Summers Aren't Always Easy and That's OK

Summer Isn’t Always Easy—And That’s Okay

Summer always shows up with its own kind of energy. Longer days and a subtle pressure to "make the most" of them. But if you’re parenting a neurodivergent adult child, you might be feeling something very different. Maybe the season doesn’t bring lightness, but more weight. Routines fall apart. Programs close for the summer and caseworkers may be harder to reach. And this year especially, there’s a new level of anxiety in the air, as vital services and government supports are being quietly reduced or threatened altogether.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, angry, or quietly terrified about what happens next, I want you to know you’re not alone. Many parents are carrying this mix of dread and guilt, unsure how to plan for a future that feels increasingly unstable. We’re watching budgets shrink while needs grow and there’s no easy roadmap for how to protect our adult kids in a system that keeps moving the goalposts.

And yet, here we are. Still parenting. Still showing up. Still trying to create small moments of stability, peace, or even joy. That might mean letting go of the "perfect summer" and instead focusing on a daily walk, a shared meal, or a few hours of calm. It might mean advocating in a way that protects your energy or simply pressing pause when you need to breathe. That’s not failure. That’s wisdom.

So if this summer feels complicated, that’s okay. There’s room for both beauty and grief in this season. Let’s stay grounded, stay connected, and remind ourselves that our work is sacred. Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s done with love, even in the mess. I see you. You’re doing enough. You’re not alone.