Almost Summer!: Helping Kids and Parents Protect Their Mental Health This Season

As the school year begins to wind down and the days get longer, many families start looking forward to summer break. For children and teens, summer often represents freedom, fun, and fewer responsibilities. For parents, it can bring excitement—but also new stressors related to routines, childcare, schedules, screen time, and emotional balance.

The transition into summer is the perfect time for families to slow down, reconnect, and prioritize mental wellness together.

Tips for Supporting Mental Wellness This Summer

1. Keep Some Structure

Children thrive with predictability. While summer does not need to be rigid, maintaining a loose routine can help children feel safe and emotionally regulated.

Consider creating:

• Consistent sleep/wake times
• Daily movement or outdoor time
• Family meals together
• Quiet time or reading time
• Limited but balanced screen time

2. Encourage Emotional Expression

Summer can create more opportunities for meaningful conversations. Encourage children to talk openly about their feelings without fear of judgment.

Helpful prompts:

• “What was the best part of your day?”
• “What’s something that felt hard today?”
• “What helps you calm down when you feel upset?”

Sometimes children simply need to feel heard and validated.

3. Prioritize Connection Over Perfection

Not every summer moment has to be packed with activities, vacations, or expensive experiences. Emotional connection matters more than a perfect summer schedule.

Simple moments like:

• Taking walks
• Cooking together
• Playing games
• Watching movies
• Sitting outside and talking

can significantly strengthen family relationships and emotional security.

4. Get Outside

Sunlight, fresh air, and movement can positively impact mood and emotional health for both children and adults.

Ideas include:

• Nature walks
• Bike rides
• Water play
• Family exercise challenges
• Parks or outdoor picnics

Physical movement is one of the most natural ways to support emotional regulation.

5. Model Healthy Coping Skills

Children learn emotional habits by watching adults. Parents who openly practice self-care, emotional awareness, and healthy coping strategies teach children valuable lifelong skills.

Examples:

• Taking breaks when overwhelmed
• Using calming breathing exercises
• Setting boundaries with technology
• Asking for help when needed

Mental Health for Parents Matters Too

Parents often carry the emotional weight of the household. Balancing work, parenting, finances, and everyday stress can feel exhausting—especially during seasonal changes.

Remember:

• You do not have to do everything perfectly.
• Rest is productive.
• Asking for support is healthy.
• Your emotional wellness impacts your child’s wellness.

Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it helps you show up more fully for your family.

A Gentle Reminder

Summer does not have to be “perfect” to be meaningful.

Children are more likely to remember:

• Feeling safe
• Feeling loved
• Feeling heard
• Feeling connected

As summer approaches, focus less on creating a picture-perfect season and more on creating emotionally healthy moments together.

Small moments of connection often leave the biggest impact.