How to Navigate Summer as a Parent (Without Overcomplicating It)
Hello Well Brain Family,
Is anyone thinking about summer yet? 😎
Hi, Meg Johnson here, Well Brain’s social worker. We’re back with another article on parenting, this time with a focus on the upcoming season. I want to share some ways I am approaching this summer and supporting my parent clients in doing the same.
The “Nervcited” Feeling Is Real
I often tell my clients that excitement and anxiety can feel similar (nervcited anyone?). Many parents can feel both excited and nervous as summer approaches. Do any of these sound familiar?
🏕️ How can I help prepare my child for sleepaway camp?
⛱️ Did we sign up for enough programs or perhaps we're already feeling over committed?
🤹🏼♂️ How am I going to juggle work and family time?
These questions are incredibly common and they make sense. Summer often brings a shift in routine, expectations, and structure, which can create both opportunity and pressure.
A Simple Reset for Summer Planning
Let's take a collective deep breath and set a conscious intention for a summer that feels fulfilling, productive, and rejuvenating. Instead of trying to optimize every moment, it can help to come back to a few foundational elements.
Dr. Lisa Damour suggests focusing on the acronym S.U.N.
😴 S = sleep
📵 U = unplugging
🌿 N = nature
For all our non-parent subscribers, how can you practice SUN for yourself this summer? This framework offers a simple, practical way to support emotional wellbeing for both kids and adults.
If you’re feeling the pressure to “get summer right,” the Good Enough Parent Toolkit can be a helpful place to start.
Why Simpler Often Works Better
Personally, I have a tendency to overcomplicate things, and when it comes to summer plans, my goal this year is to return to the basics and simplify. In his book, The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt discusses that the rise in youth mental health issues is linked to a move towards smartphone-based childhoods and overprotective parenting.
Based on his significant research, Haidt makes a pragmatic plea for more free play and independence, and suggests limiting screen time and social media access. One of the most powerful strategies we can implement with our children is modeling the behaviors we want to see.
That may mean:
intentionally putting our phones down
getting to bed earlier
spending more time outside
allowing for unstructured play
These small shifts can have a meaningful impact on how kids experience their summer—and how we do too.
What This Can Look Like in Real Life
In keeping wellness as a priority this summer, I plan to focus on:
getting quality sleep
consuming nourishing food
spending time with friends and family
engaging in positive leisure activities
These are not complicated strategies but they are often the ones that matter most.
In the meantime though, let’s enjoy spring!
Meg Johnson and the Well Brain Team
What We're Reading:
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Haidt.
The book explores the shift from a "play-based childhood" to a "phone-based childhood" and its impact on children's social and neurological development.
What We're Watching:
5 Essential Skills to Weather Life’s Storms with Dr. Aliza Pressman & Dr. Lisa Damour.
No matter how you were raised or how your kids have been parented up until now, you can start using “The 5 Principles of Parenting” to create a meaningful system that’s aligned with your values and your children’s unique temperaments.