Let me be the first to say that summer has a serious branding problem. We're sold on the idea of lazy lake/beach/poolside days, but in reality, we’re worrying about camp drop-offs, travel logistics, what’s everyone eating for lunch, how am I going to keep these kids entertained, and I still have a job!! The list goes on and on…I’m here to tell you though; if your summer has looked less like lounging on a lazy river and more like sprinting through a schedule of stress, it’s not all in your head.
I’d like to throw out some ideas here for how to create a calmer, more connected family experience this summer that doesn't require all of the streeessss. What it does require are a few intentional shifts in how you're spending the hours you already have.
Stop Scheduling Stuff
I fear that there’s a myth that connection has to be “manufactured,” like we have to have a reason to get together and do something. Let’s plan an elaborate day trip or a themed craft night or even just a night out with friends has to be an event. I’m looking for those Full House or Step by Step type of connections (I know my millennial and Gen X parents get that reference!) where spending time with our families is casual, no occasion necessary. There's actually some research behind what defines “quality” family bonding, and it tells a different story than you might expect. Researchers have found that mundane, everyday activities tend to be far more effective at creating connection than structured ones. Maybe that's the more workable truth of it: presence is something you can offer every day. A big trip, almost by definition, can't be; it takes planning, money, and a free weekend, which keeps it the exception rather than the rule.
Let Them Be Bored
If your kid announces they're bored and your instinct is to try and solve that problem for them, resist it. Boredom is an emotion, and like any emotion, it's okay to actually feel it instead of immediately fixing it. Kids with more unstructured time in their days have been shown to develop stronger self-directed executive functioning, meaning they get better at setting their own goals and figuring out how to accomplish them without an adult giving all of the directions. This style of play also gives kids a low-key way to work through stress and stay close to the people around them. That empty afternoon with nothing on the calendar is full of possibilities, just not scheduled ones!
Bring Back Analog Activities
Calling all 80s and 90s kids!! This is our moment!! Pick a window(it can be an hour, an evening, or a whole Saturday if you want) where screens are off for everyone (even the adults). Now don’t get me wrong; technology has its place and I love a family movie night as much as the next person, but having analog time creates an experience where connection has more room to happen. CNN ran a piece earlier this year on the so-called "analog lifestyle" trend, where a reporter ditched her phones, laptop, and smart speaker for 48 hours just to see what it felt like. It wasn't a full academic study, more of a lived trial run, but the numbers around it are hard to ignore: craft retailer Michael's reported a 136% jump in searches for "analog hobbies" over six months, and searches for yarn kits (one of the internet's favorite "grandma hobbies") shot up 1,200% in a single year. People aren't necessarily anti-technology, they're just tired of everything being optimized, tracked, and AI-assisted, and they're reaching for stuff that doesn't do any of that. So, pull out the puzzles, books, crayons and paper, board games, knitting/crocheting, crosswords, Legos, whatever floats your boat; the only rule is that there are no screens for the duration of the time period that you’ve chosen and everyone is doing it together.
Shop Arts & Crafts and open-ended toys for some analog play options. Read our blog about open-ended play HERE.
The Takeaways
Okay, here's the entire takeaway of this post: Skip the manufactured occasion, let boredom do its thing, and put the screens down for a stretch. That's it. That's the whole reset! Family connection was never really about the elaborate plan in the first place; it's more about being around each other consistently enough so that the ordinary moments have room to become the memorable ones. This summer, let’s slow it all down and enjoy our time together!
Quick Read Version:
· A Summer Reset: Slow Down + Actually Connect
· Skip the "manufactured" outing: research says everyday, unplanned moments build more connection than big planned trips do
· Let your kid be bored. It's not a problem to fix; it builds their ability to set goals and self-regulate
· Pick a window (an hour, a night, a whole Saturday) and go screen-free, adults included
· Pull out the puzzles, cards, crayons, crosswords, Legos; the analog lifestyle trend is real and the internet is obsessed with it
Summer has a branding problem. We're sold lazy lake days; we're living camp drop-offs, lunch logistics, and a group chat that won't stop buzzing.
About the Author:
Paige Whitley is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. With over 3 years of dedicated experience, Paige has become a trusted ally for diverse populations, including the neurodivergent community, trauma survivors, substance abuse sufferers, and those navigating general mental health challenges. Since 2010, Paige has impacted young lives through her work as a lifeguard, swim teacher, behavior technician, nanny, and counselor. When not at work, she indulges in the magic of Disney Parks, enticing culinary adventures, and family time with her husband, fur babies, and baby Whitley. Passionate and empathetic, she's a catalyst for positive change, committed to improving her community's mental health landscape.
References
Barker, J. E., Semenov, A. D., Michaelson, L., Provan, L. S., Snyder, H. R., & Munakata, Y. (2014). Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, Article 593. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00593
Clay, R. A. (2023, September 26). The many wondrous benefits of unstructured play. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/children/kids-unstructured-play-benefits
Kremer-Sadlik, T., & Paugh, A. L. (2007). Everyday moments: Finding "quality time" in American working families. Time & Society, 16(2–3), 287–308. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961463X07080276
Maruf, R. (2026, January 18). Tired of AI, people are committing to the analog lifestyle in 2026. CNN Business. https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/18/business/crafting-soars-ai-analog-wellness
