This story is part of The EDIT: Summer Issue. Our quarterly magazine celebrates the rituals, recipes, and rhythms of intentional living. This season’s theme is Carefree—an invitation to live lighter and love deeper. Explore the full issue or order the print edition here.
Two summers ago, our kids begged us to set up a lemonade stand. At three and five years old, they weren’t exactly spearheading the operation—unless you count looking cute and waving down cars (and let’s be honest, I was doing most of the waving). All I could see was the work: squeezing lemons, buying the supplies, and keeping it all icy cold on a sweltering Texas day. Our kitchen turned into a sticky war zone as we (I) stirred together gallons of lemonade. But we mapped out our marketing plan—making handmade signs with Dad, sending out texts to friends, and dressing my daughter in a very on-brand lemon-yellow dress. Sure enough, the cars slowed down, and the coins stacked up.
We all felt proud. The kids gained confidence with each new customer. And somewhere in the sticky mess and neighborly small talk, we rediscovered a sweetness we didn’t know we were missing. Those lemonade stand signs still hang in our garage—a memento from a summer day that, despite all my hesitation, became one of our favorites.
Feature image from our interview with Mary Ralph Bradley by Michelle Nash.
It got me thinking about my own summers growing up in the ’90s. It’s easy to romanticize, but in my experience, those long, lazy days really were a little sweeter. They were slow, unscheduled, and filled with rollerblading, weekly library visits, learning to sew pillows with my mom, and simply figuring out what to do with all that day ahead. Now, we live in a world of overpacked schedules and glowing screens, and while it may be well-intentioned, something vital is getting lost: boredom. And with it? Imagination. Play. Ease. Connection.
I started wondering how to recreate a slow, creative summer experience for my children in a world that so often values the opposite. And I might not have all the answers, but it’s a road map I’m willing to test, bumps and all.
In The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt writes, “Play is the work of childhood, and all young mammals have the same job: Wire up your brain by playing vigorously and often.” What is summer if not the perfect invitation to play freely and often?
It’s true that kids thrive on rhythm and routine, even in summer. And as a working parent, I know how essential structure can be. It helps me carve out pockets of real presence instead of spreading myself too thin. But creativity needs open space to breathe. So schedule the essentials, but find the balance by keeping a few days or afternoons wide open.
Help the creativity along by setting out open-ended toys like hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, or a sprinkler in the yard. Then, here’s the key: Give yourself permission to supervise less. Resist the temptation to direct play or solve problems. Give them a chance to first decide what to play, or figure out how to get the jump rope untied, or work out a disagreement with a friend or sibling. Let them get sticky. Let them get dirty. Let them be bored. On the other side of “I don’t know what to doooo” is the real magic: the chance to invent, create, and grow.
What you’re really doing is laying the groundwork for creativity, problem-solving, emotional development, and resilience. And maybe more importantly, you’re building motivation and autonomy by giving them a chance to decide what they want to do, not what’s been decided for them.
Kids thrive when we give them sunshine over screen time. A 2022 study found that more hours outside leads to less stress, brighter moods, and sharper minds. And when we limit their time online, we’re protecting their sleep, focus, and natural desire to move. The science confirms what we already know in our gut: Kids are happiest when they’re living real life, not watching it.
So, how do we strike a balance in the modern world? Start with a summer plan. You don’t need to go totally off-grid (unless you want to). The key is consistency, clear expectations, and leading by example. Here are a few simple rule ideas:
It’s not about rigid rules. It’s about rhythms that protect what really matters: presence, connection, and the kind of joy that lives on in memory.
I had to plan the lemonade stand, sure, but it didn’t take much—just a Saturday afternoon, a bag (or five) of lemons, and a little willingness to embrace the mess. The older the kids get, the more they can take the lead. That’s the beauty of this: The simpler the idea, the more room they have to run with it.
You don’t have to entertain them all day. You’re not a cruise director, and your house isn’t a summer camp. Let things be simple. That might mean letting go of the pressure to fill every blank space on the calendar and trusting that boredom is where the best stuff begins.
Start by showing your kids what it means to be a neighbor. Say hi to people on your evening walk. Drop off a plate of homemade cookies. Wave at the family down the street, and the next time your kids say they’re bored, suggest knocking on a friend’s door. Sometimes the best summer memories come from unplanned afternoons that start with, “Want to come over and play?”
Personally, I’m excited to bring back the joy of snail mail with my kids this summer—letters, stamps, envelopes, and all. Help your kids find a pen pal and let them write to a cousin or faraway friend. Bonus: There’s something magical about waiting for a reply to arrive in the mailbox. It builds patience, connection, and the joy of anticipation—something a text could never replicate.
Most importantly, trust in the slowness and let summer unfold like it used to. Summer is full of moments that shape a childhood. And they’re simpler to create than we think.
Consider this your syllabus, of sorts. A list of ideas, activities, and flavors to bring the nostalgia home this summer.
Because some skills are just too good to stay in the past.
Materials:
Instructions:
All you need is a blank notebook or binder, some glue or tape, and a little imagination.
A throwback dinner that hits every time—and yes, it’s just as good as you remember.
Elevated Pizza Bagels
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Slice bagels in half and brush the cut sides lightly with olive oil. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes until lightly crisp. Remove from oven and spread each half with marinara, then add cheese and toppings. Broil for 2–5 minutes, just until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Finish with your favorite extras—Parmesan, red pepper flakes, sea salt, or fresh basil. Serve with a side of nostalgia (highly recommend a Cosmic Brownie and Capri Sun).
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