SUMMER TIPS FOR SINGLE MOMS TRYING TO KEEP IT TOGETHER WITHOUT LOSING THEIR MINDS

When Summer Feels Like A Lot (because it is)

School's out. Your kids are home. Your home is a little louder. A little messier. And the snacks seem to disappear faster than you can buy them.

You might've started summer with big ideas, with family outings, routines, crafts, fresh fruit, laughter in the backyard, and spending quality time with your kids. But somewhere along the way, it becomes just you with three baskets of laundry, sticky floors, and someone asking for a snack.....again!

If that feels familiar, you're not alone. A survey by Motherly found that 72% of moms report feeling overwhelmed during summer break.

No school means more hours to fill. More needs to be met. More voices. And less time to yourself.

Of course, summer is the time when everything should feel light and fun, but for a lot of moms, it can actually be overwhelming.

If you're that overwhelmed mom, here are some gentle summer tips for single moms who are trying their best. These are not ideas to keep your kids entertained or tips to be productive. These are just some gentle reminders for you.

9 Gentle Summer Tips for Single Moms Who Need a Breather

Know that you definitely do not have to do it all. And it's okay if the summer you imagined looks very different from the one you're living.

You Don't Have To Compete With Someone Else's Summer

Maybe you're seeing the beach vacations and the beautifully curated moments on Instagram, and you're wondering to yourself if you're doing enough.

You are.

You're doing summer in your own way, for your family, with your resources and energy. And that's more than enough. Other people's highlights don't make your reality or your effort less than.

You Are Allowed To Let Go

Let the floors get sticky for a bit. Let them go wild with popsicles. Let them stay up to catch a sunset or run in sprinklers. It'll be okay.

Summer isn't about perfection. It's a presence. You don't need a checklist of how to "do summer right". You just need to be there.

This is one of the tips for single moms that's more about you than your kids. You are allowed to let go.

After all, it's summer!

Meltdowns Will Happen

Summer meltdowns often stem from sensory overload.

Too much sun, heat, sugar, noise, and even being out of the normal routine can trigger big feelings.

Try simple things.

Offer snacks more often. Keep water bottles close by. Create cool-down corners. Give them a break from simulation.

A little prevention can go a long way.

Boundaries Still Matter (Even During Summer)

It's summer, not a free-for-all.

You can say no and still be the fun mom that you are.

Having boundaries and limits helps kids feel safe. They actually need more, especially when their days feel loose and undefined.

So yes, you can say, "No more screens for today", or "We're eating at the table", or "You're allowed to be upset, but you're not allowed to hit".

Keeping and holding boundaries is parenting. You don't stop just because it's summer!

You Don't Have To Fill Every Second

If your kids say they're bored. It's okay. You don't have to rush in and crack your brain trying to figure something out for them.

Your kids' boredom does not mean you've failed. Being bored is normal. It's human. You're not their entertainment committee. You don't have to plan activities from morning to night.

Let them be bored. Boredom can actually give them space to be creative. To explore, imagine, and maybe even slow down.

Letting go of the need to "keep them busy" is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself, especially if you're already stretched thin.

Connection Doesn't Have to be Big or Perfect

You don't really need to plan a Pinterest-worthy picnic or even an epic day at the zoo.

Connection happens in small moments.

It's in the way you look up when they're talking. It's in the hug you give after a meltdown. It's in sharing a bowl of watermelon on the porch.

Don't underestimate the power of these small things because they all add up.

Messy Moments Don't Mean You Failed

The house might look as if a tornado just passed through it.

But your kids won't remember all that. They'll remember how you let them let their imagination run wild with their forts and extensive obstacle course in the living room. They'll remember how you joined in the fun. They'll remember how you let them stay up a little longer. They'll remember how you joined them running through the sprinklers in the backyard. Or how you laughed with them at bedtime.

You're doing enough, even if the dishes sit a little longer.

Your Days Can Feel Chaotic, And That's Normal

When the normal routine that your kids are used to goes out the window, so does regulation. If your kids are acting out, whinning a bit more than usual, it's not because you're a bad mom.

It's not your fault. It's because kids thrive on rhythm and summer throws that rhythm off.

You can add a little routine to your days without it being too strict. Breakfast together. A walk after dinner. Reading before bed. Simple things that help everyone feel a little more grounded, even during summer.

Your Kids Will Remember How They Felt With You

Not the arts and crafts. Not the matching outfits. Not the schedule.

They'll remember how you made them feel. Whether they felt heard. Whether they felt safe. Whether they felt loved. That's what sticks.

The rest is extra.

It's Okay If This Summer Doesn't Look Like A Postcard

You might not have elaborate plans. You might be exhausted. Maybe you're working through things. Maybe you're just trying to keep your head above water.

Still, your presence matters more than any plan.

So go ahead and give yourself permission to keep it simple. As simple as you want it to be. To rest when you can. To let the house be loud and messy and imperfect.

And always remember that even on the hardest of days, you're still their safe place. And that's more than enough.

Because these summer days are made up of ordinary moments that don't need to be extraordinary to actually matter.

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