By: Tara Brock, LPC and Mom

As a therapist and a mom, I’ve noticed that the end of summer can bring up much more emotion than many families expect. We often think about this time of year as a season of new clothes, school supplies, new backpacks, and getting ready for a new school year. But underneath all of that preparation can be a surprising sense of sadness, nostalgia, and even grief.

I’m already hearing these emotions from my clients. Children and teens are saying things like, “I don’t want summer to end,” “I wish we had more time,” or simply complaining that summer went by too quickly. And as a mom, I see it at home, too. The complaints about summer ending often seem to arrive at exactly the same time as the back-to-school shopping begins.

There is something emotional about walking through a store picking out new sneakers, clothes, notebooks, and school supplies when your child knows those purchases mean summer is coming to an end. A new backpack can be exciting while also serving as a reminder that carefree summer days are almost over.

For many children and teens, summer represents freedom. It can mean sleeping later, spending time outside, swimming, going to camp, seeing friends, taking family trips, enjoying the lake or pool, and having fewer responsibilities. Even older children and teenagers, who may not always show their emotions openly, can feel a real sense of loss when that freedom starts to disappear.

Let Them Feel It

As parents, our instinct can be to cheer our children up or remind them of all the fun things they have to look forward to. But sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is simply acknowledge the feeling.

Try saying:

“I know. Summer really did go by quickly.”

Or:

“It sounds like you’re really going to miss these summer days.”

This is a simple form of emotional validation. We aren’t trying to fix the feeling or make it disappear. We’re showing our children that their emotions are understandable and that they are safe to express them.

Sometimes being heard is all a child needs in that moment.

Help Them Put Words to What They’re Feeling

Children don’t always have the words to explain why the end of summer feels difficult. Instead of assuming what is bothering them, try asking:

“What do you think you’ll miss most about summer?”

Their answer might surprise you. It could be sleeping late, seeing a particular friend, having more family time, playing outside, or simply not having a schedule.

For younger children, drawing a picture of their favorite summer memory can be a wonderful way to process the season. Older children and teens might enjoy making a list of their favorite summer moments or choosing a few photos to print or save.

This allows them to recognize that even though summer is ending, the experiences don’t disappear.

Create a Summer Goodbye

Transitions can be easier when we intentionally mark them.

Have one more special summer evening. Take a family walk, get ice cream, watch a favorite movie, have dinner outside, visit the lake, or recreate a favorite summer activity.

It doesn’t have to be elaborate. What matters is creating a moment to pause and say, in your own way, “This was a good summer, and we’re going to remember it.”

These little rituals can help children move through a transition rather than feeling like summer simply disappeared overnight.

Allow Yourself to Feel It, Too

Parents and caregivers can experience their own version of the end-of-summer blues.

As a parent, you may be ready for a more predictable schedule, but that doesn’t mean you’re not going to miss the slower mornings, spontaneous plans, family time, or watching your children enjoy the freedom of summer.

And there is something particularly emotional about realizing that your children are growing and that each summer looks a little different from the one before it.

It’s okay to feel both relief and sadness, excitement and nostalgia

Rather than rushing past those feelings, give yourself permission to notice them, too. You don’t have to turn the end of summer into something positive right away or feel guilty for looking forward to getting back into a routine. Both can be true.

In fact, allowing ourselves to experience mixed emotions can help us model the same thing for our children: feelings don’t need to be fixed or pushed away. Sometimes they simply need to be acknowledged.

One of the most important things we can teach our children is that emotions don’t have to be either/or.

They can be excited about a new school year and sad that summer is ending.

They can be excited about new clothes and school supplies and complain that summer went too quickly.

They can be ready for a new chapter and still want to hold onto the one that is ending.

As a therapist and a mom, I think one of the most helpful messages we can give our children is:

“You don’t have to choose between being excited and being sad. You can feel both.”

The end of summer is a transition, and transitions naturally bring emotions. We don’t have to rush our children through those feelings or immediately turn them into something positive.

Sometimes we simply need to slow down, listen, acknowledge what is ending, and make room for what comes next.

And perhaps most importantly, we can remind our children, and ourselves, that summer may be ending, but the memories we’ve made together are coming with us.

Transitions can bring up unexpected emotions for children, teens, and parents alike. If your family could use additional support navigating anxiety, change, or a new season of life, the therapists at Your Path to Empowerment are here to help.