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Summer Sanity for Working Parents

Dear Working Parents,

Ah, the thought of summer sanity! Long, calm evenings outdoors. Carefree days. Relaxing vacations. National Parks. Beaches. Unplugged time without a care in the world. Kids playing harmoniously with one another. Cue the orchestra…

Well, no, not exactly. If you've lived through a summer with a kid (or kids) in tow, you know how complicated this season of the year can be for working parents. Yes, there can indeed be more time outside. Amazing memories made. Ice cream eaten. And lots of laughter.

But the joy is, of course, mixed up in a big swirl that can involve some tricky things like:

Kid schedules that don't match work schedules
Numerous transitions, new routines, and possibly less structure
Expensive camps
New supplies required (Sunscreen! Bug spray! Towels! Bathing suits!)
Travel stress
Work projects that still need to get done
Family drama
Motivating kids to do required summer projects
Guilt about that stupid ticking clock people talk about related to how many summers you have with your kids…

I don't know about you, but just reading this list has my blood pressure up. Panic is mounting.

Enter: A Plan for Summer Sanity

Let’s take a deep breath and bring that blood pressure down. Today, I’m encouraging all of us to look ahead now. Yes, before all the chaos of “Maycember” strikes. And to put some systems in place to calm our own nervous systems. We know our kiddos will be bringing some big emotions to the table in the coming weeks. So let's strategize now for how we will navigate this time.

Have you ever seen Bill Murray in Lost in Translation? There's a scene where he's playing an actor in an alcohol commercial, and the Japanese director of the commercial gives him some very animated (and extensive!) feedback. The interpreter, however, merely translates the director’s feedback as: "More intensity!"

Today, I'm encouraging us not to think "more intensity" for our summers, but rather: "More Intentionality!" Yes, it’s true that if we take the time now to think through how we want to feel, act, and be with our families and at work this summer, we have a much higher likelihood of having those good things happen.

Carve Out an Hour Now: Your Future Self Will Thank You

My challenge to you, should you believe as I do in the “more intentionality” theme, is to carve out an hour. Review your summer calendar. Think about potential challenges. And work out a plan – one that involves writing things down! – to ground yourself throughout June, July, and August.

Want to do this exercise with me?

I’ve carved out two different hours on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, to do some intentional planning with this amazing community. I’m happy to be your accountability partner and will lead you through a workshop to architect a summer that leaves you a bit more sane. During our hour together, we will spend time:

· Reflecting

· Planning

· Learning

· & Implementing

I’ve been pondering some juicy reflection questions. And I’ve got a “5 S’s Framework” I’ll share that I’m planning to use to give each of my own summer days a touchpoint.

Will you join me for an hour of intentionality? The workshop cost is $39, and you can sign up here:

Session #1: May 13, 12-1pm Eastern

Session #2: May 13, 8:30-9:30pm Eastern

This will be an interactive hour together, so bring your calendar, a pen, and some paper! (Or a blank document on your computer, if that’s how you roll.)

Can’t make either time? Yes, we will record the session for those who weren’t able to make it, and you can do your intentional planning on a day that works for you. More magic happens when we’re together, though, so I hope you’ll join me live if you can!

Read and share this whole post via the Mindful Return website at https://www.mindfulreturn.com/summer-sanity

#AmplifyVoices

National Deaf History Month just wrapped up, and have you seen Disney's 3 new animated musical specials, reimagined in sign language? They are amazing! There's also some awesome ASL representation in the Hulu series "Only Murders in the Building," with actor Joey Caverly, who has been deaf since birth.

Looking for Support with the Work-Life Juggle? The Mindful Return 201 Course Starts this Monday!

For 4 weeks, your 4 fearless working parent guides will support you in learning practical skills around: (1) self-care and guilt; (2) time management; (3) building relationships; and (4) your career path. E-mail me at lori@mindfulreturn.com with any questions you might have about whether this cohort might be a good fit for you! Learn more and register here.

New Parent Programs start this Monday!

Going back to work after having a baby is challenging, regardless of the circumstances...but you don't have to go through this personal and professional identity transition alone. The next sessions of our 4-week, online, group programs for both new moms and new dads starts this Monday, May 4, 2026.

Learn more and sign up for one of our sessions using the following links:

Global Mom Session (in English - open to moms from anywhere)
Global Dad Session (in English - open to dads from anywhere)
UK Mum Session
Spanish Language Mom Session
Spanish Language Dad Session
Portuguese Mom Session

Mindful Return Book Talks

The Mother Code

Fair Share

May 7, 12–1pm Eastern: The Mother Code — Join me in conversation with author Ruthie Ackerman for a powerful discussion on rethinking motherhood, identity, and the stories we inherit — and the ones we choose to write for ourselves. What would the world look like if there were as many stories about motherhood as there are people? In The Mother Code, Ruthie blends reporting and memoir to explore how traditional expectations of motherhood have shaped — and often limited — women’s lives. Together, we’ll unpack what it means to embrace mothering as a radical, expansive act, and how we can begin to disentangle ourselves from inherited narratives that no longer serve us. Register here.

June 4, 12–1pm Eastern: Fair Share - Join me in conversation with Brad Johnson and David Smith. In this important and timely conversation, we’ll explore how outdated workplace norms continue to hold both women and men back — and what it takes to build a more gender-fair, caregiving-supportive workplace. We’ll talk about the hidden ways traditional expectations around work and caregiving still show up, what gender-inclusive leaders actually do to create meaningful change, why supporting caregiving is a business advantage — not a barrier, and the critical role managers play in shaping a more equitable and sustainable workplace. Fair Share offers a clear roadmap for leaders ready to rethink how work works — for everyone. Register here.

Insight Timer

Need some working parent calm in your day? If you have the Insight Timer app, connect with me as a Teacher there. In my lesson, How To Set A Daily Intention, I share practical strategies for how to set a daily intention to bring calm into your day and reduce stress.

Parents at Work Podcast

*New Episode Alert* In this episode of Parents at Work, Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin talk with Beth Wanner of MotherCover and Kyle Robisch of Latitude about parental leave fill-in talent and why it’s becoming essential for modern workplaces. They explore how thoughtful coverage supports both business continuity and employee well-being, while redefining what it means to take leave without guilt or career risk.

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Saturday Secrets, by Mindful Return

Saturday Secrets: Summer Sanity for Working Parents

Tips on living a calmer life as a working parent sent to your inbox every weekend

Summer Sanity for Working Parents