Budget for activities
- Alone time for each parent
- Date night
You are a team, make sure you are both taking care of yourself and each other so that you are on the same page for the summer.
Keep a Small Routine
Even during summer, routines help everyone feel more grounded. Try keeping a structure to help reduce stress for both dads and kids.
- Have a consistent wake-up time
- Daily movement or exercise
- Quiet time teach day
- Set screen time and screen time limits
- Do chores–daily pick up will save your sanity
Kids are used to a schedule at school all day, coming home and having “nothing” to set their day by can be scary. Set up a loose summer schedule so they know what each day can look like and discuss when days are going to look different.
Example:
- Morning chores
- Outdoor play
- Lunch
- Quiet time
- Afternoon activity
- Family time in the evening
- Picking up the house
The Two Most Dreaded Words
Now what do you do when a child comes to you and says the two most dreaded words: “I’m bored.” Create a boredom list! You can sit down and create a list together of things to do when that inevitably happens this summer:
- Bike ride
- Visit a new park
- Water balloon fight
- Lego challenge
- Obstacle course
- Library trip
There are so many ideas that you can come up with! Help them come up with creative ideas so they aren’t laying on the floor of your office all summer.
Prepare Easy Snacks and Meals
Every summer I am shocked by how much my kids eat all day. Keep easy grab and go snacks ready:
- Fruit
- Yogurt
- Cheese Sticks
- Popsicles
- Trail Mix
- Sandwich supplies
Print out a cheat sheet and hang it on your fridge so kids know what is available.
Lower the Pressure to Entertain
Finally, kids do not need nonstop entertainment to have a great summer. Some of the best memories come from running through the sprinklers, late night walks, and popsicles in the backyard. It is hard to flip the switch, especially if all your kids are in full time school. The noise, the mess, the boredom. Set expectations for the whole family before summer starts, the kitchen isn’t open all day, we have to clean the house, dad still has to work, but we will have a ton of fun!
The end of the school year can bring a major shift for everyone, but it is also an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with your kids in meaningful ways. Summer does not have to be extravagant to be memorable. The small moments, consistency, and laughter are often what kids remember most. By taking care of your mental health, planning ahead, and focusing on connection over perfection, dads can create a summer that feels fun, balanced, and rewarding for the whole family.
