Summer Survival Guide for Parents
For kids, summer break screams fun – sleeping in, no homework, and lots of exciting activities and adventures.
But summer break isn’t always a break for parents – it’s a wonderful bonding time, but it can be a lot of juggling. Regular routines go out the window. Activities, rides and childcare need to be coordinated. Work schedules get disrupted, and exercise time is sidelined.
The house is messier, the fridge emptier, and there’s little downtime – that’s unless you ship them off to camp for the entire summer. Joking aside, parents need a break during summer vacation too! Some all-important self-care with a healthy dose of peace and quiet is essential to save your sanity.
Avoid summer burnout by making self-care a priority. That means setting up stress-free moments and breaks away from the “I’m hungry” and the “I’m bored.” Prioritize your mental health by doing little things that bring you joy, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed. You’ll feel more energized and balanced, and in turn, you’ll create a healthier, more balanced environment for everyone.
Keep in mind these practical summer self-care tips:
Meditate and hydrate – it’s so important to stay hydrated and breathe. Things can get stressful and chaotic, so boosting concentration with a few moments of early morning meditation and deep breathing can help ease stress and anxiety and leave you feeling renewed and calm for the day ahead. End the day with deep breathing and gratitude – get the kids to join you for a few calming moments together.
Boost your mood with small pockets of alone time. Little daily joys add up and help us hold things together – an uninterrupted shower, a bit of backyard yoga, a few minutes outside on the patio sipping green tea or eating a snack that you don’t have to share! Sunshine, vitamin D and nature are healing and great mood boosters.
Book some off-duty hours. Just like you schedule everyone’s activities and appointments in the calendar, schedule in some well-earned me-time. Your spouse can take over or bring in a responsible sitter so you are clear and free to nap, take a luxurious bath or simply read a juicy novel. If your budget doesn’t allow you to pay for a sitter, consider a friend kid-swap or asking a family member to help.
Likely best to seek some planned self-care outside of the house, too, as your little shadows will find you. Book a relaxing massage or that facial you’ve been putting off. Grab a book and go to the park. Take in an afternoon matinee and enjoy the AC and buttered popcorn – even solo. Catch up with a friend over coffee. Simple self-care soothes the mind and body, eases tension and pushes the reset button.
Nourish yourself with a peaceful pause at the spa. Get away for a day retreat or make it a relaxing overnight stay focused on you and the very best of self-care at Ste. Anne’s Spa. You’re always so busy taking care of others; let us take care of you. It’s a guaranteed feel-good way to spend your me-time, whether in the sauna, hydrotherapy pools or during a rejuvenating massage. Recharge with a walk in nature, delicious food, wellness classes or a host of other health-boosting amenities and services. Come solo or enjoy some deep relaxation with your partner or bestie.
Carving out some time away from parenting takes some proactive planning. Don’t feel guilty about it. Taking care of ourselves is good for our kids – we’re better physically and mentally to enjoy time together and make memories. Not only do your kids deserve healthy and happy parents, but you deserve to be healthy and happy.
Everyone thrives with a balance of routine, family time and relaxing time. Maintain healthy habits, meal times and bedtimes as much as possible over the summer. It may be tempting to ditch routines, but sticking to a predictable schedule pays off by keeping kids healthy and more cooperative.
Don’t pressure yourself to curate or overschedule the rest of the summer. Let go of the stresses to create the perfect, magical summer for your family. It’s a good time to slow down and have the freedom to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
You don’t have to overhaul your life, just begin with one small choice a day that honours your needs and wellbeing. You are worthy of care. You are worthy of rest. When you model self-care, you are teaching your children how to do it too.
