Hey beautiful mama,

Here’s a little story. A few summers ago, I had it all planned out. The kids were finally out of school, we had beach days lined up, playdates scheduled, and I promised myself this would be the summer I stayed on top of my self-care. I even made a cute little summer self care kit, complete with a journal, fancy face masks, and herbal tea.

But you can probably guess what happened.

By week two, my self-care routine had disappeared. The kids’ sleep schedules were all over the place. I was running around trying to entertain them, manage work, and survive the heat. That cute little kit collected dust. And I ended up feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and a little disconnected from myself.

Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever struggled to keep your summer self-care routine going strong while managing all the chaos the season brings, there is good news? You don’t have to choose between summer fun and taking care of yourself.

With a few realistic summer self-care tips, you can stay grounded and nourished, even when the days feel extra long. Let me show you how!

Why Summer Makes Self-Care Harder

Summer can feel nearly impossible to maintain. The structure you rely on during the school year is gone. Suddenly, your schedule is filled with snacks every ten minutes, sibling squabbles, sunscreen battles, and late-night bedtime negotiations.

But here’s the truth: this is when self-care matters most.

When your routine changes, and you’re juggling more than usual, your mind and body crave stability. Keeping even a few of your summer self care habits alive helps you manage stress, keep your energy steady, and stay connected to who you are beyond "Mom."

Even if it looks different from your usual routine, staying consistent in some way reminds your nervous system that you’re safe, loved, and cared for even if you’re the one doing the caring.

Tip 1: Adjust Your Schedule (Not Your Standards)

Summer mornings aren’t always peaceful. Kids sleep in, or they wake up at the crack of dawn ready to conquer the world. So instead of clinging to your old schedule, try tweaking it.

Maybe you used to meditate at 6 a.m., now you sneak in five deep breaths while brushing your teeth. Maybe your gym sessions are on hold, but you can stretch while the kids play in the backyard.

Summer self-care tips aren’t about perfection but being flexible. If the time of day doesn’t work anymore, shift things around. If your usual activity is too much, scale it down. Ten minutes of self-care is still self-care.++)

Your routine should support your life, not compete with it.

Tip 2: Involve Your Kids in Your Self-Care

I used to think self-care had to happen in silence, alone, with candles burning. But sometimes, the only way it’s going to happen is if the kids are involved.

So why not bring them in?

Do a yoga flow together in the living room. Let them pick out the fruit for your green smoothie. Head out for a family walk after dinner. Create a “quiet time” where everyone reads or colors, even if it's just for 15 minutes.

You’re not only keeping your summer self care routine going but teaching your kids the importance of taking care of themselves. That’s a powerful lesson. And some of the best summer self care ideas come from seeing what brings joy to both you and your little ones.

Tip 3: Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

If your usual self-care involves a spa day, a three-step skincare routine, or an hour-long journal session, you might need to simplify during the summer months.

That doesn’t mean giving it up.

Try this: instead of aiming for “ideal” self-care, go for “real” self-care. A five-minute guided meditation. A quick walk around the block while listening to your favorite song. Putting on some lip balm and misting your face when it’s hot out.

Think of these mini-rituals as your summer self-care kit: small tools that bring calm and joy in the middle of chaos. When you lower the barrier, it becomes so much easier to stay consistent.

Tip 4: Eat, Hydrate, and Stay Cool

Hot weather and busy days can mess with our basic needs. You might forget to drink water or reach for snacks that leave you feeling blah.

So let’s go back to the basics.

Keep a water bottle with you at all times. Set reminders if you need to. Fill your fridge with easy, nourishing snacks—think fruit, yogurt, nuts, pre-cut veggies, or smoothies. Not only will you feel more energized, but your body will thank you for it.

And here’s a little summer self care quote I love:

“Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean me first, it means me too."
– L.R. Knost

Tip 5: Plan It Like You Mean It

Summer flies by in a blur. If you wait for the “perfect moment” to do self-care, you might be waiting until September.

Instead, schedule your self-care like you would a doctor’s appointment or a summer camp drop-off. Put it in your calendar. Set a reminder. Ask your partner to take the kids for an hour. Book that solo coffee date. Reserve your spot in the yoga class.

When it’s planned, it’s real. And when it’s real, it happens.

So whatever your summer self care ideas are, make them official.

Tip 6: Give Yourself Grace

Some days, everything will fall apart. The kids will wake up early, your plans will shift, and your to-do list will triple. And maybe your self-care won’t happen.

That’s okay.

Self-care isn’t another thing to “win” at. It’s not about guilt or perfection. It’s about nourishing yourself so you can keep showing up. So when the day doesn’t go as planned? Breathe. Forgive. Start again tomorrow.

You’re doing the best you can. And that’s more than enough.

Building Your Summer Self-Care Kit

Let’s talk about building your summer self care kit which of course, doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to serve you.

Here are a few ideas to start with:

A favorite book or journal
A soothing playlist or podcast
Reusable water bottle
Cooling face mist or SPF moisturizer
Herbal tea or smoothie ingredients
A yoga mat or stretching band
A gratitude list on your phone

Keep it somewhere you can see it: your bedside table, kitchen counter, or tote bag. Think of it as your summer self-care toolbox: small, simple things that help you feel like you again. The Self-Care Starter Kit Resource is now available for download - it’s FREE.

You Deserve This

Summer is full of joy, chaos, heat, laughter, exhaustion, and memories. It’s a beautiful mess. And right in the middle of it, you deserve moments of care, calm, and connection.

So here’s your permission slip: you can enjoy the season and take care of yourself. You can be a fun, loving, present mom and a woman who prioritizes her well-being.

By following these summer self-care tips, adjusting your expectations, and making space (even a tiny one) for yourself, you can enter fall feeling proud, recharged, and still connected to your center.

Would you like to connect with other moms going through the ups and downs of motherhood and self-care together? Join our Put Your Cape Away community where we share ideas, support each other, and celebrate our wins, big and small.

7 Hacks to Maintain Summer Self-Care Routines (+ Free Kit)