Last Updated on June 4, 2025
Summer often arrives with high hopes and big plans. As moms, we look forward to long, leisurely days. We dream of time to rest, relax, and create lasting memories with our children.
But sometimes, the season doesn’t unfold the way we imagined.
I remember one summer when my boys were younger. My intention was to enjoy slow mornings, time spent reading together, and a few creative activities sprinkled in to give me a break keep the kids engaged. I pictured trying new recipes, soaking up family time, and savoring the freedom from our usual routine.
Instead, we were constantly on the go.
Track meets, family camp, playdates, errands. It all added up. The days blurred together in a swirl of fast food dinners and video games while I caught up on work. The books we meant to read sat unopened, and my dreams of a slow, intentional summer were quickly replaced with a packed schedule.
That summer taught me something valuable…
If you want a meaningful season, you have to be intentional about it.
If you’ve ever found yourself looking up in August wondering where your summer went, this post is for you.
3 Tips for a Meaningful Summer
Here are a few of my best tips to help you plan a summer that brings joy without wearing you out.
1. Think About It
Before you start adding things to your family calendar, pause and ask yourself: What’s the win?
When summer ends, what do you want to have experienced? What would make you feel like this season was a success for you and your family? Maybe it’s spending more time together. Maybe it’s getting rest. Maybe it’s teaching your kids something new or helping them grow spiritually.
Once you’re clear on what your win is, ask your family about theirs. Make time to talk over dinner or hold a family meeting after a meal to put all of the ideas on the table. Let the summer become a shared vision born from open communication where everyone feels heard and valued.
Maybe one child wants more time at the pool while another hopes for movie nights or trips to the library. A family conversation can set the tone for a summer that serves everyone without overwhelming anyone.
2. Plan for It
With your goals in mind, build a structure that creates space for rest, play, and connection. You don’t need to plan every moment, but having a rhythm in place helps guide your days with purpose.
Here are a few practical ways to make that happen:
– Set limits on screen time.
Summer can quickly dissolve into hours of video games or YouTube. Decide what’s reasonable for your home and stick to it. Consider tying screen time to reading, chores, or outdoor play. Boundaries give kids freedom within structure, and help you stay sane. And trust me. The less screen time, the better your summer will be and the more lasting memories you will create.
– Welcome boredom.
Believe it or not, boredom is not a problem to solve—it’s a gift. When kids are bored, their creativity comes alive. They find ways to play, build, imagine, and explore. Give them time to be bored and watch what they come up with. It’s often more meaningful than anything we could plan.
– Use the “Littles, Middles, Bigs” framework.
Littles need exposure. Introduce them to new sights, sounds, and simple adventures. Water tables, park picnics, and baking cookies all count.
Middles need experiences. Plan outings, crafts, and hands-on learning. These years are full of curiosity and wonder, so lean into it.
Bigs need engagement. Teens want to feel involved. Invite them into adult conversations, ask for their input, and encourage them to take ownership of some family activities.
Find out what’s fun for them and lean into their interests and excitement. And if they behave more like “bumps-on-a-log”, do what’s fun for you and drag them along. They will thank you later.
3. Relax
Finally, give yourself permission to breathe.
You are not your children’s cruise director. You are their mom. Your presence matters more than your performance. Some days will be fun, some will feel long, and some will include more fast food than you’d like, but that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
Perfection isn’t the goal. Presence is.
Let your summer be flexible. Say yes to rest. Say yes to laughter. Say yes to less. The magic of the season is not in doing all the things. It’s in being with your people, wherever you are.
So here’s to a summer that’s simple, sacred, and full of little wins.
Need help planning your activities for the summer?
DOWNLOAD MY LIST OF 50 SUMMER ACTIVITIES TO HELP YOU GET STARTED.