Macaroni Kid Livingston recognizes the needs of parents and youth in our area. The well-being of our kids and the understanding of mental health is so important in bringing balance to families. With this in mind we are partnering with Christine Simon from Honest Growth LLC to bring you parenting advice, guidance and some tips and tricks to get you through.
As I sit here typing this article, I am faced with boxes filled with items my youngest child is organizing for her apartment for the first year of college. I remember all the years prior when the end of summer was upon us and we were faced with the beginning of a new school year. There were always mixed emotions, well, at least for me.
In these moments we tend to reflect back on our summer and wonder, did we do it all? Did we do enough? Were memories made?
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Summer was a time when I was able to spend time taking my kids on vacations, exploring new places, and enjoying outdoor water fun. I loved every moment of it, yet I was excited for my kids to begin a new year of school and another season of sports. Heading back to school and sports can at times be stressful for both parents/guardians and child(ren). I know it was for me.
While we cannot completely eliminate the stress of going back to school, how our summer ends can lessen the anxiety of fall starting and the goodbye to summer.
Before the beginning of the school year we always had a few end of summer traditions. One of them was traveling to Tunnel Park in Holland. We’d leave early in the morning, play at the beach all day until sunset, wash up and head into town for a delicious dinner. After dinner we shopped at the candy store, grabbed a coffee and headed home. With this being a long standing tradition we make sure to fit it in. Our summer does not officially end until this visit!
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The other tradition was our “Last Supper.” We’d enjoy a fabulous home cooked meal, sit around the table and enjoy those last few moments together. A meal is so much more than the food. It is the conversation and togetherness that helps us to say, "We are ready to move into fall."
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I believe these traditions helped to transition my kids into the next new season of their lives.
What will you do to help your child(ren) adjust to the new school year?
Macaroni KID Livingston does an amazing job of keeping parents informed about fantastic places to visit and local activities.
But remember, traditions do not have to be attending events or traveling to a destination. It is about the moment shared that will be looked forward to for summers to come.
I’d like to list a few ideas and would love to hear from you about traditions you may have or are willing to try this year.
- Go on a picnic
- Take your children to their favorite park
- Spend the day at a zoo
- Read a short novel together or picture books
- Make predictions about the school year and put them in a box to open on the last day of school
- Go camping or put a tent up in the yard and sit by the campfire
- Create a special day that is all about your child’s favorite things
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Whatever tradition you choose to do with your kids, be sure to take in every moment. Time goes by so quickly and before you know it you will be sitting and looking at your child’s moving boxes and the most important part is to make it a tradition. Something you can look forward to every year and enjoy together.
For more about Christine, or to contact her to work with your child go to her website : HONEST GROWTH, LLC
