When Summer Feels Like Chaos: A Gentle Reminder for ADHD Parents (and Me)
- Erica Stroup
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
For some reason, I always expect summer to bring less stress, more free time, and more relaxation. In reality it seems to just bring on a different breed of chaos. Routines are off, screen time increases, and my stress level increases significantly.
And now, as we are in the throws of summers, it's almost as if I have forgotten everything I have learned or tried to help teach others. So this post is most certainly a reminder to me as we navigate the next four weeks!
If you're feeling overwhelmed, short-fused, or stuck in survival mode, you're not alone—and you're not failing.
Summer can be wonderful, but it can also be incredibly dysregulating, especially for kids with ADHD or sensory needs. And when they’re dysregulated? We’re dysregulated too. The usual tools feel harder to implement, and even small things—like spilled juice or a sibling squabble—can send us over the edge.
That’s why I’m leaning on these three gentle reminders as we move through the final stretch of summer:
1. Keep It Simple
You don’t need a color-coded activity schedule to create structure. One or two daily anchors—like morning chores and a short quiet time—can go a long way in providing predictability.
2. Movement Is a Lifesaver
For everyone. A five-minute dance party, a walk around the block, or even a race to clean up the kitchen can help reset the energy in the room (and in our bodies).
3. Connection Before Correction
When behaviors escalate, it’s tempting to jump straight to consequences. But what usually helps most is a few minutes of eye contact, playfulness, or a hug on the couch. Regulation starts with connection—even in (especially in) chaotic moments.
So here's your permission to let go of the Pinterest version of summer and instead focus on what your family actually needs: flexibility, grace, movement, and moments of connection.
You’ve got this—and on the days you don’t, know that I’m right there with you, probably hiding in the pantry with a cold coffee.
Want a little support as you reset your summer rhythm? Grab my free Chaos to Calm Starter Kit with visual cues, connection responses, and regulation tools that really work (especially when nothing else is).
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