Summer is here, the sun is blazing, the days are long, and… I’m sweating before 9 a.m. With an energetic 8 years old and a curious 10 months old , summer survival isn’t just a goal, it’s a mission.

Don’t get me wrong, there are sweet moments: beach days, laughter, and those rare quiet sips of iced coffee. But let’s be real: when you’re a mom who secretly counts down to October, summer requires strategy. So here it is, my personal, slightly sunburned, Summer Survival Guide:

☀️ 1. Shade is Sacred

Whether it’s the park, the beach, or the backyard , find the shade and claim it like your sanity depends on it. Because it does. Pop-up tents, umbrellas, and even that one tree at the far end of the playground , all fair game.

🧊 2. Ice Everything

Frozen sour cherries , strawberries, chilled watermelon, icy lemon water, if it can go in the freezer, it probably should. Bonus: a frozen teether is a lifesaver for baby that seems to be constantly teething.

🎨 3. Mornings = Movement and Play

By 7:30 a.m., I’m out the door with the baby in the stroller, catching a bit of fresh air before the sun turns into fire. It’s a peaceful start , birds chirping, the world still yawning awake and it sets the tone for the day.

After that, we head back home. My eldest is already off to school (just two more weeks until she’s off until mid-September!), so the baby and I enjoy a bit of indoor play before her morning snack.

😌 4. Embrace the Siesta (Or at Least Pretend)

After lunch, it’s quiet time. Baby naps, big kid is still in school and I get 40-50 blissful minutes of sitting down. Sometimes I read. Sometimes I scroll. Sometimes I just sit and blink. That counts.

🥗 5. Cook Less, Chill More

Summer dinners = minimal stove time. Salads, sandwiches, grilled veggies, and yes, those baked eggplants when I get nostalgic. Bonus if someone else is grilling.

🧴 6. Sunscreen & Hats

I’ll admit I don’t always wear sunscreen myself, mostly because I plan our outings for before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m., when the sun is gentler. But my girls? They’re always protected. A good mineral sunscreen, hats, and lightweight clothing are non-negotiable. We keep it simple and as fuss-free as possible.