Is It Just Summer Behavior or Something More?

The school year ends, and with it, structured days, consistent bedtimes, and clear expectations. A few weeks later, you might be noticing some changes in your child. Maybe they’re more irritable, having more meltdowns, or they may seem to have boundless energy that’s hard to manage. Many parents ask: "Is this just typical 'summer behavior,' or is it a sign of something more serious?"

 

Chances are, you're going to see regression in the summer—that's typical behavior for a child. They have less structure, their routines are off, bedtimes and meals are inconsistent. Plus, our friend, the sun is out until 9:00pm. Some typical summer behavioral regressions include: Increased meltdowns, avoidance, or rigidity; heightened emotional sensitivity or shutdowns; decreased tolerance for frustration; and changes in sleep or self-regulation skills. While these behaviors are considered developmentally appropriate, they can be disruptive for the household. 

No matter the circumstance, there is hope. There are several ways you can proactively support your child and get to the bottom of what’s going on.

• Reintroduce structure with established summer routines around meals/sleep, visual schedules, and screen time limits.

• Make a plan for co-regulation and downtime, especially after high-energy activities.

• Communicate clearly and give advance notice for transitions.

• Maintain support services (e.g., therapy, OT, medication management) during summer.

While there is a healthy range of typical behavioral regression in summer, certain signs may indicate behaviors going beyond seasonal adjustment and warrant evaluation by a mental health professional. 

The Key: If your child can still enjoy relationships, participate in activities, regulate their emotions most of the time, and bounce back with a bit of support, what you are noticing is likely seasonal adjustment.
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Other red flags
The distinction between typical and concerning behavior lies not just in what the behavior is, but its quality—how long it lasts, how intense it gets, and how much it interferes with your child’s ability to function and find joy. While these don’t necessarily constitute an emergency, they’re concerning behaviors to address with professional support. 

• Withdrawing from previously enjoyed activities
  Take note if your child starts to pull away from things they usually love. This isn't about being bored with a video game after playing for hours. This is, “Wow, they normally play video games every day and they haven't played them in a week and they want nothing to do with it.”
• Significant sleep and appetite changes
  Sleeping in after a late night is one thing, but consistent changes that impact energy and mood are concerning. This could mean staying up all night and being irritable all day, or refusing to eat anything but junk food for prolonged periods.
• Excessive worry, rigidity, or emotional outbursts that don’t improve with support
  Anxiety before new situations is expected, but excessive worry that interferes with daily activities, an inability to tolerate changes in plans, or consistently seeking reassurance may point to deeper issues. This includes extreme inflexibility about rules or routines and outbursts that are disproportionate to the situation.
• Difficulty functioning in multiple environments
  Are you getting notes from camp counselors that your child is isolating themselves or not getting along with others, well past the initial adjustment period? Children often exhibit more emotional behavior at home where they feel comfortable, but failing to thrive outside the home signifies a pervasive issue.

 

 

Seeking help is a sign of good parenting, so if your gut is telling you something is off, it’s probably time to take action. If you are concerned about your child's behavior, particularly if it involves any potential for self-harm or harm to others, do not delay in seeking help. This includes instances where a young child is engaging in head banging or an older child expresses feelings like, "I don't like myself." Take immediate action when you observe such behaviors or hear these words.

Trust your gut
The most important rule is to act whenever your instinct tells you to. Throughout conversations with parents, I always return to one fact: “I may be a child development expert, but you’re the expert on your child's development, and you'll know before anyone else.” Even if it's just a gut feeling that something's not right with your child, that's the time to seek some professional advice.

Alternatively, I never want a parent to feel shame or judged as in, "Why didn't you come sooner?” If your child is not engaging in immediate harm to themself or others, there is no pressured timeline. Never worry about being judged for waiting. Many families struggle with these issues and it’s not always easy to know what to do.

 

Seeking help isn’t a commitment to years of therapy. Just because you're asking for advice doesn’t mean your child will get a diagnosis, become a long-term patient, or need multiple visits. A mental health check-in is as “normal” and important as a physical check-up. I've had many patient intake conversations where parents needed just some one-time advice from a professional. 

 

If you decide to seek support, preparation can make the process smoother.

 

• Keep a journal
  This helps you track patterns and provides concrete information. Write down what you’re noticing, including behaviors, mood shifts, and changes in sleep or appetite changes. Note what time of day this behavior occurs, frequency, duration, and potential triggers. 
• Gather feedback
  Talk to adults in your child's life, like camp counselors. Does the behavior happen in other environments?
• Collect key information
  Be ready with your child's developmental and medical history, including medications they take.
• Have the main guardians present
  In households with more than one adult, it can be helpful to speak with all guardians to collect a fuller picture.

Your concern means you're paying attention. It means you're a great parent. And as a parent, you don’t need to have all the answers, but trusting your gut, tracking what you observe, and reaching out when something feels off is one of the most powerful ways you can advocate for your child’s well-being.

As you navigate these summer shifts, remember that tending to your own well-being is not a luxury, but a necessity. Prioritizing parental self-care—whether it's finding moments of quiet, connecting with your support system, or simply acknowledging your own efforts—ensures you have the resilience and patience to guide your child through their challenges. A well-supported parent is better equipped to support their child.