This Summer Myth Gives Parents “Core Memory Anxiety”
Pok Pok and Calm are partnering on a Summer Slow Down campaign to help more families be present for what matters this season.
Summer shouldn’t fill parents with dread and yet, the data suggests otherwise. Research validates what so many of us already feel, with 1 in 3 parents expecting zero anxiety-free days this summer due to pressure to entertain and schedule (Talker Research, 2025). Or that 85% of parents of children are kept awake thinking about their childcare and schedule during the summer (Bright Horizons, 2026).
There’s another number driving these stats, quietly haunting the back of parents’ minds each summer: 18. The sentiment of “you only have eighteen summers with your kids” is meant to be a sweet reminder to soak up each moment with them. However, in reality, it turns June to August into a pressure cooker where parents question if they’re doing enough to make the season memorable and meaningful for their kids—subsequently not enjoying the memories as they’re being made!
We’ve given this pressure a name: Core Memory Anxiety.
This anxiety shows up as the urge to fill every week with activities to “make the most” of these months. It’s the guilt that creeps in on a slow day, or when your social media feed is full of other families’ “epic” vacations.
If you’re wondering “am I doing enough?”, we have another question for you.
What if core memories aren’t made?
Pok Pok and Calm teamed up to take the pressure off of summer parenting by reframing “core memories”.
Core memories aren’t made, they’re found. In the golden hour drive home, the evening ice-cream runs, and the sprinkler jumps in our own yards. To us adults, it may just be another Tuesday, but to our kids? These are the moments they will smile about decades down the road.
We’re led to believe that we need to manufacture perfect summers, but that’s not actually what brings kids joy. Recent research suggests that children often experience “quality time” as ordinary, unplanned moments. We even see this in our own families when our little ones are asked about their favorite parts of a birthday or trip to Disney. If our toddler says that looking at worms on the sidewalk was a highlight, maybe it’s really okay to do less and enjoy these moments more!
Calm and Pok Pok are here to help families slow down so they can tap in. Both brands offer ways for the whole family to get regulated, spark imagination, and connect over shared curiosity. However screen time shows up for your family this summer, here are two screen choices that can help you get grounded and be present for the magic of the in-between moments.
Pok Pok, with its low-stimulation, non-addictive activities, invites kids to play at their own pace and walk away calmer when they’re done. It’s safe for them to play independently while you need a moment, or it offers a space for families to connect by chasing their curiosity together.
From guided meditations and breathing exercises, to sleep stories and gentle soundscapes, Calm offers an accessible way for the whole family to slow down. Whether you pause for mindful breathing between meetings or help your little one doze off with a bedtime tale, there’s truly something for all ages!
To kick-off our Summer Slow Down campaign, we’re excited to offer a special discount for both brands. You can redeem 25% off of Pok Pok here, and 40% off for Calm here.
Looking for even more ways to reset together beyond the screen? Dip into Calm’s list of no-pressure summer activities here.
Leave More Space
Finally, to help you along with your own Summer Slow Down, we invite you to do something that feels almost rebellious in 2026: leave more space in your calendar. It doesn’t mean you can’t approach those days with intention, but having space allows room for curiosity, spontaneity, and the kinds of moments you could never have planned.
If your “blank days” lead to new adventures, we’d love to hear about it! And if it simply led to a big family nap and cereal for dinner, we’re equally delighted.
Here’s to a summer where we actually get to enjoy the memories as they’re being made. One where we stop worrying if we’re “doing” enough, and start trusting that we are enough.
We’ve been so inspired by the unique approach of each child who plays Pok Pok, and would so appreciate hearing about your experience with the app. Receiving your feedback, videos, and ideas for new updates is how we keep making Pok Pok better for families everywhere! Please say hello at hello@playpokpok.com or on social media @playpokpok.
