What’s a Brat Summer—and Should Parents Encourage It?

As parents, it seems there’s always a new trend out there, and figuring out what these are and whether they pose a risk to our kids is a real challenge. Whether it’s the latest TikTok fad or a world-sweeping viral meme, knowing what our children are being exposed to—and influenced by—is one of our most important tasks.

Have you been hearing the term “brat summer” bandied about recently? Are you concerned about whether it poses a risk to your child? Keep reading for everything you need to know, including the brat summer meaning, what to be mindful of, and even how to use the concept as an opportunity for some positive parenting.

Contents:

• What is “Brat”?
• What is Brat Summer?
• Why Encouraging a Brat Summer Can Be Risky
• How to Use “Brat Summer” as a Positive Parenting Opportunity
• FAQs

What is “Brat”?

Charli XCX’s BRAT Album Cob. Graphic by Sylvia Lopez. Credit: thegauntlet.ca

The word “brat” means, traditionally, an unruly, badly behaved, spoiled, and selfish child who expects to get everything they want. Brats usually act in a defiant and rude manner. The term dates back centuries, and is likely linked to the Old English term “bratt” which means “a cloak of coarse cloth.”

Today, “brat” is used in modern slang as a compliment, describing a person (usually a teenage girl or a woman) who behaves confidently, unapologetically, and playfully and enjoys a bold, fun, and carefree lifestyle. Whereas the previous definition of the word related to children, the word can now be applied to people of all ages.

The singer Charli XCX played a major role in the “brat” rebrand. Her recent album (titled “Brat”), talks about a brat as someone who may be a little volatile but is authentic, honest, and parties through her troubles. The word has moved so far from its original dictionary definition that former presidential candidate Kamal Harris gave her website a “brat” rebrand in a bid to attract younger voters to her cause.

What is Brat Summer?

@balans333 this or nothing🤷🏻‍♀️ #pinterest #pinterestaesthetic #bratsummer #charliexcx #moodboard #moodboardaesthetic #aesthetic #fyp #foryoupage #goviral #summer #summervibes #summermoodboard #coolgirl #outiftinspo ♬ 365 – Charli xcx

Now we’ve had a look at what makes someone, in modern slang, a brat, it’s time to talk about the term “brat summer.” It’s helpful to think of the concept as an aesthetic one, that encapsulates a moment in time. A brat summer involves living authentically, a little messily and rebelliously, and having lots of fun. It can also involve embracing things traditionally seen as “bad” such as unbrushed hair, sometimes (according to Charli XCX herself) saying “stupid” things, and no longer subscribing to societal norms or ideas of feminine perfection.

What is brat summer? It’s an attitude to life, about partying, and not being concerned with what others think. It can also be used to describe something, such as a style or an attitude. For example, you may overhear your child saying “That outfit is so brat” — which is always a compliment.

While the idea may be super fun and likely to appeal to kids, there are risks associated with encouraging it, and we’re going to discuss these now.

Why Encouraging a Brat Summer Can Be Risky

While encouraging a brat summer may seem harmless—allowing your kids some warm-weather freedom to have fun with friends, and ditch the restraints of school and term-time routine—it’s crucial to understand the risks of doing so. For example, a brat summer is all about rebellious fun, and there’s a high chance that this could cause conflict with parental expectations, or even compromise your kid’s safety. After all, it’s still important that children and younger teens understand that they need to be home at a certain time, check in with you throughout the day, and continue to perform certain daily tasks (such as teeth brushing), even if you let the hair styling slide.

While the summer holidays are a great opportunity for the whole family to relax, encouraging lax discipline could cause major problems, especially when vacation time ends. Children may find it difficult to return to their regular school routines if they’ve become used to behaving without boundaries.

Values like respect and appreciation may be an early casualty of a brat summer, with a desire for instant gratification taking over. It can be easy for the trend to tip over into a sense of entitlement, something likely to cause conflict both within and outside the family. Keeping this in check, and explaining (and modeling) to your child the difference between empowerment and entitlement is key.

Findmykids app

For parents looking to embrace the fun of a brat summer while ensuring their child’s safety, the Findmykids app is a fantastic solution. It lets you track your child’s location in real time, ensuring they’re safe even when they’re out exploring with friends. Plus, with features like notifications and the ability to check in via call or chat, you can maintain peace of mind while giving your kids a sense of independence.

