Where is summer going? I blinked and it is almost over. Of course, in Arizona, it will feel like summer until about October…but who is counting?!?? Summertime brings a break from structure and routine and can allow for more time with family and friends. Children may get to sleep in longer, experience day camps, and give parents a bit of a break from the hustle and bustle of the Monday-Friday school routine. Did you get to take a road trip and enjoy some extra time making memories with your family? Enjoy evenings in the backyard or pool time with friends? If you are still trying to hang on to the last bit of summer, August is a perfect month to focus on family time and getting back into the school routine…it is Back to School and Family Fun Month.
Back to School: The entire month is designated for this national holiday to recognize the importance of education and helps families prepare to get back into a routine. It also promotes mental health and wellness and stresses the importance of the structure that academics provide for children across the country. While the school year start dates vary, this month is a good reminder for parents to re-establish goals for the school year, a set time for homework, dinner, and bedtime routine. Did your children stay up late during the summer? Take a week or 10 days before school starts and establish the bedtime / wake up schedule that you want during the school year. This will reset your children’s biological clock and get them ready for that early wakeup call on the first day of school.
Setting up a family calendar is a great way to see what the work/school week looks like for the entire family. Who has practice after school? Who will drop off/pick up the children when they are done with band/track/soccer/football, or the myriads of other activities they may be involved in.
Most major box stores also have great deals on school supplies and clothing. Make sure to check your children’s school supply list so that they are ready for day one! Many schools have meet the teacher nights, where you can take a tour of the school and drop off the supplies early, easing your load and lessening the chaos on that first day of school.
This is also a good opportunity to speak with your child’s teacher about any concerns or special needs that may need to be addressed during the school year. If your child has an IEP or a mental health concern that needs to be addressed, don’t wait to schedule those appointments for them. It can be challenging to navigate academics, social groups, and personal growth for young children and teenagers, and support for them is vital as they begin a new school year. Utilize the school counselor or reach out to a therapist to schedule an appointment for your child. Check out NAMI for additional resources
Family Fun Month: Another fun holiday this month celebrates the importance of quality time as a family. It serves as a reminder to make time for your loved ones before the business of the school year kicks off. Summertime can be full of experiences and memories with family and friends, vacations, camping, and late nights making smores in the backyard, but there is something special about taking a day with your children and creating more memories.
Here is a list of simple activities that you can do to foster quality time and make lasting memories:
- be a tourist in your own town. Visit a local museum or botanic garden for a fun day out.
- have a movie night in your own backyard. Bring out the popcorn, lemonade, and sleeping bags and enjoy outdoors.
- have a dinner party…this is a great opportunity for the entire family to get involved in the cooking process and teaches children a valuable life skill!
The important thing to remember about spending time together is the intentionality behind the activities. Put away the phones, the tablets, turn off the tv…and enjoy the time together. Relationships are vital for all of us, and everyone will remember the fun time you had together creating memories and strengthening your connections.
