When Summer Isn’t So Sweet: Understanding Teen Struggles During the Summer Months
For many parents, summer feels like a break, a time to unwind, recharge, and enjoy a slower pace without rushing your kids off to school and sports. But for many teens, summer can bring a surprising mix of emotional challenges that often go unnoticed. The sudden lack of structure, shifts in social interaction, and increase in downtime can quietly take a toll on their mental well-being. If your teen seems more irritable, withdrawn, or anxious lately, it may not be “just a phase.” Here's what might really be going on and how you can help.
Summer FOMO Is Real
Teens today are constantly plugged in, and over the summer, social media can amplify feelings of missing out. Seeing friends on trips, at parties, or spending money on back-to-school clothes they may not have can lead to feelings of inadequacy or exclusion. Even if they’ve been busy themselves, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap.
What parents can do:
Encourage real conversations about social media and how it can distort reality. Remind them that people share highlights, not everyday struggles. Create opportunities for low-pressure, fun activities that are within your family’s means, what matters most is the connection, not the cost. Rember, it is always best to start a conversation with teens by validating their feelings, as they are real, even if you can not relate.
The Isolation of Downtime
Without daily school interaction, many teens go from seeing friends regularly to feeling surprisingly alone. Even if they have access to social plans, introverted or anxious teens might avoid reaching out, leading to further disconnection.
What parents can do:
Check in often casually and without judgment. Create small, consistent moments of connection, like walks, shared meals, or car rides. Encourage them to make plans with one or two close friends or explore summer activities that foster healthy peer interaction.
The Disruption of Routine
School provides a structured rhythm: wake up, go to class, participate, perform. When summer hits, that routine disappears. For some teens, the sudden freedom feels paralyzing. The lack of clear goals or daily structure can contribute to increased anxiety, emotional dysregulation, or even depressive-like symptoms.
What parents can do:
Help your teen build a flexible but predictable routine. This doesn’t mean creating a strict schedule, it means helping them organize their time with intention. Think: a regular wake-up time (even if it is a bit later), scheduled chores, planned social or physical activity, and built-in downtime.
The Screen Time Spiral
With less to do, screens often fill the space. While some downtime is healthy, excessive screen use, especially late at night, can interfere with sleep, increase anxiety, and reduce motivation.
What parents can do:
Collaborate on screen time boundaries rather than impose them. Tie screen time to daily responsibilities and well-being (e.g., sleep, movement, time outside). Offer alternatives they enjoy: this should be individualized based on teens preferences.
How to Know If Your Teen Is Struggling
Be on the lookout for:
Changes in mood or appetite
Withdrawal from friends or family
Sleep disruption (sleeping too much or too little)
Loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy
Expressions of hopelessness or feeling “off”
If concerns persist, consider speaking with a mental health professional. Sometimes, just knowing someone is paying attention can be the turning point.
Summer break doesn’t always feel like a break to your teen. But with your support and awareness, it can be a time of rest, growth, and reconnection.
