A Simple Guide to the Summer Heatwave

A Southern Mom’s Survival Guide for a July Heatwave That Made it Hard to Breathe

July rolled in loud, bright, and blazing. The kind of heat that makes the pavement shimmer and your clothes stick before breakfast. You open the door and instantly regret your choices. Shade offers no relief. Fans just blow around hot air. The kids are bored. You’re tired. Everyone’s sweaty. Even the popsicles are giving up. This heatwave isn’t for the faint hearted.

When it’s this hot, the rules change. Schedules shift. You do what you have to do. And sometimes, that means letting go of the ideal and leaning all the way into survival mode. Last week, I gave the kids popsicles for dinner. They cheered. I sat on the floor with an iced towel around my neck and called it a win.

These are our July heatwave rules. No judgment here. Just cold snacks and love:

1. 🍉 If it’s cold, it’s dinner

Frozen fruit. Cheese cubes. Chicken Salad. Watermelon. Popsicles. If it came from the fridge, it counts. Bonus points for anything on a stick.

2. 🍹Fancy Drinks For No Reason

Lemonade in a wine glass? Yes. Juice boxes with straws AND umbrellas? Always. It’s the little things.

3. 🧃 Freeze Capri Suns into Slushies

Just snip the top, squeeze the pouch, and call it gourmet. Bonus: it buys you 10 whole minutes of quiet.

4. 🩴 Play “The Ground Is Lava” (Because It Is)

Only jump on towels. Or flip-flops. Or imagination. It’s not pretend… blacktop really is lava in July.

5. 📺 Declare a Midday Movie/TV Hour

The TV is on. The house is quiet. Nobody’s melting. That’s a win in July. Rent a new movie or “Bluey” for the save.

6. 🧊 Cool Washcloths in the fridge

Keep a stack ready. Drape them over sweaty necks. Feels like a spa. Sort of

7. 🎧 Noise-Canceling Headphones

Not a cooling hack, but definitely necessary. When everyone’s hot and cranky, silence becomes self-care.

8. 🧴 Sunscreen Lives on the Counter

We’ve stopped putting it away. It sits beside the napkins. It’s easier that way, and nobody burns. Call it convenience.

9. 🎨 Paint with Ice Cubes

Freeze water mixed with food coloring in a muffin tin. Let them “paint” the driveway. It’s art. It’s science. It’s melting fast.

10. 🌬️ Have a Fan-Facing Popsicle Eating Contest

Turn it into a game. See who can eat theirs the slowest without it melting all over their shirt.

This heatwave won’t last forever. One day I’ll miss wet footprints on the floor and popsicle sticks stuck to everything. But right now? I miss air conditioning that actually works and dinner that doesn’t melt. Hang in there, mama. You’re doing better than you think.

yours truly,

katie