Jam x ARTCHIVE guide

The Summer Sanity Guide

Communication and the Mental Load of Summer

If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a million times, but it’s still true: communication is key. Set aside time at the beginning of the season to have a conversation with your partner to discuss expectations and priorities so you start the season with a shared set of understandings.

Whether it’s done in comfy clothes at home with the first ice cream bar of the season, or on a date night to get a little more quiet and space, it reduces friction and resentment later to get on the same page early on.

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Go over some key details of what will reduce summer stress for both of you, such as: 

  1. Who is in charge of what? Hammer out basic logistics like driving schedules, who will research vacation activities , or who’s in charge of dinner  each week. 

  2. What do you each want for summer personally  - for example, rest, adventure, time for exercise, or work flexibility - and how can you make sure you each get time for that?

  3. What expectations do you want to set for the kids? Agree on things like chores, screen time, bedtime, summer learning, and family time. 

  4. Discuss practical “summer plans” to reduce the mental load. For example: 

  • Hiring a teen or college student to provide regular childcare can give parents more time to focus on work or run errands. (The parents of those teens are also looking for things for their kids to do this summer!)

  • Reduce stress at dinnertime by setting up an easy summer meal rotation: plan 7-10 different dinners, add ingredients to a shared grocery list, and automatically restock every week.

  • Do you want to outsource anything during this season? Are you interested in using cleaning service to keep up with the extra housework that piles up when more people are home during the da or any other extra help.