The one thing my son couldn't do in summer (until this changed)

# What's the One Thing You Wish You Could Do This Summer Without Crohn's Getting in the Way?

Here's the honest answer first: summer with Crohn's is genuinely hard. The heat, the unpredictable food, the long days away from your safe bathroom — it's a lot. But with the right preparation, most people with Crohn's can participate in summer life far more than they think. This isn't about pretending Crohn's isn't there. It's about building a plan around it.

My son used to go quiet in late November. Not because of the cold. Because he knew summer was coming — and with it, the invitations he'd have to quietly decline.

Beach days. Camping trips. Long road trips to see family. For a kid with Crohn's, every single one of those things required a mental risk assessment before he could say yes. And sometimes, the answer was no. Not because he didn't want to go. Because Crohn's made the decision for him.

I'm Kate. I'm a naturopath, and I'm a Crohn's mum. My son is now in deep remission. My husband — who had three surgeries in his twenties with serious complications — has been completely flare-free for over 20 years. Getting here wasn't luck. It was strategy, patience, and a lot of learning what actually helps.

Today I want to talk about summer — and how to take it back.

## Why Does Summer Feel Harder With Crohn's?

This is one of the most common questions I hear from families navigating IBD, and it deserves a real answer.

Summer creates a specific set of challenges that can quietly destabilise even well-managed Crohn's:

Heat and dehydration. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation notes that people with IBD are at higher risk of dehydration — and in summer, that risk compounds fast. Diarrhoea already depletes fluids and electrolytes. Add heat, sweating, and less consistent access to water, and you have a recipe for a flare trigger that most people don't connect to the season.

Disrupted routine. School's out, work schedules shift, meals happen at odd times. For many people with Crohn's, routine is a quiet anchor. When it disappears, the gut notices.

Food environment changes. BBQs, festivals, holiday buffets — the summer food landscape is full of high-fat, high-fibre, spicy, and fried foods that are common Crohn's triggers. Navigating this socially is exhausting, especially for younger people who just want to eat what everyone else is eating.

Stress of social exposure. There's a particular kind of anxiety that comes with being somewhere unfamiliar — new bathrooms, long stretches without facilities, crowded spaces. That anxiety itself can trigger gut symptoms. It's a cycle that's hard to break without a plan.

Key takeaway: Summer doesn't cause Crohn's to worsen — but it removes many of the structures that help keep it managed. Rebuilding those structures in a summer-friendly way is the real work.

## What Actually Helped Our Family

I want to be careful here, because every person's Crohn's is different. What worked for my son and husband may not be exactly right for you — and none of this replaces the guidance of your gastroenterologist. But here's what we learned.

1. Hydration became non-negotiable — and we made it easy.

We stopped relying on "drink more water" as a reminder and started making hydration automatic. A water bottle always within reach. Electrolyte sachets in the bag for beach days or long drives. My husband learned early that even mild dehydration would set off cramping within hours. Once we treated hydration like medication — consistent, deliberate, non-negotiable — it changed things.

2. We planned food, not restrictions.

Instead of focusing on what my son couldn't eat at a BBQ, we shifted to what we'd bring that he could eat and actually enjoy. A container of his safe foods, packed without fuss, sitting alongside everyone else's plates. No drama, no explanation required. The goal was always for him to feel included, not managed.

3. We scouted locations in advance.

This sounds small, but it was huge. Before any outing — a theme park, a beach, a family gathering at a new venue — we'd look up bathroom locations. My son knew where they were before he needed them. That knowledge alone reduced his anxiety enough to make the trip possible. According to Crohn's & Colitis UK, bathroom access anxiety is one of the most significant quality-of-life factors for people with IBD. Planning removes the unknown.

4. We gave him an exit plan — and never made him use it as a last resort.

Knowing he could leave if things got bad meant he was actually more likely to stay. We had a code word. No questions, no fuss, we'd go. He used it twice in three years. Having it was what mattered.

5. As a naturopath, I focused on gut-supportive nutrition during the summer months.

This included keeping his probiotic routine consistent (travel disrupts this easily), prioritising easy-to-digest meals on high-activity days, and making sure his vitamin D levels were checked — because while summer sun helps, people with Crohn's often have impaired absorption and may need supplementation regardless. Always check with your medical team before adding supplements.

## How to Have the Conversation With Your GI Before Summer

If you're preparing for a summer trip, event, or change in routine, this is a great time to check in with your gastroenterologist. Here are some specific things worth asking:

- "Are my current medications stable enough for travel?"

- "Do I need to adjust timing or storage of any medications in the heat?"

- "Should I get a calprotectin or CRP check before we go?"

- "Is there anything I should watch for in terms of dehydration or heat sensitivity with my current treatment?"

Your GI team wants you to live your life. They're not going to judge you for asking these questions — and a 10-minute conversation before a trip can prevent a crisis during one.

## The One Thing I Want You to Hear

My son spent years believing summer was just something that happened to other people. Kids without Crohn's. People who didn't have to think about every meal, every bathroom, every hour away from home.

He doesn't believe that anymore.

Getting to remission took time, the right medical team, and a lot of the practical work I've described above. It wasn't one thing. It was everything working together. But summer — real summer, the kind with spontaneous plans and long days and yes, even the occasional road trip — became possible again.

I want that for your family too.

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## Common Questions

Can heat trigger a Crohn's flare?

Heat itself doesn't directly cause a flare, but dehydration — which is more common in hot weather — is a known trigger for digestive symptoms in people with Crohn's. Staying consistently hydrated, especially with electrolytes, is one of the most practical things you can do in summer.

Is it safe to travel with Crohn's?

Most people with well-managed Crohn's can travel safely with the right preparation. This includes planning for medication storage, knowing bathroom locations, carrying safe foods, and checking in with your GI team before any significant trip.

What foods are safest at summer events?

Low-fibre, low-fat, easy-to-digest foods tend to be gentler during flares or high-activity days — think plain rice, well-cooked vegetables, lean protein. Bringing your own food to events removes the guesswork and the social anxiety.

Should my child with Crohn's avoid swimming?

Generally, swimming is a great low-impact activity for people with Crohn's. The main consideration is hydration and sun exposure. Always check with your child's gastroenterologist if there are active symptoms or recent changes in treatment.

This article supports, and does not replace, the care of your gastroenterology team. Always work with your medical providers before making changes to your treatment or routine.