From Schedules to Summer – Supporting Your Child (and Yourself) Through Transition

From Schedules to Summer – Supporting Your Child (and Yourself) Through Transition

The end of the school year can feel like a breath of fresh air… and a wave of uncertainty all at once. There are no more early-morning bus stops or last-minute permission slips, but there’s also no built-in structure, no routine, and a whole lot of “What now?”

Whether you love summer or dread it a little, one thing is true: transition is hard—especially for kids (and let’s be honest, for parents too).

In this article, we’ll talk about how to ease the shift from school to summer, support your child emotionally, and take care of your own mental health in the process.

Why Transitions Are Tricky

Transitions bring change, and change—no matter how positive—brings emotional and mental adjustment. Think about what your child is shifting away from:

• A predictable daily routine

• Social time with classmates

• Teacher relationships

• Learning and achievement milestones

• Built-in structure for meals, recess, and activities

Even if your child was ready for school to be over, this sudden loss of routine can cause emotional dysregulation, acting out, or increased anxiety.

And for you? That structure disappearing might mean juggling childcare, working from home with kids underfoot, planning summer schedules, managing boredom complaints, or simply figuring out what’s next. It’s a lot.

The Emotional Side of Summer Break

Let’s name a few common feelings—for both kids and parents:

Kids might feel:

• Excited but also a little nervous about change

• Bored without their usual stimulation

• Lonely missing school friends

• Overwhelmed with too much free time

• Anxious about upcoming transitions (like a new grade or teacher)

Parents might feel

• Relieved to be done with school demands

• Overwhelmed with childcare responsibilities

• Pressured to create a “perfect” summer

• Guilty about screen time, camp costs, or missed opportunities

• Disconnected from routines and personal space

Recognizing these emotions helps us respond with understanding, rather than judgment or reactivity.

Supporting Your Child Through the Transition

Here are some simple ways to help your child adjust emotionally and mentally to the change from school to summer:

1. Talk About the Transition

Kids don’t always understand why they feel “off” when seasons shift. You can help by naming it:

“I know things feel different right now. School is over, and our days don’t look the same. That can feel weird—even if we’re excited about summer.”

Normalize the awkward middle space between school ending and summer beginning.

2. Create a Loose Routine

You don’t need to recreate the school day, but kids do best with some predictability. Try using a daily rhythm:

• Morning: Breakfast, get dressed, short activity

• Midday: Lunch, quiet time, screen time or free play

• Afternoon: Outdoor play, crafts, errands

• Evening: Dinner, family time, bedtime

A simple checklist can help kids know what to expect while giving them some autonomy.

3. Build in Small Anchors

Weekly traditions can go a long way in helping kids feel secure:

• Monday movie night

• Wednesday water play

• Friday lunch picnic

• Saturday library trips

These don’t have to be elaborate—just consistent. Knowing what’s coming helps ease anxiety.

4. Make Room for Emotions

Even positive change can stir up big feelings. If your child is melting down more often or saying “I’m bored!” on repeat, try responding with curiosity:

“It sounds like today feels really hard. Do you think you’re missing school, or just not sure what to do?”

Avoid the urge to fix every moment of boredom. Sometimes kids just need space to feel.

5. Support Social Needs

If your child is missing friends, brainstorm ways to stay connected:

• Set up regular playdates
• Join a summer library program or sports league
• Let them send postcards or video messages to school friends
• Invite neighbors over for sidewalk chalk or popsicles

6. Create “Boredom Busters” Together

Make a boredom jar or board together with your child. Write down simple activities they can do when they say, “I don’t know what to do!”

Examples:

• Build a blanket fort
• Water the plants
• Make a Lego town
• Draw a comic
• Create a treasure hunt

The key is making it collaborative so they feel ownership.

Supporting Yourself Through the Transition

You can’t support your child well if you’re running on empty. Here are a few ways to care for your own mental health as summer begins:

1. Name the Pressure

Do you feel like you need to be “fun mom” or plan a picture-perfect summer? Pause.

