Calming the Young and the Restless

Rest is not idleness, and to lie down in the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.~~ John Lubbock

Remember the old adage, "All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy"? Well, as your "Jack" or "Jill" powers through the assigned reading lists and math drills this summer, help develop a new skill - relaxation. I know -- we think children today, particularly teens, have this skill down pat. However, if you take a closer look, you may find that a lot of their downtime isn't really self-directed. Instead, our children have become increasingly dependent on entertainment driven by outside sources such as media entertainment, electronic games, social networks, friend's agendas, etc. Now is a good time to help your child discover what truly brings him peace, a sense of fun, and enjoyment for his soul in ways that don't require grand plans or large sums of money.

Here's how you can help:

--Relax some of your limits like bedtime, curfews, screen time, allowing a little extra time here and there as seems practical.

--Help your child reduce dependency on passive entertainment in favor of quiet time or "alone" time which encourages reflection and contemplation. Encourage him to keep a journal.

--Increase opportunities for your child to be physically active for exercise, fitness, and recreation. Activities might include sports, yoga, cycling, etc.

--Cultivate an appreciation for the arts and music. She could use this time to learn to create art or to play a musical instrument, attend concerts/performances, or merely listen to different genres of music.

--Encourage your child to read for enjoyment and enlightenment, allowing him to expand his imagination and increase his knowledge base. Perhaps, he can tackle an epic novel or two aside from his assigned reading.

--Allow time for your child to maintain social connections with friends she particularly enjoys spending time with. Expose her to new settings where she will encounter new people and broaden her sense of the world.

--Plan family gatherings that enable your child to connect with relatives he may not get to see throughout the year. Of course, it is also critical that family members in your home spend quality time together to reinforce your connections before things get hectic again.

We live in a dynamic world. By and large, change is good -- it keeps us adults on our toes. Sometimes, though change comes so fast and furious and new information seems to flow faster than the speed of light. Life for our children is no different. As we strive to keep their minds sharp this summer, let's remember that they need to anchor their spirits as well.

~Carol~