Download the Findmykids app today to stay connected with your kids all year round—because every adventure, no matter the season, should come with peace of mind.

How to Use “Brat Summer” as a Positive Parenting Opportunity

As a parent, ignoring trends that our kids are all too aware of comes with its own risks. Pretending that the brat summer fad doesn’t exist won’t make it go away—but the good news is that we can use elements of the concept as an opportunity for some positive parenting.

As with so much in parenting, regular and open communication is key. Chatting with kids about the brat summer trend is a great way to find out what your kids understand about the term (and wider concept) and what they find appealing about it. This could lead to a productive discussion about how your kids feel regarding current boundaries and household rules, and where these could be tweaked to help foster a little more independence. You may be surprised at just how sensible some of their suggestions are!

Donkeyworx/Shutterstock.com

The term can also be a great means of beginning an ongoing discussion about self-advocacy. Being a “brat” can, at its heart, involve subverting expectations of what it means to be a “good” girl, and rejecting the idea that women shouldn’t be outspoken or challenge the status quo. For many, the idea of a brat summer was a direct response to the previous year’s Barbie trend. As such, it’s about endorsing a different, less polished, more authentic version of femininity. While these are pretty deep concepts, integrating the idea that girls and women should resist the urge to people-please and, instead, walk their own unique path, into your parenting is a great idea.

You could also discuss with your child how to incorporate some aspects of a brat summer into the school vacations—without going the whole hog and allowing them to run wild. For example, how about relaxing TV rules for a weekend and having a family movie bonanza, arranging a backyard camping sleepover for your child and a few of their friends, or helping them embrace their creative side with some outdoor chalk painting, garden dance party, or den building?

For older kids who are maybe more aware of Charli XCX, it’s also worth reminding them (if necessary!) that the singer herself said that having a “brat summer” should always involve showing love, support, and solidarity.

Preparing for a Great—and Child-Friendy—Brat Summer

For parents, understanding exactly what’s meant by the modern slang terms “brat” and “brat summer” is important—because it’s almost certain that your kids have heard of them, and may be influenced by them. While elements of the concepts may cause alarm, it’s totally possible to embrace some of their tenets to help your child relax over the summer, build some independence, and express themselves. And you never know, you may even decide to release your inner “brat” yourself during the vacation!

What do you understand by the terms “brat” and “brat summer”—and what are your children’s views on the trend? We’d love to hear your take on the fad; drop us a line in the comments box below to share your experiences!

FAQs

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What is a brat girl’s summer?

A brat girl summer is all about relaxing, letting loose, and embracing a fun, messy, bold, and rebellious lifestyle. A brat summer involves accepting—even celebrating—our imperfections, and living authentically in a way that pleases ourself, rather than worrying about what others think.

What is the brat summer trend?

The brat summer trend, largely embodied by singer Charli XCX’s album “Brat,” involves letting loose and confidently enjoying the summer, without feeling the need to conform to societal norms and expectations. It’s about a relaxed, even occasionally chaotic, lifestyle, and is an aesthetic trend, too. Casual, edgy, and un-put-together styles are hallmarks of the look.

What is a brat in popular culture?

While, traditionally, the word “brat” typically signified a spoilt, disobedient, and unruly child who is difficult to deal with, it means something very different in today’s modern slang. The term “brat” is now a compliment, used to describe a person (especially a teenage girl or a woman) who is confident, playful, rebellious, bold, carefree, unafraid of living messily and authentically, and who embraces her perceived imperfections and flaws.

How to have a brat summer?

At its heart, a brat summer is a hedonistic one. It involves living freely, and confidently, having fun, expressing oneself honestly and boldly, and shrugging off societal norms and expectations.

Is “brat” a bad word?

The word “brat” was traditionally a negative one, used to denote a selfish, spoiled, badly behaved, and unruly child. Today it’s actually used in modern slang as a compliment, describing someone who is empowered to follow their own path, express themselves fully, live playfully, and isn’t afraid to make mistakes or, in the words of singer Charli XCX say “stupid things.

Cover image: Donkeyworx/Shutterstock.com