The Bittersweet Summer of Motherhood: A Love Letter to the Mamas in the Middle of It All
Summer with kids is such a weird mix, right? On one hand, it’s full of sun-drenched memories and barefoot adventures. On the other hand, it’s nonstop snacks, sunscreen battles, and trying not to lose your mind by lunchtime. It’s beautiful and exhausting. Joyful and overwhelming. And if you’re anything like me, you're just out here doing your best to soak it all in while also kind of counting down the days to school starting again. No shame.
Lately I’ve been thinking about how summer really brings everything to the surface. The highs feel higher. The lows feel lower. And most of the time, we’re somewhere in between, trying to keep it together while also remembering to enjoy the moment. So this is a little love letter to all the moms out there who are in the thick of it this summer. Especially those of you nearby in our sweet North Dallas suburbs, just trying to make it through the day without hearing “I’m bored” for the millionth time.
Let’s talk about it all. The good, the messy, and everything in between.
The Highs: Those dreamy summer moments we live for. Let’s start with the good stuff. Because yes, there’s a lot of chaos, but there’s also so much magic in summer with kids. It’s the slow mornings without alarms. The sidewalk chalk masterpieces that cover the driveway. The way your kids get this extra sparkle in their eyes when they’re running through the sprinkler or catching fireflies.
It’s the spontaneous ice cream trips. Pool days that leave everyone sun-kissed and sleepy. The smell of sunscreen and that post-nap baby snuggle when they’re still warm from the sun. I know these are the moments we’ll miss one day. The sweet, sun-soaked stuff that kind of feels like a movie when you stop and take it all in.
As a photographer, these are the moments I love capturing most. There’s something about the light in summer that just wraps around people in the prettiest way. Whether it's a maternity session full of hope and anticipation or a family shoot filled with giggles and grass stains, summer light tells a story. And it’s always a good one.
The Lows: When it’s all just a little too much. Okay but also, let’s be real. Summer can be hard. Like really hard.
The days are long. The routines fly out the window. The kids are always hungry, always loud, and always asking for another snack. The house somehow goes from clean to complete disaster in three seconds flat. And don’t even get me started on the screen time guilt, the sibling fights, or the fact that it feels like you’re either constantly cleaning or constantly behind on everything.
There’s so much pressure to make it magical. Like you’re supposed to create the perfect summer memories, take the trips, plan the crafts, make the meals, and stay totally present and grateful the whole time. But some days are just about survival. And that’s okay.
I think we forget sometimes that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. You can love your kids and still need a break. You can be thankful for this season and still feel totally burned out by it. It doesn’t make you a bad mom. It makes you a human.
So if you’re feeling like you’re barely holding it together, you’re not alone. I promise.
The Middle: Where real life happens. The truth is, most of motherhood isn’t in the highs or the lows. It’s in the middle. And honestly, the middle is where the real magic lives.
It’s the quiet moment during nap time when the house is finally still. It’s the little giggle you hear from the other room. The popsicle-stained smiles. The exhausted, messy, sun-kissed evenings when everyone’s a little too tired and a little too happy. These are the moments that matter. They’re not always pretty. They’re definitely not always perfect. But they’re real. And they’re the ones we’ll remember.
That’s why I love capturing summer sessions. It’s not about posing perfectly or looking flawless. It’s about freezing a moment that feels like real life. The real, messy, love-filled life you’re living right now. And helping you remember it forever. If you’re local and thinking about doing a maternity or family session this summer, I’d love to be the one to help tell your story. This season is such a sweet one to capture. And you totally deserve to be in the frame too, mama. Not just behind the camera taking a million pictures of everyone else.
Why summer photos just hit different: There’s just something about summer. Maybe it’s the warm light or the way everyone seems a little more carefree. Or maybe it’s because our kids grow up so fast and summer always feels like a marker in time. Like a moment to pause and say, this is who we were right now.
When I shoot a summer session, I want it to feel relaxed and fun. You don’t have to stress about outfits or making your kids behave. Just show up as you are. Laugh. Play. Be with your people. I’ll take care of the rest.
It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. And honestly, the imperfect stuff usually ends up being our favorite anyway.
To the moms in it right now, if you're sitting in the middle of summer chaos, trying to soak it in while also desperately needing five minutes alone, just know you're doing amazing. You really are.
It’s okay to love it and struggle with it at the same time. To be so in love with your life and also feel like you need a break from it. That’s motherhood. And you’re not doing it wrong.
These summer days won’t last forever. One day, the house will be quiet again. The pool bag will stay packed. The towels will stay dry. And you’ll miss the noise, the laughter, the sticky hands, and even the endless snack requests.
So breathe.
Give yourself grace.
Let the mess be.
Say yes to the fun stuff when you can and don’t feel bad about saying no when you need to. And if you’re ready to capture some of this wild, beautiful season before it slips away, I’m here for you.
Let’s tell your story. The real one. The one you’ll want to remember years from now.
With love,
Lauren