Summer is Not Always Sweet: When the Season Feels Like Too Much

A friend recently posted something about drinking more caffeine in summer to stretch the days longer, and it resonated. I’ve found myself pouring that second cup of iced coffee in the late afternoon, not because I need it, but because it’s sunny, the air feels good, and the day just seems to keep going. My kids are outside playing, and part of me wants to soak up every moment.

But wow, summer can be a lot.

So Many Hours, So Much to Juggle

Maybe you’re in the thick of postpartum, trying to go on walks with your baby or squeeze in some time in the kiddie pool (don’t forget the sunscreen). Maybe you’ve got older kids and you’re bouncing between drop-offs, swim lessons, summer camps, and impromptu playdates that seem to multiply by the week.

Or maybe you’ve got a baby and big kids, and you’re attempting to keep a nap schedule while also managing the daily chaos. Your baby’s naps are on the go, bedtime is getting harder with the late sunlight, and your sleep-deprived brain is now engineering blackout solutions using trash bags and painter’s tape.

Even my kids, who are usually up at 5:30, have started sleeping in until 7am. (And yes, I’m still waking up early). 

The Pressure to Make it Magical

Even if you work full-time and your daily routine hasn't changed much, summer has a vibe. It whispers: Be spontaneous. Go to the beach. Say yes to the road trip. Make memories. Don’t waste this.

So you pack and unpack. You visit family. You go.

But if you’re feeling overstimulated or on edge, you’re not alone. The pressure to “enjoy every moment” can be intense, especially when you’re juggling multiple kids, different needs, nap schedules, sunscreen meltdowns, and snack negotiations.

Sometimes it’s not just your baby who’s off routine, your older kids are also out of rhythm. They’re overtired, more emotional, maybe bickering more. And you’re absorbing all of it.

Even Fun Can Be Too Much

Here’s something I’ve learned the hard way: even good things can be overstimulating.

Even as an extrovert, I’ve had to set boundaries, with friends, with neighbors, and with myself.

• I’m trying not make plans on a weekend.

• We stay home and rest.

• We take an extra day off after traveling to rest. 

• We say no.

• We slow down.

Because while there’s joy in picnics at the strawberry stand and Bodega beach days, there’s also peace in an unplanned afternoon at home.

Permission to Pause

If you’re feeling frazzled, cranky, or on the verge of burnout, especially when it feels like you should be soaking up the summer magic, know this:

• It’s okay to love your kids and feel overstimulated by them.

• It’s okay to want to make memories and crave structure.

• It’s okay to say no to the playdate, skip the outing, or serve frozen pizza for dinner three nights in a row.

Summer isn’t just sweet. It’s sticky, and messy, and beautiful, and sometimes way too loud.

Give yourself permission to pause. Rest is productive. Slowness is sacred. And sometimes the best memories are made on the days when you do nothing at all.