School’s out and summertime fun

School’s out in a lot of areas, or soon will be. Exciting time for the kiddos but keeping them busy is a parent’s struggle. Boy do I remember that special moment when I was still in school (yes, a half a century ago…so it seems) and the bell rang signaling we were out for the summer season. The excitement was palpable, you could almost touch it. And summer seemed to stretch on forever, full of plans to hang out with friends, go on outings with your family or just to while the summer days away in a back yard hammock. Gaming systems were a thing but they were not as immersive as the games are today. And with the prevalence of smart phones, pulling your kiddo’s attention away from the screen might seem like a struggle. I felt the pain with my teens for sure, but in the 2020’s the age for smart phone ownership gets younger and younger. One thing is certain though, we all have got to go touch grass. It is as important as breathing. Somehow we must make sure our kids (and ourselves) disconnect from the screens a moment and reconnect with the physical world. Kick a ball around the back yard. Throw down a blanket for an impromptu picnic. Go on a bug hunt! Whatever it is that strikes your fancy, make sure you get out there with your kids and breathe in some nature this summer. Go touch grass!