How to Prevent Burnout When The Kids Are Home for Summer: Tips from a New York Burnout Therapist
I’ll say the thing that we’re all feeling out loud—summer break can feel like a trap. On one hand, you love your kids. You want them to have fun, make memories, and enjoy the sunshine. On the other hand… you still have work, dishes, mental load, and a need for five minutes of silence without someone asking for a snack. If you're a woman trying to hold it all together while your kids are home for the summer, burnout can sneak up fast.
As a burnout therapist based in New York, I see this every year. Moms (and let’s be real—mostly moms) come to my virtual office feeling overwhelmed, guilty, and exhausted before July even hits. So let’s talk about how to prevent summer burnout before you hit that wall.
First, Give Yourself Permission to Feel It All
Let’s start here: you are allowed to have needs. You are allowed to feel overwhelmed. You are allowed to want a break from your kids, especially because you love them endlessly. So often, women carry the invisible load of making summer magical while also keeping life moving. That’s a lot. Naming that truth is step one to reclaiming your sanity.
Drop the Pinterest Pressure
You don’t have to be the camp counselor, personal chef, and cruise director all summer. Social media has a funny way of making us feel like summer should be this curated, colorful adventure—but in real life? Your kids will be just fine watching a movie, making their own lunch, or having a “bored” afternoon. Try this reframe: boredom builds creativity. You’re not failing them—you’re giving them space to be resourceful.
Create Some Kind of Rhythm
No, you don’t need a strict schedule. But having a loose structure helps everyone, especially you. Think of it like “theme days” (e.g., park day, library day, screen-time day). This gives your kids something to look forward to and reduces your decision fatigue. Don’t forget to schedule quiet time—even if your kids are older. A daily hour where everyone does something solo (reading, drawing, resting) can work wonders for your nervous system.
Prioritize Your Time, Too
Summer shouldn’t mean you vanish. What fills your cup? Morning coffee on the porch? Ten minutes of stretching? A walk without little voices in your ear? Build that into your day—even if it means screens help make it happen. Here’s your permission slip: screen time is not the enemy—it’s a tool. Use it wisely and without guilt when you need a break.
Ask for Help (and Accept It)
You do not have to do this alone. Can your partner take a morning off work once a week? Can you swap playdates with another mom? Can Grandma handle pickup for camp one day? A lot of women struggle to ask for help because they think it means they’re failing. But the truth? Asking for help allows others to feel connected to you. You feel good when you help others, right? Is it possible that they feel good or closer to you when they can help you?
Watch for the Warning Signs
Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse—it often starts with irritability, resentment, or just feeling “off.” If you find yourself snapping, fantasizing about running away, or crying in your closet, pause and check in. What do you need right now? Sleep? Support? A plan? The earlier you notice the signs, the easier it is to course-correct.
Let Good Enough Be Good Enough
The kids will remember the energy more than the activity. They’ll remember laughter, connection, and your presence, not whether you created the perfect themed picnic. Sometimes, “frozen pizza and movie night” is the summer memory they’ll cherish most. You don’t need to be a supermom this summer. You just need to be a real one—who shows up with love, boundaries, and grace for herself. Take the pressure off. Let things be imperfect. And know that your well-being matters just as much as your kids’ happiness. Because when you feel good, they feel it too.
Learn How To Reclaim Your Summer From a Therapist in New York
Summer gets to be your time, too. Schedule a consultation with The Lavender Therapy to get support from a caring therapist across New York. You can start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:
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Other Services I Offer Across New York
I provide a variety of specialized services to support you. Whether you're seeking help with infertility and pregnancy loss support, postpartum and pregnancy challenges, burnout, women’s therapy, or family planning, I’m here to offer guidance and care every step of the way.
About The Author:
Dr. Ruby Rhoden is a New York-based licensed psychologist who is dedicated to uplifting women through life changes and challenges, including reproduction and parent burnout. She understands how unhelpful behavior patterns and mental health disorders uniquely impact women and uses evidence-based techniques to usher in sustainable change and relief. Dr. Ruby is dedicated to helping women develop healthier habits and relationships with themselves and their bodies so they can connect to others and the world around them again. Dr. Ruby studied at Cornell University and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey for her Bachelor’s and Doctoral degrees, respectively. In her free time, she enjoys watching reality TV, supporting small businesses, and writing blog posts to remind all women that they are not alone.
