Summer Break and the Silent Burnout No One Talks About

Summer break. For some parents, it’s a time of rest, beach trips, and backyard fun. But for many of us raising a child with autism, it’s a season of exhaustion masked by sunscreen and smiles.

Let’s be honest: summer can feel like survival mode in disguise.

The routines we worked so hard to build during the school year? Gone. The therapies and school support? On pause. And our kids—who thrive on structure—are now navigating endless days filled with too much stimulation and not enough regulation.

I see you. Trying to fill the hours with park visits that end in meltdowns. Trying to stay patient when your child refuses to wear sunscreen or sandals. Trying to hide your disappointment when the “fun” summer plans become just another trigger.

You’re not ungrateful. You’re not a bad parent. You’re just tired—and maybe a little angry that no one really talks about how hard this season can be for us.

That’s why I created Angry Autism Mom—not just to vent, but to validate. To remind you that your feelings matter, even the messy ones. To say out loud that burnout is real—and it doesn’t mean you don’t love your child. To give you a space where you don’t have to explain why a trip to the splash pad requires two hours of planning, backup clothes, headphones, and prayer.

This July, I’m choosing radical honesty and gentle compassion—for myself and for every parent walking this road.

Let’s check in with each other. Let’s create more moments of rest—even if that just means turning on a screen so you can cry in the laundry room for 10 minutes. Let’s stop pretending we’re not at capacity when we are.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. And no one will know it’s empty if you keep pretending it’s full.

So this month, I challenge you to say:

• “No” without guilt.

• “Help” without shame.

• And “I’m tired” without apology.

  
  

Because you’re not alone. Not now. Not ever.