Summer Life Hacks for Moms of Teens in Southern Utah

Summer with teenagers in Southern Utah is no breezy vacation. Between the heat and the major attitudes, moms need a few new ideas. Here are 5 tried-and-true life hacks to survive (and maybe even enjoy) summer with your teens.

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1. Beat the Heat with “Reverse Mornings”
Flip your routine! Schedule outdoor activities before 10 a.m., then let the house go full vampire mode during peak heat. Close blinds, crank the fans, and embrace the indoor chill. The older my teens got, the later we had to start. so now we just say you must be up with your chores done before lunchtime and then we will watch a movie together.

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2. Chores for Wi-Fi
This is the oldest trick in the digital playbook—no chores, no Wi-Fi password. Create a rotating chore chart with simple daily tasks (dishes, laundry, vacuuming). Bonus: offer screen-time bonuses for extra work. We also give bonus electronics time for all extra reading time. Minute for minute.

We also give bonus electronics time for all extra reading time. Minute for minute.

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3. Cool Activities That Don’t Cost a Fortune
St. George has awesome spots like Sand Hollow for swimming and paddle boarding. Hit the St. George Rec Center for $5 pool days or plan early hikes at Snow Canyon. If you are in Cedar City, head to Frontier Homestead State Park. Think hands-on exhibits, pioneer gear, and even blacksmithing demos. For indoor fun (or to escape an afternoon thunderstorm), check out Cedar Fun Center. They’ve got bowling, laser tag, mini golf, and $5 movie nights that won’t wreck your budget. Add iced drinks, SPF 50, and a backup phone charger—instant win.

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4. Set a Weekly “Freedom Day”
Let them plan one day each week with total freedom (within reason). They’ll feel trusted, and you’ll get a break from planning. With older teens I try not to plan too much, not even daily, unless they are getting ornery or lazy.

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5. Create a Summer Points System
Turn chores, kindness, and good attitudes into points. Redeem for things they actually care about—Dutch Bros runs, new phone case, or a later curfew. This works with a couple of my kids, and not at all with the other. Just use what works with your family.
With a few clever hacks, summer survival in Southern Utah can turn into summer success.

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