Why I’m Not Feeling Guilty for Staying Home This Summer

Why I’m Not Feeling Guilty for Staying Home This Summer

ByAmanda

 If you’re anything like me, summer rolls around and suddenly the pressure hits… Should I have planned more trips? Booked more activities? Created a Pinterest-worthy calendar of outings?

But this year… I’m doing things differently. Why I’m not feeling guilty for staying home this summer…

This summer, we’re staying home more, and honestly? I feel more aligned, more present, and more grateful than I have in a long time. I’m not feeling the stress and the urgency that I usually do this time of year.

Children having fun playing with toy guns indoors, reflecting joy and energy.

Why I’m Choosing to Stay Home (and Not Feel Bad About It)

1. My Kids Don’t Need Constant Entertainment

They need presence, not perfection. They need freedom to play, explore, rest, and just be kids. I’ve seen how much calmer and more creative they are when they’re not overstimulated by go-go-go schedules. They are just as relaxed as I am being here at home and to be honest, I’ve had a lot less tantrums than usual. Instead of keeping them busy outside of our house, I’m keeping them busy here in the house with the AC running or in our backyard in the fresh air. Check out some of my go-to items for keeping the kids entertained while staying home. 

  • This sandbox is like one I’ve never seen before. I love that its nice and compact, it also comes with all of the toys and molds to play in the sand, it sips up to keep the sand clean and the kids play in it for hours.
  • Who doesn’t love an outdoor water table? This is another toy that I have to pry both kids away from to come inside and take a break from the summer heat.
  • Don’t forget about good old-fashioned sidewalk chalk! The games and activities with this are endless.

2. I’m Breaking Up With “Busy Mom Culture”

Just because summer is here doesn’t mean I need to fill every second. Slowing down is helping me heal too. I’m a better mom when I’m not stretched thin. Don’t get me wrong, I love to get out and socialize, but as of now, I’m in a season where I’m bonding with my kids and relearning who I am as a mom, wife, and woman. I am making journaling part of my morning routine while the kids eat breakfast and play, not feeling the need to get dressed and done up to go out in public, and being able to read and relax instead of constantly having my head on a swivel making sure one of the kids aren’t running off in a public place. 

  • I have two go-to journals for my morning routine, free style writing, and guided journaling (really good for beginners) for more on journaling check out my blog post How Journaling Helped Me Shift My Mindset as a Mom & 5 Tools That Made It Easier
  • Like I mentioned, I’m staying comfortable this summer and this is a must-try lounge outfit, perfect for around the house or going for a quick walk around the neighborhood.
  • The one thing I’ve been intentionally doing to stay off my phone and to show a good example to my kids this summer is reading. I am deep into mindset work right now, and likely you are too if you are reading this. Atomic Habits is a book that I could read over and over.
Young child reading a book outdoors with a teddy bear, enjoying a sunny day on the grass.

3. Nature Is the Best Classroom

Whether it’s a backyard bug hunt, sidewalk chalk letters, or snack time under a tree, our kids learn just as much (sometimes more) from unstructured play than they do from formal lessons or expensive outings. This article (which is a quick read), among many others, made me feel so much better about the choice and explained it all.

I don’t have the biggest backyard, but I’m making the best of it by letting the kids get dirty and explore with some of these activity kits that have changed the game for learning in nature. There are many days when we get out of our own backyard and take a walk in the neighborhood or to the closest park, and these activities come in handy then too. 

  • Nature scavenger hunt cards that come in a cute and convenient little pouch. They are also great for long road trips.
  • This little Bug catcher set has been a hit with both of my kids. I love that it has the little bug cards showing what bug they caught.
  • This was our first year getting into gardening and learning about plants, so if that is something you are into, this little gardening set is perfect and not cheaply made.

4. I’m Soaking Up These Years—They Won’t Last Forever

The slow mornings, sticky popsicle afternoons… the barefoot giggles… the quiet books before bed. These are the moments I’ll miss. And they’re happening right here, at home. Stop feeling guilty for not doing all the activities. Enjoy yourself, your kids, and your home. The best thing I did was start feeling grateful for my home and being here with my babies.

A mother and daughter enjoying creative playtime with wooden toys at the table indoors.

Final Thoughts: I’m Not Feeling Guilty For Staying Home This Summer.

If staying home this summer feels right for you, do it.
Not because it’s trendy, but because it gives your family peace, presence, and space to just be.

These days our world is so full of uncertainty. I don’t know about you, but for me I’m certain that being home with my babies, making healthy meals instead of going out, and being comfortable in my environment brings out the best in us all. 

There’s no guilt in that.

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