Creating Summer Ease: The Secret to Patience, Presence and Fun this summer
Feeling overwhelmed this summer with the kids? Discover simple self-care tips and structure hacks to create more ease, flow, and magick in your days.
You were super excited about a summer break filled with ease, fun and being fully present enjoying time with your kids. But you’re two weeks in, your kids are fighting, you’re getting frustrated and things don’t feel as fun, flowy and ease filled as you had imagined. It’s ok, you’re not alone! AND there is plenty of time to get things back on track to those dreamy summer days.
Check in with yourself FIRST!
I always find that when I am getting frustrated, beginning to lose patience with my kids or even being short with my husband, it actually has NOTHING to do with them and everything to do with where my own needs are not currently being met. The ones closest to us don’t always know or understand this, nor is it their responsibility! We need to learn to give ourselves space to understand what our needs are and then be able to give ourselves permission to prioritize those needs.
I find that for most women it is very difficult to give ourselves permission. When I learned HOW to do this for myself, it was the very thing that positively and profoundly shifted everything in my life.
In order to do this you simply must slow down and give yourself some space to just check in and listen. I often hear people say “find a quiet moment” but I really want to stress the importance of prioritizing a quiet moment, breathing deeply, and asking, “What am I really feeling right now?” Your inner wisdom always knows what you need — whether it’s rest, connection, creative expression, or simply a few moments of peace.
Try journaling your feelings or even speaking them out loud. This small act of self-awareness can be a game-changer.
Questions to support you:
What is going on beneath this frustration/overwhelm/etc.?
What do I need at this moment?
What keeps tugging at me that wants to be expressed?
Is there something calling me that I’m not making time to pursue?
Let your inner voice guide you, it knows what you need!
Honor the New Rhythms of Summer
Just as it takes some time to adjust to the routines and structure of a new school year, Summer has its own unique rhythm and sometimes this can be an equally challenging adjustment.Your family’s routines are shifting, and it’s important to understand how to settle into the new flow.
Have you created space to get clear on your own summer expectations? What do you want for yourself and your family? Maybe it is simply more ease and going with the flow after a school year filled with rigid schedules and structures. Maybe it’s more fun and adventures or trying to pack in as much as possible during these sun drenched months. Maybe you are excited for your kids’ activities to slow down so you can have some extra time to pursue a new hobby or creative endeavor.
I used to think that the idea of just “being in the flow” of summer sounded great but I quickly learned that didn’t quite work for me! I now understand that the most ease, flow and fun comes from structure! When we create a structure, we actually create space for the ease and spontaneity that happens in between, that’s the magick! It cuts the chaos and stress and invites the ease we are craving in this season.
Consider creating a loose summer schedule that includes blocks of time for play, rest, and activities — but keep it flexible enough to allow for that weekday picnic dinner in the park or a weekend road trip. This balance between structure and flow will help reduce stress and keep everyone happier.
And don’t forget about the first point above! It’s very easy to start to deprioritize your needs with shifts in schedules and routines. It is often the first thing to go. Make sure you are prioritizing the time you need to continue to do what fuels YOU. Get the workout in or go on the walk, keep prioritizing your morning meditation or simply starting your day before everyone wakes up to enjoy your coffee outside. This will help you feel your best, and if you are happy, your family will be too!
Practical tips for more structure AND flow!
Ditch the curated “summer bucket lists” you see all over Pinterest and Instagram and sit down as a family to come up with a bucket list unique to what's important to each member of your family. Post it somewhere you will look at regularly.
Grab your calendar. Start penciling in those special moments so they don’t get swept away in the flow of summer. Love those Wednesday night park concerts, get them on the calendar so you don’t forget. Sure a spontaneous picnic sounds great but you know what’s even better, actually doing it! Getting it on the calendar makes room for fun!
Now you’ve got the bigger items on the calendar, zoom in a little more. What do you want your weeks and days to look like? Create a schedule! My kids have summer work for school so I have planned to spend about 30 minutes doing that in the mornings. My kids like some ‘veg time’ in addition to fun activities so I will work that into the schedule and that can then be when I work on my blog.
