The Summer You Imagined…and The Reality of Caregiving Over the Summer

I hope it’s still a wonderful summer regardless. The image used in this post was taken at the Matanuska Glacier outside of Anchorage, Alaska.

If you’re staring at the calendar wondering, “How is it already past mid-July?!” — you’re not alone.

For many of us, especially those caring for kids and aging parents, summer seems to fly by faster every year. And when you add the start of school prep into the mix, suddenly there’s even less time left to go bowling, see a fun movie, and make plans with friends and family.

If you’re feeling behind on your summer to-do list, let me reassure you: You are not failing — you’re carrying more than most.

The good news? There’s still time to pause, decide what truly matters to you, and let the rest go.

Why Does Summer Feel So Short for Caregivers?

Quite simply — summer usually feels busier for sandwich generation caregivers!

• The constant flux of your kids’ schedules during summer months.  
• Aging parents who still depend on you — because medical needs and care don’t take a vacation.

• Work schedule that doesn’t really slow down just because it’s summer — especially when coworkers often cover for one another during vacations.
• Guilt that creeps in — of course you want the summer to be amazing for you and your loved ones, but the ideal summer is a hard expectation to live up to.

Add in the fact that many schools start in mid-August (ours is August 13!) or after Labor Day, you have about two to four weeks left before everything shifts again.  How is that even possible? That’s what I’m thinking right now.

The Summer You Imagined…and The Reality of Caregiving Over the Summer (I hope it’s still a wonderful summer regardless)

If you’re like most people, you may have started the summer picturing a magical mix of adventures, relaxation, and connection.

For our family, that included a trip to Alaska — and yes, we made incredible memories hiking through Denali, being in nature, and seeing wildlife.

But it was messy too:

• Compromising around bedtimes because it was challenging to unwind; it’s daylight well past midnight!
• Feeling frustrated when they couldn’t just “be bored.”
• Checking my phone for updates from my mom, who wasn’t answering texts when I actually had cellular service.
• Realizing that trying to minimize tech was re-routed by my teen sneaking his phone into the bathroom, noticing the I-Pad lights under the covers after we thought everyone was asleep, and needing phones to “take pictures” when there was a Wi-Fi signal.

It wasn’t perfect — but it was amazing. Adjusting my expectations and releasing the idea of the “perfect family vacation” helped me appreciate the experience even more.

A Better Question: What Really Matters Before Summer Ends?

Instead of trying to “catch up” on that summer to-do list or crunch in more activities than you can handle before summer is over, try this instead:

💛 Pause.
💛 Reflect.
💛 Choose what feels important to you and your family.

Here are 3 simple questions to help guide your next few weeks:

1️. What 3 things matter most to me before summer ends?

Maybe it’s one more hike.
Maybe it’s making sure mom feels included in some family activities.
Maybe it’s taking 10 minutes for yourself each morning before everyone wakes up.

2️.  What can I let go of without guilt?

Maybe it’s the garage that never got organized, raising my hand here!
Maybe it’s the Pinterest-worthy family picnic.
Maybe it’s responding to every group text or email immediately.  And…let go of that guilt regardless, without justification. 

3️. How do I want to feel when the kids head back to school?

Do you want to feel grounded? Rested? Connected to your family?
Let those feelings guide your priorities, not the checklist.

There’s no wrong answer here, it’s about having a conversation with your family and prioritizing what matters most to you and those you love.

Here is your reminder for the last month of summer:

You Don’t Need to Earn Rest!

Let go of the sandwich generation guilt. Give yourself grace — especially during summer, when everyday life can feel even more chaotic. That guilt only makes it harder to notice and enjoy the simple, meaningful moments that really make up this stage of life.

Release the urge to curate “perfect” summer memories. It’s impossible to make it perfect for everyone — and that’s okay. There are so many moving parts in your daily life, and you’re already doing enough.

Let’s all agree: social media does not define what an amazing summer looks like. Even if your summer doesn’t look like anyone else’s, it’s still yours — and it matters.

Some things will have to wait this summer.
Just make sure it’s not the things that matter most to you.

What Next?

If you’re ready to make the most of what’s left, here are a few ideas to get started:
✨ Write down your top 3 priorities for the next few weeks.

✨ Share these with your family and friends

✨ Use tools you already have like phone alarms, Alexa, and shard Google calendars to take some mental load off (reminders, routines, calming music, etc.).

✨ Let go of what won’t get done (like my garage…that will have to wait).

You may not realize it now, but the love you’re showing your family — even in messy, imperfect moments — is shaping their memories.

Your Turn:
What’s one thing you’re letting go of — and one thing you’re keeping — before summer ends?

Let me know in the comments or journal it privately.
You deserve to enjoy what’s left.

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📋 Want help staying organized so you can focus on what matters?
Download our free Caregiver Medical Organizer — designed for busy caregivers like you who need simple systems that actually work.

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Sources & References

• AARP & S&P Global, Working while Caregiving: It’s Complicated (2024)
• SHRM, Care and Careers: Navigating Caregiving and Work Responsibilities (2024)
• Guardian Life Insurance, Caregiving in America (2023)
• University of Michigan, A National Profile of Sandwich Generation Caregivers (2022)
• Pew Research Center, The Sandwich Generation (2024 update)
• Family Caregiver Alliance, Caregiver Statistics: Work and Caregiving (2022)
• NASHP, National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers (2024)