Orienting Your Child: Predictability Brings Safety

During summer, everything feels less structured, travel, guests, spontaneous outings, and that can throw kids off. One of the kindest things we can do is orient our children to what’s coming.

For babies, orientation might be as simple as narrating the moment:

“We’re getting out of the car and going to see Grandma now.”

But for toddlers and older children (around age two and up), a little more foresight helps. Showing pictures of Grandma, her house, or other people they’ll see, even just a day in advance, can go a long way.

Ask yourself:

• Do they know where we’re going?

• Who we’ll see?

• What the setting will be like?

We often take that knowledge for granted, but predictability creates inner safety. And when children feel safe, they can relax into the experience instead of resisting it.

Just a few hours or a day’s notice can make a big difference. Orientation shows respect for their internal world, and it often builds excitement, too.

It becomes something you’re looking forward to together.
That’s connection. That’s fun.

For more on preparing kids for transitions and creating rhythm during unpredictable times, watch my two-part YouTube video series: “Summer Is Coming — Part 1 & 2.”

Bedtime Away From Home (or With Guests Around)

Whether you're visiting family or hosting at home, bedtime during summer can feel like an afterthought, but it's still important.

If you're sleeping away from home, think:

How can we “copy-paste” our child’s usual bedtime environment?

Bring familiar cues: the lovey, sound machine, and routine order. This helps smooth the transition from stimulation to sleep.

And when hosting or attending social gatherings, try to:

• Build in connection time before bedtime so your child doesn't feel rushed.

• Say goodnight with your child to everyone before transitioning to a quieter space.

• Dim the energy, not just the lights.

Your calm presence is everything.
When you show up focused, patient, and centered, you become your child’s SOS: Source of Stability (you can read more about what that means here). That’s what helps them settle, even in unfamiliar settings.

Real-Life Story: Camping With Calm Confidence

Recently, I supported a family heading out for a weekend camping trip with friends. We planned ahead.

The mom packed dinner in advance, and when they hit traffic and arrived at dinnertime, she calmly fed her little one (1.2 years) in the car while others unpacked.

Bedtime rolled around, but the energy at the campsite was high. Kids were overstimulated. The idea of a “normal” bedtime felt far off. Still, when her son had had enough, she calmly said goodnight to the group, brought him into the tent, and began the familiar bedtime routine.

Despite others warning her, “There’s no way he’ll fall asleep now!”, she trusted her instincts.

It took 80 minutes, but he eventually fell asleep by 9:00 PM and slept through until 6:30 AM. Not a perfect night, but a good one, and a big win for her, navigating this camping trip skillfully, taking care of her son's needs.

And more than anything? She felt proud of herself! That is the biggest takeaway!

The Gift of Boredom: Creating Space to Just Be

We live in a culture that treats boredom like a problem, something to solve with more outings, more activities, more stimulation.

But what if boredom is actually an invitation?

Many parents find themselves filling every day with classes, playdates, and errands. Baby yoga, mommy-and-me meetups, swim lessons, back to back.

But in doing so, we can lose the quiet, agenda-free moments that build connection through just being together.

This summer, I invite you to slow down:

• Take a long, aimless walk.

• Lie on the couch with your child and just hang out together, enjoying each other's company.

• Schedule a block of time labeled “nothing”, and protect it.

You may be surprised how nourishing it feels for both of you.

Let This Be the Summer of Presence

As summer unfolds, remember: you don’t need to do more.
You just need to be with what is.

Not every day needs to be magical.
Not every moment needs to be planned.

What matters most is that your child feels your warmth, steadiness, and presence, especially in unstructured times.

Let this be the summer of:

• Rhythm (not rigidity)

• Connection (not perfection)

• Breathing room (not busywork)

A summer anchored in what matters most to your family.

If your sleep routines feel off track or you're craving more clarity and support, my online course “Quiet Nights for You and Your Child” is here to guide you, step by step, with one month of free access to my thriving support community included.