There’s something magical about summer—until you’re knee-deep in sticky popsicle sticks, sibling squabbles, and a baby who only naps in a moving stroller. If you’re a mom like me (neurodivergent, trying to raise three equally spicy children—including a 5-year-old, a 3-year-old girl with ADHD, and a baby who seems personally offended by sleep), then summer might feel less like vacation and more like survival mode… but with sunscreen. Let’s be real: the idea of “making memories” is lovely, but sometimes I just want to make it to 7 p.m. without someone melting down—or me hiding in the pantry with a stale granola bar. Here’s how I’ve learned to survive summer with kids and a baby, and maybe even enjoy it… a little.
1. Build a Flexible Summer Routine
Notice I didn’t say schedule. Rigid schedules in our house work about as well as glitter glue on a hot day—chaotic and sticky. But we do thrive with a simple routine, especially during the overstimulating months of summer. The goal here is to survive summer with kids and a baby.
Our basic summer flow:
- Morning: Outside time or an outing before it’s sweltering
- Lunch & quiet time: Screens allowed, no guilt here
- Afternoon: Sensory play, crafts, or something chill indoors
- Evening: Dinner, walk, bath, bedtime routine
This rhythm gives the day structure without being overwhelming.
🧲 We use this magnetic routine chart to help the big kids know what to expect without me repeating myself 37 times.
2. Say Yes to Screen Time—Strategically
I used to stress about screen time. Now? It’s my co-parent. The key is to use it strategically—like during baby naps, while I prep lunch, or when I need a moment to remember who I am.
I even create a “screen time basket” with favorite snacks, headphones, and their remotes so they feel in control—and I get 30 uninterrupted minutes to drink lukewarm coffee.
Need ideas? We rotate between:
- StoryBots and Bluey for laughs and learning
- Cosmic Kids Yoga or Danny Go! on YouTube for movement breaks
- PBS Kids Games and Khan Academy Kids for “play with a purpose”
And yes, they watch the same movie 14 times. I call it “neurodivergent comfort.”
3. Embrace the Power of Boredom (Even When It’s Loud)
“I’m booooored” is my kids’ summer anthem. And while my first instinct is to perform like a cruise ship activity director, I’ve learned to pause.
Boredom sparks creativity. I say that like a mantra—especially when I’m cleaning up flour from a “bakery” that started with “just playing kitchen.”
We created a “boredom box” full of:
- Painter’s tape (great for building roads)
- Random cardboard boxes
- Stickers, stamps, and dollar-store craft kits
🎨 These Melissa & Doug activity pads are my go-to for mess-free creativity when I need the house semi-intact.
4. Set Up Baby-Friendly Zones
Summer with older kids is all “Let’s go outside!” and “Mom! Watch this!” Meanwhile, I’m balancing a baby who spits up every time I dare to blink.
Create little stations where baby can safely chill:
- A shaded spot outside with a portable baby dome
- An indoor playmat in the living room corner
- A bassinet next to the craft table
Sometimes, I wear her in a carrier and feel like a sweaty superhero. Other times, I let her coo in the bouncer while I referee who “had the blue chalk first.”
5. Outsource Where You Can
Outsourcing doesn’t have to mean a nanny or weekly sitter (though bless those who can). For me, it’s:
- Letting my 5-year-old help make lunch = 10 minutes of quiet play
- Buying pre-cut fruit = one less task
- Using the grocery pickup app = mental peace
You don’t need to do it all. You just need to not burn out. Remember the goal: survive summer with kids and a baby.
6. Keep It Simple: Summer Doesn’t Need to Be Fancy
It’s easy to fall into the trap of “big summer plans.” But simple is sustainable. Some of our favorite low-key summer wins include:
- Popsicles in the bathtub = snack + sensory play
- Nature scavenger hunts = walk with a purpose
- Water table + bubbles = everyone’s happy
- Obstacle course with couch cushions = 30 minutes of teamwork (and chaos)
🌞 This foldable water table saves my life when I have a clingy baby and two mud-loving kids.
7. Give Yourself a Mom Break—Even If It’s 10 Minutes
I used to think “self-care” meant bubble baths and wine nights. Now, it’s peeing with the door closed and finishing a hot coffee.
If you can, carve out 10 minutes:
- In the car, with your favorite podcast and the AC on full blast
- After bedtime, with a book that isn’t about trucks
- During nap time, just lying in silence like a starfish
You matter. Your needs matter. You’re not “just surviving”—you’re carrying everyone through the day.
8. Have a Summer SOS Plan
There will be days when it all falls apart. Someone’s sick. It’s too hot to function. The baby didn’t nap. You’re touched out, tired, and your toddler is yelling about a granola bar she did want… until she didn’t.
For those days, I keep a “Summer SOS Kit”:
- A favorite movie queued up
- Frozen snacks ready to go
- Busy bins full of sensory stuff
- My own “mom survival box” with a snack, essential oil roller, and lip balm
This kit is not a sign of failure. It’s a sign of smart, pre-planned, exhausted brilliance.
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Final Thoughts
Summer with kids and a baby isn’t picture-perfect. It’s messy, loud, exhausting—and full of tiny, sacred moments that sneak up between the chaos.
You don’t need to make every day magical. You just need a plan, a snack stash, and the grace to laugh when it all unravels.
You’ve got this. And if today was rough? There’s always popsicles in the tub.
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