Summer is supposed to feel light, but a lot of families quietly struggle once the school day disappears. When the structure drops, motivation can dip, anxiety can rise, and everyone ends up feeling a little off. We talk honestly about why that happens and how a few predictable moments can make the whole day feel calmer without turning summer into boot camp.

I’m joined by Dr. Peter Montminy, a clinical child psychologist and parenting coach at A Mindful Village, to rethink “routine” as an anchor and a secure base. We connect the dots between predictability and stress reduction, using the Circle of Security idea: kids need freedom to explore, and they also need a safe harbor to return to when they’re dysregulated. We also get practical about the real-world challenges parents face, from summer logistics to the gradual slide into later bedtimes, more screen time, and constant “I’m bored.”

You’ll hear concrete tools you can use right away: how to treat boredom as a skill-building moment instead of an emergency, how to keep sleep schedules consistent without obsessing over exact times, and how to set screen time boundaries by clarifying what’s allowed, when it’s allowed, and why it matters for mental health. We also share a simple way to “chunk” the day, build kid buy-in with choice within limits, and reset when the plan drifts with a quick weekly family meeting.

If this helps, subscribe, share the episode with a parent or educator who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find these mental health and parenting tools.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.