Summer can be a challenging season for kids and parents alike. Routines are interrupted or disappear entirely, parents are often still working full-time while trying to entertain kids and maybe rest a bit themselves, and every kid needs something different to thrive.
Fortunately, we have an expert on staff that has lived through it and is certified to offer some expert advice.
Wendy Grocoff Rudd, CPC, is our Parent Coach at the Horwitz-Zusman Child & Family Center (H-Z) and mom to young adults. A Dunwoody native, Wendy has worked with families for years in different capacities: she was an elementary school teacher before becoming a Certified Professional Coach. She’s led workshops and parent-centered book clubs. She’s also coached adoptive parents as a trauma-informed Parent Educator. Her professional experience with families, coupled with her lived experience raising children, gives her a depth and breadth of knowledge that greatly benefits our clients at H-Z. “Summer is great because it’s a chance to really spend quality time with your kids, reconnect, and learn who they are on a deeper level,” says Wendy.
But even parenting experts can have difficulty in the summertime, and Wendy remembers those days all too well. Here, she shares how to navigate the season so that kids — and their parents — come out refreshed, not stressed.
Let Go of the Summer You Imagined
Many parents head into summer hoping to recreate their own childhood memories. But that can set everyone up for frustration.
“As parents, we have expectations of what childhood summers look like, and we want to recreate that for our kids,” says Wendy. “But every kid is different. I loved sleepaway camp; it was my favorite thing in the world! One of my daughters loved it, but my other daughter decided it wasn’t really for her. We had to adjust and find a better fit for her.”
Even among siblings, needs and preferences can be completely different. Some kids thrive on full schedules and structured activities, while others need unstructured downtime to recover from a demanding school year.
“Some kids need to be busy and can’t sit in the house in their pajamas all day and do nothing,” Wendy says, “but for some kids, it’s just what they need after a busy school year.”
Rather than trying to fill every hour or chase the "perfect summer," Wendy encourages parents to support independence — and even welcome boredom.
“There’s a lot of value in teaching self-direction, and letting your kids find ways to entertain themselves,” she says. “One of my favorite things is when a kid says they’re bored, you say, ‘great! What are you going to do about it?’ Boredom fosters creativity, independence and self-reliance, to name a few. The truth is, we aren’t here to entertain them 24/7. We are here to guide them and give them the tools so that they can figure those things out for themselves. We won’t be with them their whole lives to make them happy, and we aren’t directly responsible for their happiness.”
Set Clear Expectations for Your Kids
For children, especially those with anxiety or who are neurodivergent, clear expectations are essential. Helping kids prepare for the unexpected builds resilience. If your child is heading to a new camp or family vacation spot, bring familiar comfort items: a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, fidget toy, or music. Older kids often know how to prepare themselves if given the chance. When children are required to do something difficult or unfamiliar, Wendy encourages a mindset of growth and support.
“Let them know you have faith in them, and that they can do hard things. In fact, ‘you can do hard things’ is one of my favorite terms because I really believe that. Modern parents are often trying to smooth the path of adversity and make things easy for their kids, but I ask—what is that teaching them? We want them to learn to overcome things that are not comfortable. If it’s something that’s important to the family, ask how to make it easier for them, what you can bring, and how you can schedule the trip. Check in daily with them so they know you’re hearing them, but you also have faith in them.”
It’s Your Summer, Too
Finally, Wendy reminds parents not to lose sight of their own needs during the summer.
“Finding your village of people, especially other parents, is key in having that time to yourself,” says Wendy. “People are uncomfortable sometimes asking for help, but parents are so willing to help each other! Don’t be afraid to ask.”
“The whole purpose of summer is to have downtime and time to regroup and recharge,” says Wendy, “for our kids, and for us.”
Parent coaching offers a supportive space to reflect on what worked well during the school year, identify areas for growth, and set meaningful goals for the months ahead. It’s an opportunity to strengthen parenting strategies, overcome obstacles, and intentionally show up as the parent your child needs—both now and as the next school year approaches.