We only get so many summers with our kids, and you deserve to enjoy them too. This post is packed with simple summer routines, meal tips, and realistic self-care ideas to help you stop the burnout before it starts and create lasting memories for both you and your little ones!

Summer is supposed to be fun, right? Sunshine, slower mornings, beach days, and making core memories with your kids. Except… let’s be real—summer as a mom? It’s a full-time job with zero breaks.

Suddenly, you’re on 24/7, making nonstop snacks, breaking up sibling fights, and having even larger laundry piles than during the school year (how is that even possible!?!?). Balancing the mental load of keeping everyone happy while trying not to completely lose yourself in the process.

If you’ve ever hit mid-July wondering how the heck am I going to survive the rest of this summer?—this is for you.

The good news? There’s a better way. You can create an intentional summer that feels fulfilling instead of draining. A season where you’re still present for the magic, but not running yourself into the ground.

↠ Here’s how to finally ditch the burnout, set boundaries, and start to actually enjoy summer with the kids—without sacrificing your sanity.

1. Stop Over-Scheduling (Seriously, Just Stop.)

It’s easy to scroll through social media and feel like you should be doing more. More activities, more outings, more everything. But here’s the truth: trying to cram it all in is a fast track to total mom burnout.

My favorite sanity-saving shift?

Instead of planning something every single day, stick to one or two main outings per week. It gives your kids something to look forward to. At home you don’t have to plan a specific activity for everyday either. Let them be bored and find things to do! They need that time to get creative, we do not have to structure, EVERYTHING!

↠ My Summer Game-Changer:

〰 Anchor Days → Pick certain days for planned fun (think Tuesday = Library, Friday = Beach & Pizza) so your week has a rhythm without the daily decision fatigue.

〰 Let them be bored → Seriously. Boredom is a gift. That’s where creativity comes alive. Create a few simple activity bins—Legos, puzzles, crafts—and let them choose their own adventure. You might just end up sitting down with them and getting in on the fun.

*Want more simple, nostalgic ideas for summer fun?*

Check out my **Retro Summer Fun** blog post for old-school activities that keep kids engaged—without screens.

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2. Create a Summer Home Rhythm (Not a Strict Routine!)

The school-day schedule may be long gone—but that doesn’t mean your house has to slip into full-on chaos. And no, you don’t need a perfectly time-blocked daily plan to keep your sanity.

Instead, try setting a summer rhythm—a gentle, flexible flow to the day that gives everyone a sense of what's coming without boxing you in. Think of it as a supportive structure that allows space for spontaneity, slower mornings, and realistic expectations.

↠ Here’s what an Intentional Summer Rhythm might look like:

✧ Early Morning → Slow start, easy breakfast, outdoor play or a nature walk

✧ Late Morning → Independent play, quiet reading, crafts, or rest time (maybe this is the time, mom, that you get some work or extra cleaning in while not being bothered!)

✧ Afternoon → Optional outing, water play, or light errands

✧ Evening → Simple dinner, family connection time, and bedtime reset

Bonus Mom Hack:

Set expectations early in the day. A quick “Here’s what we are planning today” check-in helps curb the constant “What are we doing next?” questions and gives your kids the structure they’re actually craving (even if they don’t know it yet!).

3. Meal Plan for Sanity (But Keep It Simple!)

No one wants to spend their summer over a hot stove while everyone else is outside living their best life. But also? The kids still expect three meals a day (plus 47 snacks). 🙃

The key? A low-stress meal plan you can pull from without scrambling at 5 p.m.

↠ Summer Meal Prep Game Plan:

〰️ Stock the fridge with grab-and-go staples.

Think: pre-cut fruit, hard-boiled eggs, string cheese, yogurt, and easy snack boxes for the kids. I leave these snacks in arm's reach for the littles to grab themselves! (obviously judge your own kid's ages for what is appropriate!)

〰️ Batch prep 1–2 main things a week.

Grill up some chicken, make a pasta salad, prep taco meat—that way you’re not cooking from scratch every night.

〰️ Rotate easy dinners on repeat.

Theme nights save your brain: taco night, pasta night, burger night. No overthinking, just real food that works.

Mom Tip: You don’t have to meal plan so much as you meal simplify. Pick your staples, prep a few things, and release the pressure to make it exciting every day. It’s summer—keep it chill.

*Need More Meal Ideas*?

Check out my post 3 Simple Summer Meal Prep Ideas for Busy Moms—packed with stress-free staples, realistic tips and quick wins to make feeding your family feel way less overwhelming

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4. Don’t Forget You: Summer Self-Care for Moms

Let’s be real—summer (okay, every season) makes it way too easy to put yourself last. You’re juggling snacks, sunscreen, and sibling squabbles… and suddenly it’s 9 p.m. and you haven’t even sat down.

But here’s the truth: you take better care of your family, when you have nourished yourself!

This is a lesson I’ve had to learn the hard way—but every time I choose to actually nourish myself, I notice everything else flows just a little bit easier. The kids feel it. The home feels it. And even on the hard days (because yes, those still happen), the energy shifts.

So what does realistic summer self-care look like for moms who literally never get a moment alone? Here’s what’s worked for me:

🌿 Simple Summer Self-Care Ideas:

〰️ 5-Minute Reset – Step outside. Breathe. Stretch. Pop in earbuds and play a song that lifts your mood. Give yourself just five minutes to drop back into your body.

〰️ Evening Rituals – A calming shower, a bath, skincare, a short prayer or meditation. One of my favorites after a long, hot day? A shower followed by a layer of coconut oil—it’s simple, grounding (and budget-friendly!)

〰️ Weekend Recharge – You deserve time off too. Even just one hour. Make a list of things that bring you joy (alone), and have your husband or support system step in. A solo Target run counts. 😉

*Looking for Some Extra Self-Care Inspo?*

Check out my **Mom Self-Care Kit**—a go-to list of things to keep you grounded, nourished, and sane this season

Read more ↠

Let This Be Your Summer of Intention

It’s so easy to slip into survival mode. But you deserve to enjoy summer, too.

This season doesn’t have to be just about entertaining the kids. It can also be about you enjoying the time with them too! Finding joy (in the chaos), slowing down, and creating space for the things that matter (those memories are created for both you and your littles!). Because, as chaotic as summer can feel, it’s also fleeting. And we only get so many summers with our kids.