Parenting Through Summer: Surviving the Chaos, Making the Memories
By a busy parent with a very full calendar and a trunk full of snacks
Ah, summer. That magical time of year when the world collectively agrees we should be making core memories daily — even while we’re still working, parenting, bug-spraying, sunblocking, and wondering how in the actual world camp only lasts three hours.
Don’t get me wrong, we love our kids. We love that it’s warm and we can eat popsicles outside and grow vegetables (at least one total salads worth). We love the slightly slower mornings. But summer as a working parent? It’s...a lot.
The Schedule Shuffle
During the school year, there's a beautiful stretch of consistency — a 7-hour window where you know where your kids are and what they’re doing. But once June hits, you're navigating half-day camps that require multiple daily drop-offs, coordinating playdates, and trying to remember which themed day requires crazy socks or a costume from 2013’s Halloween.
All in the name of summer fun!
The Pressure to “Make It Magical”
There’s a subtle but very real pressure to make summer unforgettable. Between Instagram and the neighbor who built a backyard ninja course, it’s easy to feel like you’re somehow behind if your summer doesn’t include screen-free crafts, homemade popsicles, a multi-state road trip in a camper van, and weekly STEM activities.
Meanwhile, I’m over here congratulating myself for remembering to bring sunscreen and only forgetting one water bottle.
But the reality? Your kids are thrilled with a trip to the local pool and a drive-thru milkshake. Their bar is much lower than Pinterest would have you believe.
How to Make the Most of It (Without Losing It)
If you're feeling stretched thin, you're not alone. Here's how to make summer count — for your family and your sanity.
- Redefine “Memorable”
Magic doesn’t have to be expensive, extravagant, or even planned. Let your kids stay up late to spot stars. Say yes to ice cream before dinner. Let them wear pajamas all day. These little yes’es are the moments they’ll remember — and they don’t require extra planning. - Pick One Weekly “Thing”
Choose one thing each week — a hike, a new park, a simple picnic — and let it anchor the week. Give yourself a rhythm, not a schedule. One weekly adventure: a hike, the pool, or even just a walk to the corner store for slushies. If you do one thing each week, it stacks up into a summer full of magic without the overwhelm.The consistency creates rhythm without overwhelming your calendar. - Outsource When You Can
This is where we gently remind you: you don’t have to do it all. Have someone else prep meals for the week. Hire a neighborhood teen to help entertain your kids for an hour or two. Use a service like TULA (hi!) to run your errands, return those Amazon impulse buys, or pick up the sunscreen you forgot for the third time. - Let Some Things Go
Maybe the dishes aren’t done. Maybe your child is living in swimwear. Maybe dinner is three types of fruit and half a granola bar. It’s fine. This is a season, not a standard. Let go of perfection and lean into connection.
Remember What Matters
At the end of the day, your kids don’t need a perfectly orchestrated summer. They need to laugh with you. Ride bikes. Get a little bored and then wildly creative. They need memories that feel easy and warm.
So take a breath. You’re doing great. You’re making magic in the midst of chaos — and they’ll remember that far more than the missed camp costume day.
And if you ever need a hand carrying the mental (and literal) load? TULA’s here for that. We’ve got your back — so you can get back to your summer.