Create 1:1 time with those you love. With the school year feeling so busy I like to plan 1:1 time with each of my kids so I can really be present with them and allow them to do things that are special to them. This can be as simple as going to a movie, going on a bike ride, etc.
Surrender to the summer! You have a plan but you don’t have to follow it to a ‘T’. Remember the loose structure is to create space for spontaneity, for magick! Let go and be in the spirit and energy of this season.
Be prepared for spontaneous moments!
When I think about how I want my summer to look, I think first about how I want it to feel! I don’t want to feel stressed or like we are rushing all over the place. I don’t want a nice evening picnicking in the park to start off by spending way too long getting everything together for the picnic. So, I like to get organized and get things in order so I’m ready for those spontaneous moments. It feels so much better to me when I’m organized because I feel at ease and when I feel at ease, everyone feels better!
Here are some tips:
Create a summer essentials zone. Designate a place where the beach/pool/outdoor bag is always packed and ready to go along with sunscreen, bug spray, towels, blanket, reusable cutlery, snacks etc. Make your life easy by cleaning out your bag, washing towels, getting everything back in order as soon as you get home so they can be ready at a moment's notice the next time. I know this step can seem daunting after a long day but it is worth the ease for the next time you go to use it!
Anytime picnic. Keep a blanket in your car along with utensils, plates and napkins for anytime the mood for a picnic might strike.
Have food and snacks ready. There are about five salads I make on repeat all summer long. These go with us to the pool, beach, park, bbq’s and more. While I use glass pyrex dishes most of the time I do like the plastic nesting bowls I have as they are so much lighter when transporting. I can quickly and effortlessly put together a healthy and delicious meal to take on the go. I will be sure to add these recipes to this blog ASAP and will add the link here once I do!
Additionally, having your favorite cheeses, crackers, dips, etc. makes for a quick and beautiful spread for a picnic and don’t forget to pick up a baguette during your trip to the market. Even if you end up staying home it will feel like a little summer luxury to sit outside by candlelight and have some wine, bread and cheese!
Keep your house tidy. I find that when my house feels clean and light, I feel more energetic, inspired and at ease. I am also much more likely to invite friends over for a spontaneous dinner party or drinks on the patio. A clean house also means there is less I feel like I “have” to do and more fun I can choose to have instead!
Embrace Summer Rituals
Summer has its own kind of rhythm — slower, softer, and more expansive. When you lean into that energy and create simple rituals to anchor your days, everything begins to flow with more ease. These don’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. Think popsicles on the porch after lunch, barefoot walks through the grass, or lighting a candle and setting an intention before dinner. These small, intentional acts become touchstones — helping you stay present and attuned, even in the mess and magic of motherhood.
Remember that rituals do not have to be some grand gesture as it is more about the presence we bring to the moment that makes it special. As a child I vividly remember sitting on our front porch at night listening to the Whippoorwills. It still feels special and magical to me and even though I did not necessarily understand this then, I think in some way I certainly felt very connected to the Earth.
Rituals also help your kids feel safe, held, and connected. A morning moment of gratitude, a weekly “summer adventure day,” or a bedtime storytelling circle can bring rhythm and joy to your home. These little traditions create the kind of memories that last — not because they were perfect, but because they were meaningful. So give yourself permission to slow down, be present, and find your family’s unique rituals that make this season feel sacred.
Where can you work ritual into your days? Where can you create more moments to be mindful? Maybe simply take a few minutes to reflect on the rituals and traditions you want to include in this summer season.
Simple Summer Ritual Ideas
Morning coffee outside in bare feet
Dinner by candle light
Morning “circle” time with intention setting
Ending your evening outside and sharing what you are grateful for
Star gazing
Summer Solstice party (one of my personal favorites)
Family walk after dinner
Have everyone write activities they would like to do on small pieces of paper. Put the pieces of paper in a bowl and every week pull out a new activity.
Weekly board game night
Summer doesn’t have to be perfect to be magical. By slowing down, tuning in, and creating a rhythm that works for you, you’ll find more ease, flow, and joy in these sun-soaked days. Trust yourself, embrace the mess and the beauty, and remember — the real magic is in being present.