It’s late July, which means two things are happening simultaneously:

1. You can’t believe summer is almost over.

2. You’re counting down the ~30 days until school starts again.

Whether your child is finishing up their last session of camp or you’re staring down a few unstructured weeks ahead, late summer brings a unique set of challenges especially for kids with ADHD and executive function differences. Routines start to slide, “I’m bored” reaches a fever pitch, and the thought of transitioning back to school looms on the horizon.

Here is how to navigate these final weeks of summer smoothly, keep your kids engaged, and gently prepare them for the upcoming school year.

1. Filling the Late-Summer Gap Weeks

If your child’s primary summer camp has wrapped up but school doesn’t start for another month, you don’t need to panic or scramble for expensive, last-minute full-time programs. Instead, pivot to a hybrid approach:

• Activate Your Parent Network: Reach out on local parent group chats. Other families are likely facing the same gap weeks. You can organize informal playdays, pool outings, or rotating supervision where one parent covers a morning or afternoon while others work.

• Low-Cost Local Alternatives: Look into community center day-passes, local pool camps, or self-paced online activity courses for focused blocks of time during the day.

• Break Down Household “Micro-Projects”: If kids are home, assign age-appropriate, digestible home projects like reorganizing their school desk, sorting through last year’s backpack, or redesigning their closet. The key is breaking the project down into tiny steps so it feels achievable, not overwhelming.

2. Navigating Late-Summer Resistance & Refusals

If you do have your child enrolled in a late-season camp or activity, you might encounter pushback: “I don’t want to go,” “None of my friends are there,” or “I just want to stay home.”

At this point in the summer, kids are often socially burnt out or simply longing for downtime.

• Involve Them in the Remaining Choices: Give them input on what the rest of the month looks like. Offer them 2–3 pre-approved options for weekend or afternoon activities so they feel a sense of autonomy.

• Allow “Off” Days if Feasible: If your schedule permits, consider building in an occasional “rest day” from structured activities before the rigid school routine kicks back in.

• Coordinate Friend Connections: Even if friends aren’t at the same camp, schedule low-key evening or weekend hangouts so social needs are met.

3. The 3-Anchor System: Maintaining Gentle Structure

When days lack the rigid schedule of camp or school, kids with ADHD often struggle with unstructured time. Rather than implementing a strict hourly schedule, use 3 Daily Anchors to keep the day grounded:

Anchor 1: Consistent Wake-Up & Breakfast

Keep wake-up times within 30–60 minutes of what they will be during the school year. This prevents a massive circadian rhythm shock come late August.

Anchor 2: One “Out-of-House” Activity

Even a 20-minute walk, a quick trip to the library, or an errand run gets fresh air, changes the environment, and resets nervous systems.

Anchor 3: One Daily “Contribution”

A single chore, a creative skill-building activity, or 15 minutes of light summer reading/math prep. This keeps executive functioning skills active without feeling like punishment.

4. Deflecting the Dreaded “I’m Bored!”

By late July, toys (and possibly even electronics) have lost their novelty and suggestions from parents are often met with immediate rejection. When your child insists they have nothing to do, avoid jumping into problem-solving mode for them.

Instead, put the responsibility back onto their natural creativity with supportive phrases:

• “I have total faith in your imagination—I can’t wait to see what you come up with!”

• “Boredom is just an invitation for a new adventure. I trust your brain to find something fun.”

• “That sounds like a great opportunity to invent a new game.”

Looking Ahead

The end of summer doesn’t have to mean total chaos or rigid drill-sergeant schedules. By leaning on daily anchors, leaning into flexible family support, and giving your child ownership over their free time, you can make these final 30 days enjoyable—and set the stage for a seamless back-to-school transition.

About the Author

Carey Heller, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist and founding partner of Heller Psychology Group in Bethesda, Maryland. He specializes in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD, executive function challenges, learning disabilities, and co-occurring issues such as anxiety. Dr. Heller also does a fair amount with sports.  He blends traditional psychotherapy with practical executive function coaching to help children, teens, and adults build effective organizational, time management, and study skills. In addition to his clinical practice, he serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Clinical Psychology at The George Washington University supervising graduate students doing psychological testing and is actively involved with CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) both locally and nationally.