I stopped over-scheduling my kids' summer. We're all happier.

July 13, 2026 - 23:39

I used to think a packed summer was a good summer. For years, I filled every single week with structured camps, from sports to science to art. Last year, I booked nine straight weeks. I thought I was giving my kids an edge, keeping them engaged and out of trouble. What I actually gave them was exhaustion.

By the third week of July, my seven-year-old was crying before drop-off. My ten-year-old was snapping at me over breakfast. I was spending my evenings washing camp uniforms and packing lunches for the next day, only to wake up and do it all over again. We were all running on fumes. The summer felt less like a vacation and more like a second job.

This year, I did something different. I canceled half the camps. We now have blocks of unscheduled time. Some days, we do nothing. We go to the park when we feel like it. We bake cookies at 10 a.m. We read books on the porch. The kids are bored sometimes, and that is fine. Boredom leads to them inventing games, drawing, or just lying in the grass.

I was afraid they would miss out. Instead, they are happier. I am happier. The constant rush is gone. We have real conversations now, not just quick check-ins between activities. Summer should be a break from the school year grind, not a more expensive version of it. My kids do not need to be busy every second. They need rest, and so do I.