Making the Most of Summer: A Parent’s Guide to Growth and Resilience

In this episode of The Raider Ramble, hosts Diana Flemma and Sarah Levi offer insightful guidance for parents navigating the summer months with their teenage and college-aged children. As licensed mental health professionals and seasoned parents themselves, Diana and Sarah explore how summer can be a powerful season for reflection, independence-building, and emotional resilience. They break the season into three key phases — the beginning, middle, and end — and walk parents through practical tools for helping teens decompress, grow, and transition with greater confidence.

Top Takeaways for Parents:

• Decompression is crucial: Teens need time to rest and recalibrate after a demanding school year — this isn't laziness, it's recovery.
• Set expectations collaboratively: Hold a family meeting after a short decompression period to discuss curfews, chores, and summer plans.
• Break the summer into phases: Tackle expectations and goals in smaller time chunks, revisiting and adjusting as needed.
• Use the driver’s license analogy: Building life skills requires guidance, practice, and gradually increasing independence.
• Prioritize communication and feedback: Encourage your teen’s voice in decision-making to foster ownership and self-confidence.
• Support real-world skill-building: Summer is ideal for practicing budgeting, healthcare management, and other adult responsibilities.
• Focus on strengths, not just struggles: Highlight what your teen does well to build motivation and resilience.
• Practice emotional regulation: Expect emotional ups and downs, especially near summer’s end — your calm presence matters.
• Reinforce self-care routines: Help teens keep sleep, exercise, and emotional regulation strategies consistent as school approaches.
• Plan for continued connection: Work with your teen to develop a communication and support plan for when they return to school or college.

LINKS
Sarah H. Levi, PsyD
www.drsarahlevi.com

Diana Flemma, MA, LCPC
www.dianaflemmacounseling.com

LIVE EVENT
Launch With Confidence: Successfully Guide Your Teen Into the Post-High School Years

Feeling unsure about how to support your teen as they prepare for life after high school? You’re not alone. Join therapists and parents Diana Flemma, MA, and Sarah H. Levi, PsyD, who bring 45+ years of combined experience with high school and college students and their families, for a one-hour conversation to help you feel more confident, prepared, and connected during this major transition. You’ll leave with practical tools, new insights, and a sense of community with other parents navigating the same challenges.

Designed for parents of high schoolers—including rising 9th graders and recent grads.

Upcoming Dates
📍 Wednesday, June 11 | 1:30 p.m. — North Shore Country Day
📍 Wednesday, August 13 | 1:30 p.m. — Winnetka Public Library
📍 Wednesday, August 13 | 7:00 p.m. — Winnetka Public Library