|
|
|
|
|
The school year is almost over. Take a breath, close your eyes and relax. You did it! You got through this challenging year and you and your family showed tremendous resilience and grace.
There is no question this was a difficult school year for so many reasons, but some amazing things did happen!
|
|
|
|
You rose up to the challenge and gave it your all. We all learned some new things about ourselves that will help us as we move forward. People all over the world leaned into a tough situation to support each other. That’s something to be proud of!
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Warm weather and long sunny days free of the demands of school work can provide more opportunities for you to connect with your children as well as explore some of their emerging interests. Why not make the most of this opportunity while you appreciate what the summer season has to offer. Here are some ideas to help you and your family enjoy the next few months together.
|
|
|
|
|
Set aside some time to have fun with your children. Whether it's running through the sprinkler together or counting the stars on a blanket in the backyard do at least one thing every few days to connect and have fun. Remember, what matters is how it FEELS, not how it LOOKS. Your children don't need the perfect activity; just a loving connection with you.
|
| |
|
Get outside. Whether it‘s going for a walk, taking your family to the local park or beach, take advantage of the sunshine while you can!
Encourage your children to try something new. There's no time like the summer to dabble, experiment, and play with creativity. It could be painting, learning to play an instrument, building something with hammer and nails, writing a short story or mastering the perfect frisbee throw.
Step away from social media even if it‘s just putting your phone on airplane mode for a while. The simplest of experiences can be more pleasurable when we are fully immersed in them.
|
|
|
|
Plan some summer family memories together. Get out a calendar and schedule the things you really want to do. Ask each member of the family to choose a few activities for the whole family to do that will make their summer complete. Set parameters before you start. For example, you may want to set a budget, everything has to be free or under $20.
Below are some summer bucket list ideas!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | These days we rarely trust our kids’ ability to tolerate or even survive unfilled time. We’ve stopped seeing the value in time without a focus and the potential in the phrase "I’m bored." We’ve all but lost faith in our kids’ imaginations and the power of their creativity to generate something when they need to.
Below are a few reasons you might want to let your children have some time to "get a little bored" this summer:
|
| |
|
Boredom improves creativity. Studies have shown that people are more creative when they’re bored. This is when they start to daydream, and daydreaming sparks creative thought. When our kids have nothing to do, they exercise their imaginations and that just might be the most important skill they can develop.
|
|
|
|
Boredom makes kids more motivated. As our children grow we won’t be able to entertain them or to fill their their every moment with activities. At some point, we have to let go. That’s why kids need to learn how to motivate themselves. Letting them be bored plays a big role in learning that skill. Boredom gives children practice in making their own decisions and finding ways to be interested in what's going on around them.
|
|
|
|
Boredom makes kids more interesting. Giving our kids too much attention (not to be confused with connection) can inadvertently teach them that they’re the focus of the world and that everybody's here to serve them. Boredom offers kids the invitation to take interest in their own thoughts and feelings which helps to foster their identity independent from their parents.
|
|
|
Boredom is good for parents too. Letting your kids have a little time on their own gives you more alone time or time with your partner. Getting some me/we time is vital to to being a good parent. You don’t need to exhaust yourself trying to keep your kids entertained because if you’re not happy, your kids generally aren’t either. So put down the juggling balls and let your kids be bored for a while.
In answer to the question the headline poses, it’s not only OK to let your children be bored, it’s also good for everybody when you do!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trans Care BC helps you connect to gender-affirming health and wellness supports as close to home as
possible. Kelty Mental Health helps families across the province navigate the mental health system, listen and offer peer support, and connect them to resources and
tools. FamilySmart brings together young people, families and service providers to develop personal and professional practice that can enhance child and youth mental
health. Free and Affordable Counselling Services in Victoria BC
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We are proud of our students, staff and families for making it through a difficult school year!
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is our last Snapshot for the 2020-2021 school year. If you have topics you would like covered in the fall please let us know!
We would love to hear from you!
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