It’s okay for summer to be slow. It’s okay if your child watches movies or plays independently. Let go of the myth that summer needs to be magical every day.

 2. Adjust Your Expectations

You might need to lower your standards for a clean house, home-cooked meals, or perfectly balanced schedules—and that’s okay.

Ask yourself:

“What matters most to me and my family this summer?”Let that guide your choices, not comparison or guilt.

3. Build in Breaks

Whether it’s a solo walk, coffee on the porch, or locking yourself in the bathroom for five minutes of silence (yes, we’ve all done it), find small ways to recharge.

If possible, coordinate childcare swaps with another parent or look into drop-in care for even just a few hours.

4. Say “No” to Overscheduling

You don’t have to fill every hour with activities, camps, or outings. In fact, kids benefit from unstructured time—and so do you.

Leave space in your week for rest, flexibility, and saying, “We’re doing nothing today—and that’s enough.”

5. Connect with Other Parents

Summer can feel isolating if you’re home with kids or juggling work and parenting. Text a friend, meet for coffee, or just vent in a group chat.

You’re not the only one wondering how it’s only 10 a.m. and someone’s already crying.

6. Model Self-Compassion

When things feel chaotic, remember to speak kindly to yourself. Try affirmations like:

• “I’m doing my best with what I have today.”

• “This season is hard, and that’s okay.”

• “I don’t need to be perfect to be a good parent.”

Your kids are watching how you handle transition—and they’ll learn to give themselves grace, too.

What If Summer Isn’t “Fun”?

Maybe you’re facing challenges this summer—a tight budget, limited support, a major life change, or personal grief. That’s real, and it’s okay.

Fun doesn’t have to mean travel or expense. Your presence, attention, and effort matter more than any summer camp.

Some of the most meaningful summer moments are the quiet ones:

• A shared laugh.
• A walk around the block.
• A popsicle on the steps.
• A hug after a hard day.

These moments build connection—and connection is what your child will remember most.

Helping Kids Prepare for What’s Next

As summer goes on, keep an open conversation about upcoming transitions (like a new school year or childcare change). Try saying:

“I wonder what 3rd grade will be like for you. What are you excited about? What feels a little scary?”

Let kids ask questions and share concerns. Even if you don’t have all the answers, your calm presence helps them feel safe.

 Final Thoughts: Embracing the In-Between

The school-to-summer transition is one of those “in-between” seasons. It’s not as structured as the school year or as carefree as a vacation. And that in-between-ness can be hard.

But it’s also where growth happens.

This summer, instead of chasing perfection, choose connection. Instead of controlling every moment, create space for rest, reflection, and relationship.

Support your child by listening deeply and loving consistently.

Support yourself by letting go of “shoulds” and leaning into grace.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just take it one day at a time—and know that showing up, even imperfectly, is more than enough.

Katlyn Gotschall, LCPC

Katlyn is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and the founder of Apricity Counseling LLC. With a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a master’s in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, Katlyn brings nearly eight years of experience in mental health settings to her practice.

Katlyn is dedicated to helping clients navigate stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and life transitions. She also supports individuals facing trauma, postpartum challenges, self-esteem concerns, and compassion fatigue. Inspired by the meaning of "apricity"—the warmth of the sun on a winter day—her practice reflects her commitment to providing a safe, welcoming environment for healing and growth.

Currently offering telehealth services with a sliding scale and most insurances accepted, Katlyn looks forward to expanding to in-person care in the future. She also integrates Christian-based therapy when appropriate, tailoring her approach to meet the unique needs of each client.

Outside of her career, Katlyn cherishes her roles as a wife and mother. She enjoys traveling, engaging with her community, and savoring her favorite obsession—coffee. Guided by the words of John A. Shedd, "A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for," Katlyn believes therapy isn’t easy, but it's a tool provided to make challenges feel less lonely.