DEAR HARRIETTE: As summer approaches and another school year passes, my kids are now 11 and 13 years old. I can’t believe how fast time is going; it seems that just yesterday, they were babies. With each passing year, I’m increasingly aware of how precious these moments are, and I want to make the most of the time I have with them while they’re still young. As they grow older, I know they’ll become more independent and our family dynamic may change. Therefore, I’m seeking advice on how to create meaningful bonding experiences with my children during the summer months, as I only have so many summers left when they’ll be young enough to fully enjoy these moments together. During the school year, my children are so busy with extracurriculars that I feel like I hardly ever see them. What are some creative and engaging activities or outings that we can do as a family to create lasting memories? – Making Memories DEAR MAKING MEMORIES: Research fun summer activities in your area. These can include classics like botanical gardens, museums with exhibitions tailored to children their age or outdoor adventures like ziplining, rock climbing, canoeing, etc. Many of these activities are free or low-cost. The ones with a price can be figured into your summer budget. As you go on these adventures with your children, plan with them so that they are fully invested and excited. Consider allowing them to invite friends to join some of your exploits. By all means, document what you do. Take pictures. Make postcards to send to the grandparents. Do things in the aftermath that require all of you to pause and remember the experience you just had. Put those memories into a scrapbook that you can revisit in the future.
