Mom Summer Survival: 10 Things You Can Say No To
Summer vacation is upon us and around here there is no “hot girl summer.” There’s not even a hot mom summer. Keep reading if you’re ready for a slowdown summer!
Summer is supposed to feel easy, breezy, and a little bit magical. But for stay at home moms it can quickly turn into the season of overwhelm. Between nonstop snacks, never-ending “I’m bored” complaints, and a Pinterest-perfect pressure to make every moment count, it’s enough to make you want to skip straight to September. Except I know you don’t really want to skip to September but you just need a little help to make summer vacation the ultimate mom summer too. This summer, I’m protecting my peace like it’s SPF 100. And that means saying no, loudly, clearly, and without guilt, to the things that drain me! Keep reading for the mom summer that looks less hot and more like boundaries and sunscreen.
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10 Things To Say No To For A Mom Summer That Your Kids Will Love
Summer is about your kids, but it’s about you too! Especially if you need to keep your sanity and you want to enjoy the time with your kids. Here are 10 things I’m giving a hard pass to this summer in order to slow down and have fun. I urge you to give these tips a try too and let me know in the comment section below what you think!
1. Over-scheduling our days
PSA: You don’t need to have a million plans every day to have a fun summer! In fact, you might find your summer is way more fun if there’s no more than one activity planned a day (or less!) More than that and I’m already tired. We’re keeping it slow and intentional. More backyard sprinkler days, less outing chaos.
2. Guilt-tripping myself for screen time
Yes, my kids will watch movies. Sometimes summer days are too hot or rainy and being stuck inside is inevitable. While I’m all for limiting screens (especially devices) I won’t feel guilty for lazy TV days. I’m still a good mom.
3. Making elaborate summer “buckets”
Summer bucket lists are fun and all but we’re not checking off a list like it’s a job. If we eat popsicles and run through the sprinkler, we win! I’m all about focusing on the small bucket list items, because that’s what’s doable and those are the best memory-makers in my book!
4. Saying yes to every invitation
It’s ok to say no! No, we can’t make every BBQ, playdate, or splash pad meetup and that’s ok. If it doesn’t work for our rhythm or my sanity for that day, it’s a no. Honestly, driving around all summer is not that great. It’s hard to be go-go-go all the time.
5. Feeling bad for needing alone time
If your kids are home all summer long, you’ll need breaks more than ever! I’m not like wishing away summer or excited for school to start either. Just because the kids are home more doesn’t mean I disappear. I need breaks, quiet, and time that’s just mine too! So no feeling bad for taking a few minutes just for you, like hitting the gym, reading a book in the backyard, or sitting alone in your room while the kids watch TV.
6. Feeding everyone 3 full meals a day
Three full meals a day is A LOT.😂 This summer I’m gonna try snack plates. Picnic lunches. Cereal for dinner, maybe even ice cream! Whatever works. No shame in the summer meal game. In fact, if you have a great summer meal idea, drop it in the comment section below and help another mama out.
7. Forcing myself to do summer crafts
I’m not a huge arts and crafts fan. I’ll color and stuff, but I’m not planning elaborate summer crafts for my kids. It’s just not my thing. I’m all about letting my kids use their imagination, playing make believe, and finding their own fun. I don’t need to plan and dictate the entire day.
8. Trying to keep the house spotless
Even though this makes me die a little inside, it’s almost impossible to keep the house clean in the summer. So I must accept it. If there’s sunscreen on the floor and sidewalk chalk on the porch, that just means fun happened, right?
9. Putting my needs last
This is my summer too! I’m not going to feel burnt out so everyone else can have the “perfect” summer. I matter too and so do you! I think if you follow these tips your mom summer will be top notch and not all that bad.
10. Comparing our summer to everyone else’s
Above all else, there will be no comparing summers with another mom either in real life or on social media. And here’s a quick reminder: Instagram doesn’t show the tantrums, the mess, or the chaos. I’m living in our real, beautiful, imperfect summer, nobody else’s. Comparison is the thief of joy, so make your summer all about you and your kids and it will be the best summer ever!
Final Thoughts
Use these tips to remind yourself it’s ok to say no to the things that don’t serve you! If saying no makes space for more peace, joy, rest, or sanity then say it loud and say it proud! This is your summer too, mama, and you deserve to have fun while also relaxing. Do the things you and your family want to do and your mom summer won’t feel like just surviving, it’ll feel like living and thriving! ✌️
Now go make a snack plate, pour a cold drink, and enjoy the season your way!
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