Greetings!
As this summer continues and you, hopefully, are taking a vacation, it's a wonderful time to think about ways to make sure you are going to be FREE from work and the demands of your daily life so that you can really be present with your family. This time of year lends itself to relaxation, long lazy days and more opportunity to spend time outside, doing something you enjoy and spending more time with family and friends. Take a look below to learn about ways to relax, re-connect and rejoice.
Have a wonderful July.
Marie
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 SHALL WE DANCE?
Reconnecting as a couple takes time, energy and creativity - it's your own special dance that you make. However, the school year is often filled with many child-centered activities, demands and worries, that can interfere with staying connected to your spouse. Do you want to create your original
dance, again, or create a new one that's even better? Even if you don't have kids, the summer can be a quieter time at work and a good time to focus on your relationship. Plan some dates, take weekly walks together, plan a weekend away, share an activity you enjoyed before children and/or in the earlier years of your relationship. Remember, your couple relationship is a model to your children and others about how to be in a relationship. Nurturing your own is VITAL to helping children develop healthy, secure relationships AND in making sure you can weather the stresses of raising children. Look for an upcoming "Hold Me Tight" couples relationship education and enhancement group that I'll be offering in the fall. To learn more about Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and the underlying approach to "Hold Me Tight", readthis article on my blog.
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 What does it mean to be content and happy? Is it possible to feel that sense? Happiness, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary is "a state of well-being and contentment". How often have you felt "content" lately? Do you notice when you have the feeling of contentment or happiness? Most of us are so busy that we often aren't paying enough attention to NOTICE that state of being. Vacation is a time that can provide the chance to experience some quiet, contemplative time - time for yourself to just "be" - it'll go a long way to feeling more centered and energetic.
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 Summer can often be a time that challenges parents more because of the change of routines, lack of structure (depending on if kids are in camp or not), and worries about teenagers, in particular, if they're not employed and busy. Here are some ideas about making "summer parenting" work better:
1) Remember, the kids need some down-time - after a long, challenging school year that might have been filled with "drama", academic stress and juggling multiple demands of school, sports, friendships, etc., allow for at least a few days before entering camps or other activities so that they can just "be" and not have too much structure.
2) Plan activities that you may not typically do during the school year - museums, aquariums, concerts, hikes, camping, hanging around the house, playing games.
3) For teens, have them do volunteer work, counselor-in-training or help them get a job.
4) Plan a "staycation" - a vacation where you stay at home and do local things with your family.
5) Create a list of chores that are in addition to regular school-year chores that will occupy them and provide some routine and also help you out, especially if you are still working full-time.
6) Try to carve out some special time with each child that really focuses on THEIR interests and gives them undivided attention - you'll appreciate them more and they'll love it, too!
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Parenting Resources:
PEP: www.
Support Groups
NAMI:
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