5 ways to enjoy a ‘lazy parent summer’

I don’t know about you, but summer gives me major FOMO (fear of missing out). Sure, I love the warm weather, late sunsets, chasing my kids through the sprinklers with popsicle juice dripping down to our toes. But with three kids under five, juggling camp schedules, endless work deadlines, and trying to make the most of the extra daylight, I feel like I’m missing out on those big summer adventures. While others are vacationing in Europe or taking their kids to Disney World, I often feel like I’m depriving my kids of a grand summer adventure. But when I think about what I really want (thanks to some introspective meditation), all I truly want is to embrace a lazy parent summer.

Lazy parent summers mean ditching extravagant summer plans and soaking up the slow and simple moments instead. It’s a chance to enjoy a lazy, laid-back summer without jam-packed schedules or high expectations. Think star-gazing in the backyard with sleeping bags and ice cream cones, building forts under the swingset, or having a movie night with a big bowl of popcorn. When I look back on my childhood summers, it’s these simple, meaningful moments with my family that I remember most, not the elaborate activities or busy travel plans.

So instead of letting FOMO get the best of me, I’m taking charge of summer and celebrating my lazy parent summer era. Here are the 5 things I’m doing:

1. Dive into water play

Give a kid a cup and some water, and they'll be entertained for hours. Instead of schlepping everyone to a water park, we’re bringing water play straight to our backyard. This works for kids of all ages—babies, toddlers, and even older kids. There’s just something about water that turns playtime into pure magic. When my kids are bored or grumpy, a bath with some water toys can completely flip their energy and turn the day around. You can turn on the outdoor hose, fill up a kiddie pool, grab a pack of water balloons, or let them wash dishes in the sink or water the garden. Anything involving water will keep them busy and give you a chance to kick back, relax, and watch your kids summer.

2. Swap summer BBQs for snack plates 

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good summer BBQ, but let’s be real—they can be a lot of work. Since elaborate summer meals don’t quite fit with my lazy parent summer vibe, I’m bringing back the snack plate. It’s like the viral “girl dinner” trend you’ve seen on social media—effortless, no-cook meals made from whatever you have lying around. Got a block of cheese? Slice it up. A few slices of bread in the freezer? Toast them. Found a can of peas hiding in the pantry? Toss ‘em on. Focus on whole grain carbs, protein, healthy fats, fruit and veggies, serve it charcuterie-style, and dinner’s ready! 

3. Pretend your house is a art museum

You might be thinking, "What?" but stick with me. Kids love arts and crafts, and they’re bursting with endless creativity. So, why not turn it into a daily and ongoing activity? Have them draw pictures or create artwork to cover every inch of wall space in the house. Not only will this keep them busy for hours, but it’ll also give them a fun project to work towards all summer. Use markers, crayons, colored pencils, watercolors, paint sticks—whatever you’ve got. It’s a low-effort activity that doesn’t require much from you. Plus, it’s a great way to keep your kids occupied on those rainy summer days when you’re stuck inside.

4. Institute bedtime dance parties

When it's 8pm and still bright outside, it can be tough for kids to wind down and fall asleep (even with blackout curtains and all the things). Instead of hauling everyone to the park, have a dance party at home! You can groove indoors or outdoors, in PJs or just in diapers, bang on pots and pans or bring out the maracas. Let them shake off those last bits of energy without the hassle of packing up the car. They might not have the stamina for hours of dancing, but it could give you 20 minutes of silly fun and help them burn off some energy before bed. Plus, it may even make for a smoother bedtime routine since they’ll be exhausted. Experiment with different music—kid-friendly tunes, dance and freeze songs, or even some calming classical tracks for a bit of zen yoga dance.

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5. Let your kids be bored

Yes, you heard me right—let your kids be bored. I know it’s easier said than done, but giving them a break from constant stimulation can actually help them learn how to entertain themselves with minimal resources. Recently, we had some work done on our house and had to move all the toys, books, and gear to storage. For the first few days, my kids only had one toy or doll each. But after a while, I was amazed at how they used their imagination to play with everyday stuff. They went “camping” under the dining room table, played hide and seek in empty closets, and turned the kitchen pantry into a restaurant. Watching them get creative and discover new ways to have fun was totally worth the initial whining and complaints.