Hello Parents,

Over the past few weeks we have talked a lot about how to keep your child learning over the summer and to maintain the momentum the have gathered during the past year. Why don’t we talk about the importance of building memories and family connections …

Do you have summer memories from your childhood that you will remember forever?....These are much more important than you may think.

The reason those memories are burned into your mind and heart is they are experienced at a high emotional level. These deep emotional connections are so important for the development of a child. To better understand and appreciate what a deep emotional connection and experience is just think of anything that makes you ball yours eyes out crying, or makes you roll on the ground in a big belly laugh you cannot stop. You want your child's life to be rich and full of these. Our most powerful memories are all seated with a strong emotion attached to it.

Many believe that in today's fast paced and technologically driven world, kids are missing out on this. Too much "screen time". These screens cannot give children the rich emotional experiences they need. But more alarming is they cannot give them the personal one-one "human" connection with others. They say that the real reason being with other is a human need is because sharing events with others is the "ultimate magnifier of the human experience". “Being mentally present, and available” for our children is equally important.

So what can you do? ....Here are a few suggestions:

Limit Screen Time:

Make it intentional and controlled. Not just for your children but for us too. Enough said!

Quality over Quantity:

Intentionally spend time with your kids and… BE FULLY PRESENT IN EVERY MOMENT. (Put away the devices). Allow the best version of yourself to be present. Just ask yourself this …What does the best version of me look like for my children, and how do I show up in that moment?

Here is the good news. You do not need to spend a ton of time with them but make your primary objective to spend quality time with them. Get creative and do new things. Go to places you have never gone before. You should go to one place as a family or personally you have never been to every year. Meet new people. Get a little crazy. Have your kids involved in researching and finding things to do. Make it a family decision.

Make Memories and Magic Moments:

Make life long memories! Here’s the best part….it does not have to be elaborate or expensive. It can be as simple as catching fireflies in a field or running through puddles during a warm rainstorm. A camping or fishing trip always make memories. Traveling is another great one and you do not have to travel far.

Maybe research Ontario or Quebec and find things you never thought of doing in our own backyard. In our family traveling has always been at the top of our list. Interestingly, our fondest memories have been around things going wrong. It is the most amazing feeling when something big goes wrong, then all you do is laugh and solve it! Family vacations are full of happy misadventures. Some seem big at the tie but when looking back are some of the best memories of all.

Make a New Family Tradition: Remember the word "culture". This is your family identity, who you are as a family. A common one is an annual camping trip or family reunion. Creating a family tradition or that special place you visit every summer. But anything you do on a regular basis will work.

I reward my son with our annual Father Son fishing trip. Every year we spend a week away together fishing (we love fishing and the wilderness) in a remote camp in Northern Ontario or Quebec if, of course, his progress in school and his character must merit it. CHARACTER MATTERS!! Then of course there is the annual family vacation…..W always try to visit someplace we have never been or seen before.

So, get your kids involved and make some life long memories this summer!

Summer is short . . . their childhood is even shorter!

Have an amazing vacation!

Sensei

Keiko Karate – “Actually we do make Ninjas and Superheroes here……………we turn kids into Ninjas and we turn their parents into their superheroes!”