School’s Out—Now What? Managing Summer Pressure & Mental Health for Kids and Families
The final bell has rung, backpacks are tossed aside, and the long-awaited summer break has officially begun. But for many families, the end of the school year doesn’t just bring sunshine and freedom—it brings stress, pressure, and uncertainty.
At Peace By Piece Counseling, we often see a rise in mental health concerns as summer begins. While it may look like a season of fun on the outside, for kids, teens, and parents alike, it can be emotionally overwhelming. Let's talk about why—and what you can do about it.
Why Is Summer Stressful for Families?
Despite popular belief, summer isn’t always carefree. Here’s why many people—especially families—struggle during this time:
🎢 Loss of Routine
Kids thrive on structure. Without the daily rhythm of school, routines unravel. This can lead to increased anxiety, behavioral outbursts, sleep disruptions, and difficulty managing expectations.
🎯 Pressure to “Make the Most of It”
Parents often feel a silent pressure to make summer magical. Between camps, vacations, keeping kids entertained, and juggling work—it's easy to feel like you're failing.
💸 Financial Strain
Summer camps, daycare, travel, and rising costs of living can add up quickly. Many parents silently carry the stress of trying to give their kids a great summer without breaking the bank.
📱 Screen Time Battles
With more free time, screen time skyrockets. Parents may feel guilt or frustration about technology use while kids can become overstimulated, isolated, or dependent on digital validation.
🤝 Social Struggles
Not every child has a busy summer of playdates and activities. Kids and teens without social outlets may feel lonely, bored, or left out.
How Counseling Can Help
Peace By Piece Counseling offers support for both parents and children to manage the summer shift in a healthy way.
For kids and teens, therapy can help regulate emotions, improve communication, and navigate challenges like anxiety, boredom, and screen use.
For parents, we provide support in managing the mental load, setting boundaries, and avoiding burnout.
Our licensed therapists work with children, teens, parents, and families, and offer in-person and telehealth sessions to make access easy during this busy season.
We accept most major insurances and EAPs, and offer low-cost counseling sessions with master’s-level interns—because every family deserves support, no matter the budget.
🌈 This Summer, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Summer doesn’t have to feel chaotic or emotionally draining. Let us help you create realistic expectations, build healthy structure, and find balance for your family.
📞 Call us today at 972-460-6864 or
🌐 Request an appointment on our website
