Summer is often portrayed as a season of carefree fun, but for many parents, the pressure to create magical moments can turn the break into a source of stress. According to a survey of American parents commissioned by Borden Cheese, 72% of respondents feel summers used to be simpler in terms of activities and expectations. Among that group, 89% said it is important for their children to experience simple summers. The survey highlights a growing desire among parents to reclaim a relaxed pace of life during the warmer months.
Jenny Mehlman, senior director of marketing, cheese, taste and flavors at Dairy Farmers of America, which owns Borden Cheese, said, “Summer is the time for enjoying the sunshine, fresh air, endless day time and quality time with family and friends. Sometimes we get so caught up in the daily hustle, we forget to slow down and enjoy the little moments. Borden Cheese wants to help parents drop the high expectations, embrace a little bit of the mess and remember how good a simple, relaxed summer can feel.”
To help parents ease the burden, Borden Cheese is promoting three parenting hacks that survey respondents said they plan to adopt. The first hack is allowing more flexibility with children’s routines. Nearly half of respondents (45%) said they plan to ease up on rigid schedules, such as later bedtimes, slower mornings, or less structured playtime. This approach frees up time for spontaneous adventures and creativity, reminiscent of the summers many parents remember from their own childhoods.
The second hack is prioritizing fun over perfection. Instead of striving for elaborate vacations or curated calendars, 39% of parents said they plan to be more lenient with self-imposed expectations. This mindset shift allows families to focus on connection, spending less time worrying about details and more time enjoying simple pleasures like picnics, pool time, and game nights at home.
The third hack is planning simpler meals. One-third of respondents plan to make simpler meals a regular part of their menu, and 84% of parents said they rely on quick, reliable meal and snack solutions like mac and cheese, deli meat wraps, and cheese and cracker boards at least once per week during summer. Borden Cheese is supporting this trend with family-friendly recipes and easy meal hacks, such as their Juicy Lucy Cheeseburger Sliders, which offer a satisfying meal without extra work.
Borden Cheese is also hosting weekly giveaways to encourage families to embrace a stress-free summer. More information and recipes can be found at BordenCheese.com/SimpleSummerFun.
