My kids do not care that I’m in my third trimester. To them, it’s summer — which means park days, pool days, popsicles, and a level of energy I genuinely cannot match right now. Figuring out how to give them a real summer while my body is doing its own full-time job has taken some trial and error. Here’s where we’ve landed.
The short version: we get outside early, I plan the week around the forecast instead of fighting it, homemade watermelon popsicles are doing a lot of heavy lifting, a caregiver takes my daughter to the pool on the days it’s too hot for me, and I’ve made peace with the fact that this summer just looks different. Here’s the breakdown.
1. We Get Outside Early
Outdoor time happens before 9 a.m. in our house right now, full stop. We’re out the door for the park, a walk, or just driveway chalk while the air is still tolerable, and we’re back inside before the heat really sets in.
This isn’t just a “mom is hot and tired” preference — it’s actually the guidance for kids too. The National Weather Service recommends scheduling outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day, like morning and evening hours, for exactly this reason. My kids get their outside time and their energy out, and we’re not all melting by 10 a.m.
2. I Plan the Week Around the Weather, Not Around What I Wish It Would Do
Every Sunday, I pull up the forecast for the week and build our plan around it instead of around what I wish the weather would do. Cooler mornings or evenings mean park time or the playground. Hot, sticky days mean we stay inside — library story time, an indoor play space, or just crafts and a movie at home.
This isn’t me being overly cautious. The CDC advises avoiding outdoor activity from late morning to midafternoon on hot days, when the sun is strongest, and the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that a heat index of 90°F or higher poses a real risk for kids. Once I started treating the forecast as the actual plan instead of a suggestion, our weeks got a lot less stressful for everyone.
3. Lots of Homemade Popsicles — Watermelon Especially
This has become our go-to summer activity and snack in one. My kids help “make” the popsicles (mostly by supervising), and watermelon is the star ingredient because it’s about 91% water, according to Healthline — which means a popsicle break is also a hydration break, for them and for me.
Our go-to version is about as simple as it gets: blend seedless watermelon with a small squeeze of lime juice, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze for at least four hours. No added sugar needed — the watermelon does all the work. It’s become one of those small wins that makes a hot afternoon feel like a treat instead of something to survive.
Oh, and the kids think they’re actually getting a treat!
4. A Caregiver Takes My Daughter to the Pool When It’s Too Hot for Me
My daughter wants to be at the pool every single day this summer, and most days, I genuinely cannot be out there with her in the heat right now. So on the hottest days, a caregiver takes her instead — sometimes my husband, sometimes a grandparent, sometimes our babysitter — and I stay in the air conditioning.
I personally overheat fast right now, and she shouldn’t have to skip the pool because of it. Letting someone else take her has been one of the better decisions of the summer — for both of us.
5. Accepting That This Might Not Be the Summer I Envisioned
This is the hardest one, and also the most important. I had a version of this summer in my head — more spontaneous days, more energy, more mobility, more “yes” — and the reality has looked different. Some days I sit out. Some plans get cancelled. Some afternoons end with everyone inside earlier than I’d like.
I’ve had to actively let that go, and remind myself that this isn’t the only summer we get together. Next year, baby #3 will be here, and things will look like a “normal” summer again — just a different normal. I wrote more about giving myself grace through the harder, less-Instagrammable parts of motherhood and I’ve been leaning on a lot of that same mindset right now: this season is temporary, and good enough is good enough.
What’s Next: Getting Ready for Baby #3
Before too long, we’ll be back in newborn mode — and back to navigating the breast-to-bottle transition all over again, which is exactly why Bottimals exists in the first place. If you’re there right now with your own little one, the bottle-lovey collection is ready whenever you need it.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog post — including tips related to pregnancy, children’s heat safety, and seasonal activity planning — is based on personal experience and general, publicly available information. It is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Every pregnancy, child, and family is different. Please consult your OB-GYN, midwife, or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions about your pregnancy, and your child’s pediatrician regarding any questions about your child’s health, hydration, or heat safety. Bottimals™ products are designed to provide comfort and familiarity during feeding transitions and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Individual results may vary.