Stop Managing Everything: How to Build a Summer Routine Kids Actually Follow (with Nicole Gambino)

Nicole Gambino is back — and if her last episode on raising responsible kids resonated, this one's the summer-specific follow-through. The problem isn't your kid. It's that executive functioning (initiating, following through, self-regulating) is treated as something kids should already have, instead of a skill that has to be explicitly taught. Nicole walks through the system: realistic expectations, a 5-minute weekly "huddle," anchoring chores to transitions instead of vague to-dos, and letting kids co-author their own responsibilities so the routine actually survives past week one. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why "just remind them" isn't a routine — it's you doing the executive functioning for your kid The difference between a chore that sticks and one that never gets done How to run a 5-minute "Sunday huddle" that gets kids to state their own responsibilities out loud Age-appropriate chores and transition points, starting as young as 5 Why letting your child write their own chore list creates more follow-through than any parent-enforced system How to handle the summer schedule gap (camp days vs. non-camp days) without losing momentum ABOUT THE GUEST: NICOLE GAMBINO IS A PARENTING EXPERT WITH 17 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE HELPING FAMILIES CREATE STRUCTURE, INDEPENDENCE, AND CONFIDENCE AT HOME. SHE HAS DEVELOPED A SYSTEM OF RITUALS AND GUARDRAILS DESIGNED TO SHIFT RESPONSIBILITY OFF OF PARENTS AND ONTO CHILDREN—EMPOWERING KIDS TO BECOME MORE CAPABLE WHILE EASING THE MENTAL LOAD ON MOMS. Key Insight: Nicole’s approach flips a common parenting pattern: instead of moms holding everything together, children are given the structure and responsibility to step up—creating a more balanced, sustainable family dynamic. Links + Resources: Follow Nicole:   / nicole.hurleygambino   Learn more about her work: http://NicoleGambino.com Follow ThatMom:   / thatmomco   Join the email list: https://thatmom.kit.com/intentionalmom Maria's Style Pick: One thing helping me simplify life as a working mom? Renting instead of buying. This episode's outfit is from Rent the Runway. https://www.renttherunway.com/shares/... If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who has been carrying too much for too long. And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, happiness, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.