School’s Out Now What? How Working Moms Can Plan for Summer Without Losing It

The last bell rings out for summer, cue the working mom panic.

It’s almost that time again, the moment when you realize that summer break is here once again, and while you had the best intentions of setting up activities, camps, and purchasing workbooks for this season, you’re now out of time, and without a plan. 

It’s not that we moms don’t want to spend quality time with our kids, but the endless weeks of trying to find something for the kids to do while thousands of emails pile up are just the absolute pits. The emotional rollercoaster of feeling joy, dread, guilt, and overwhelm is for real, but I promise you are not alone. I’ve been there (many, many times) through the good and the bad, and plan to be there again this summer season. But I’ve always come out the other end learning something new. 

So ladies (and gentlemen if you’re reading), I’ve created a survival guide for working moms to stay (mostly) sane this summer. 

The Reality of Summer Break 

It’s not just you, the summer stress is real. It’s the precarious dance of balancing work and children during the holidays. It’s that guilty feeling of having to work, but the voice in the back of your head is telling you’re a bad mom (you’re not). Those picture-perfect moms online? Chances are, they’re struggling too, just behind a good filter. And those Pinterest-worthy summers we imagine? They’re beautiful dreams, but real life doesn’t need to be curated to be meaningful. 

Summer is filled with later bedtimes and outdoor adventures, but between setting up childcare, juggling an ever-changing schedule, and balancing professional responsibilities, it can seem like a never-ending mental and financial nightmare. Every mom's summer story has its own twists, but let’s not pretend we’re all juggling the same mess in different ways. 

Communication is Key 

As working moms, our plates aren’t just full, they’re overflowing. Between back-to-back meetings, endless laundry, last-minute dinners, playdates, and a flood of emails, it’s no wonder we’re running on fumes. Some days, it feels like the hours disappear before we even get to our own to-do list. 

But here’s the thing: Communication makes all the difference. Whether it’s with your partner, your kids, or your team at work, being upfront about your needs and setting clear boundaries can ease a lot of the pressure. Maybe it’s asking your kids to take over dinner one night (if they’re old enough, not looking to add chaos!). Maybe your partner plans a day out so you can catch your breath. Or maybe it’s letting your boss know your working hours are firm this summer.

Use Your Support System 

If you’re lucky enough to have a support system to lean on, use them! We all want to be everywhere, do everything, and show up for everyone... but let’s be real: it’s just not possible, and that’s okay. Tap your friends, family, or partner (whoever’s in your corner) to help carry the load. 

Book that playdate. Ask the grandparents for a sleepover or two (your kids won’t complain about getting spoiled). Give yourself an afternoon to breathe, think, or finally respond to that email that’s been sitting in your inbox since breakfast. 

Turn Off Social Media

You’ve heard it before, but let me say it louder for the moms in the back: stop comparing yourself to what you see on social media. The overwhelm creeps in fast, and with it comes the guilt, that sneaky little voice that says you’re not doing enough. But hear this: you are doing an amazing job. It's easy to forget that the perfect parent doesn’t exist, no matter how it looks online. 

Try leaning into the small, everyday moments, they’re often the ones that stick. There’s no pressure to keep up with what everyone else is doing. Instead of scrolling through someone else’s highlight reel, pour that time into your people. One more round of Uno, an extra bedtime story… those little things? That’s the stuff family memories are made of. 

Make Time for Yourself 

It might not always feel like a priority, but you’ve got to take care of you this summer, too. Build in a few daily non-negotiables, little moments that help you reset and breathe. Maybe it’s ten quiet minutes after lunch, a solo coffee run before the chaos starts, or just stepping outside to feel the sun on your face. Build in time for you, even if it’s just hiding in the laundry room! 

You’ve Got This 

You’ve done hard things before, you literally gave birth. You’ve got this, even on the messy days. Just remember: your kids don’t need a perfect mom. They just need you. You’re not alone, we’re unwrapping womanhood together. I created this space for working moms and ambitious women just like you, because if you don’t have a support system (or even if you do), you’ve always got us. This community is your reminder that you’re never in it alone.

Want to connect with us at Womanhood Unwrapped? Let’s plan a collaboration together!