Summer break is a time for fun and freedom—but for many children, it also brings emotional meltdowns, sleep struggles, and sibling squabbles. Without the structure of the school year, kids can easily become dysregulated. In this article, psychologist and mom Dr. Yanet Vanegas shares practical, research-informed strategies to help children ages 4 to 12 stay emotionally balanced during the summer months. From building loose routines to using play as a tool for self-regulation, discover how to make this summer both joyful and grounded.

Summer may feel like a break from school, but it doesn't have to be a break from growth. In this article, we'll explore how parents can use the flexibility of summer to help children and teens strengthen their executive functioning skills—like planning, organization, and emotional regulation—through fun, everyday activities. Discover how small, intentional moments can build lifelong skills.

Summer can be a beautiful time for families—but it can also be emotionally intense for kids. Without the structure of the school year, many children feel unanchored, overstimulated, or anxious, and those feelings show up in big ways. In this post, I share what I’ve learned as both a psychologist and a mom about helping kids through emotional ups and downs—how to step in early, what to do when emotions peak, and how to reset after the storm. If summer's feeling a little louder than expected, this one's for you.