Summer Dilemmas
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It’s Only June and I’m Already Dreading Summer: How am I going to keep my kids entertained, unplugged from their screens, and not break the bank?
By Taylor Brooks
June 29, 2022
There’s often a rosy nostalgia associated with summer and childhood, but let’s get real: for parents, summer means the pressure of keeping our kids off their devices while also juggling activities that don’t empty our wallets or disrupt our work-life balance. It’s tough!
Take, for example, the classic summer outing: a trip to the beach. We convince ourselves that a day by the ocean will be joyful, yet we know it often ends in chaos. After packing, hauling, and setting up all the gear, the kids inevitably complain about the sand, the waves, and the seagulls that won’t leave us alone.
In a bid to salvage the day, we surprise them with new sand toys, only for it to escalate into a fight over who gets to use the starfish mold. When we finally break out the frozen treats, we discover they’ve suddenly developed a preference for strawberry yogurt—too bad we only brought berry! Just when you think you’ve had enough, you’re left packing up and cleaning sand off everyone and everything. It’s enough to send any parent over the edge.
The word “summer” makes parents sweat—not just because of the heat—but because we’re left wondering how to entertain our kids for the next 65 days.
I know I’m not alone in feeling that the effort we put into summer activities rarely matches the outcome. Coordinating schedules and spending a fortune on camps and outings can lead to the all-too-frequent question: “Now what?” With each dollar spent, our expectations grow, all in the name of giving our kids a summer they’ll never forget. The phrase “We only have so many summers with our kids” nags at me, making me anxious about wasting this precious time.
I’m not sure when I started believing I needed to be my children’s constant entertainer—maybe it’s the mom guilt? Perhaps it’s because time flies when we’re busy. If we manage to do something that distracts them until bedtime, allowing me to indulge in late-night snacks, I’ll do whatever it takes.
When my kids were younger, I planned nearly daily outings—whether to the park, zoo, or playdates at fast-food joints. Every parent knows that getting out of the house helps maintain sanity, but I didn’t realize I was setting up an expectation for constant fun. Now, when summer arrives, they ask, “What’s next?” even before the current activity has concluded.
This year, I opted not to enroll them in as many camps. Spending a small fortune on activities they would only mildly enjoy didn’t seem worth it. I grew up without camps and turned out mostly fine. My summers were spent biking with friends until dusk and playing on a slip-n-slide. I was responsible for my own entertainment.
I now recognize how essential it is for kids to learn self-reliance without depending on screens. In an effort to teach them this lesson, I’ve started turning off the Wi-Fi and hiding the TV remotes. Just call me the Wicked Witch of Wi-Fi! Aaaah-hah-hah-hah!
As parents, we strive to create cherished memories for our children. I must remind myself that lasting memories don’t have to come from extravagant vacations. Simple moments can be just as valuable—like playing cards on a picnic blanket or enjoying popsicles while sharing silly jokes. Even if they leave wrappers scattered and quickly transition back to their devices, there’s a good chance they’ll want to repeat those moments the next day, which feels like a small victory.
I understand that even though they might be asking “Now what?” today, one day they’ll value those unstructured moments and the simple pleasure of taking it slow. The challenges of summer are palpable. Just when we start to embrace the freedom of these months, school will be back, bringing us back to the hectic routines. Honestly, I’m looking forward to a break from that chaos, and I know they are too. Maybe summer isn’t so bad after all.
Taylor Brooks is the voice behind “Mommy’s Little Laughs,” a blog where she captures the ups and downs of parenting. She resides on the West Coast with her spouse and two energetic kids. Taylor’s first book, “The Joys of Motherhood,” was released in 2021, and she’s currently working on a new collection of essays that delve into lessons learned during the first year of being a mom. Find her at mommyslittlelaughs.com and on social media @mommyslittlelaughs.
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In summary, summer can be challenging for parents trying to balance entertainment for their kids while managing finances and work-life responsibilities. It’s essential to embrace simplicity and find joy in unstructured moments, allowing children to learn self-entertainment rather than relying on screens.