Basic HTML Version
summer
2012
maskmatters.org
45
S
ummer break is finally here, filling our days with
warm, gentle breezes and sun-kissed skies. We’ll
sleep in late and splash around in the pool; and
barbecue and take long, leisurely bike rides. With
summertime comes a slower pace, giving kids and parents
a much needed break from the pressures of after-school
activities, sports and piles of homework that weigh on them
throughout the frenzied school year.
But this much-needed break is more beneficial than you
may think.The very act of “stopping to smell the roses” can
play a significant role in not only reconnecting with yourself,
but also with your family and children.
Embark on a Family advEnturE
Summertime is the perfect time of year for parents
and kids to relax and reconnect. Taking vacations gets
people out of their rut, provides a change of scenery and
physically removes them from work and home commitments.
According to a study published in the 2009 “Annals of
Tourism Research” journal, family vacations create a “shared
experience” that builds memories and enduring connections
among parents and kids.
Active vacations involving new challenges tend to foster
a stronger feeling of togetherness and a sense of adventure.
For older school-age kids, hiking up a mountain, snorkeling
in the ocean or ziplining through a forest creates a greater
connection among family members than simply lying on the
beach all day. Bonding can take place even before leaving
home by involving every member of the family in the
vacation planning.
SharE EvEryday activitiES
While luxurious far-away vacations can be fun and
exciting, parents don’t have to spend money or travel long
distances to connect with their children. Simple, everyday
activities offer countless opportunities to spend quality time
together, from reading a book or taking a walk together to
playing board games or cards. Snuggling on the couch and
watching a suspenseful movie together can also create a
stronger family bond.
“There is nothing you can do to restore your relationship
more than just creating a time and a space that’s a nag-free
zone and where you take almost an instant vacation with
your child,” says Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, adolescent medicine
specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and
author of “Letting Go with Love and Confidence: Raising
Responsible, Resilient, Self-Sufficient Teens in the 21st
Century.”
“And those instant vacations don’t have to be trips,” he
continues. “They literally can just be a space where you just
enjoy each other, where you just play with your child and
listen to your child.”
Join kidS in unStructurEd Play
The primary way kids communicate is through play,
which offers the ideal opportunity for family bonding. For
most parents, playing with their kids is usually at the bottom
of the priority list, right after grocery shopping, preparing
dinner, doing laundry and running a long list of errands.
The simple act of playing with them contributes to their
mental, social and emotional well-being, says Ginsburg, who
authored the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) report
on the importance of play.
“Play is the way kids build their natural resilience. You
try on different hats—you’re a monster, you’re a superhero—
and you learn how to navigate your world,” says Ginsburg,
who emphasizes the importance of allowing kids to direct
the play, not the adults. “Play is central to childhood and
essential to healthy development.”
“When you’re talking
about building resilience
in kids, meaning making
it so that kids can
overcome challenges and
thrive, there is absolutely
nothing more important
than a loving, reliable
connection with parents.”
Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, adolescent
medicine specialist
reboot & reconnect
✪
{
DID YOU KNOW?
}
Children in families that practice religious activities together are more likely to report seeing expressions of love
and affection between parents.
44
maskmatters.org
summer
2012
Recharging
the Family
Connection
Welcome the lazy days of
summer and rediscover
the power of family
story // Angela Ambrose