Moms Talk about Bonding with Kids during Summertime

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

Moms Talk will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topic. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation today with a question:  With summer break coming up, how can I use it to create better bonding experiences and stay involved in my child's life?

Kim Koch: Man, oh, man, times go by so quickly. Each day blends with the next. College is the next turn. I try and remember the last time I heard that gruffy man-child voice in my ears, for something other than, "Where are my shoes?" or "Did you buy soap?" You know one day you have to let go, but it's not today.

Summer break is right around the corner, I look at my agenda, and my brain smokes. How can I still be involved without being clingy? Where will we fit quality time together in?

This summer, we will be walking schools together. We have checked a few out locally, but this summer has us expanding out, so he can see what is out there. I love the idea of him staying local, knowing I can just go up the road and visit, but I don't want to clip his wings back that far. We want to make sure he can see there is a way to get an education and freedom to grow away from the nest.

We have been mapping out the journey, looking for free and affordable experiences as we wander from one school to another. Each local has a state park or cave that defies gravity. Working together mapping this out is great.

A Six Flags season pass. The time we spend together waiting on the rides is time well spent. Go outside the park, enjoy a lunch that we both put together and go in for more fun.

Enjoying lunch in the yard, just laying on a blanket and watching the clouds go by, opens up conversations. Time together while walking the dog. My bedroom is always open for a drop-by with a good book. I love the peacefulness of the quiet it brings, then the open dialogue it creates, especially so, when the sun starts to set and the last golden light of the day warms our talks.

Jan Katz-Kellogg: This summer, my teenage son will be practicing football every morning, playing tournament baseball, going to England for a week, then a church retreat in Panama City Beach.  I am going to have to be very creative to make sure we get time together at all, much less good quality bonding time.

Summer vacations are much shorter than they used to be, yet, they get more vacation days through the year.  That fact takes a little of the pressure off to fit all special activities in over the summer. Instead, I’ve begun looking at how to make the most of the little time we have together over the summer and plan short (one to two day) mini-vacations throughout the year. To take advantage of the rare time we’ll spend together this summer, I have come up with the following:

• Get a membership at the YMCA in West Cobb. The cost is minimal for everything it offers. This super high tech facility provides free weights, weight training and personal trainers for free to its members, offers great exercise and Zumba classes and has a huge pool for free swimming or classes. Since it’s open seven days a week, we can go at a moment's notice and enjoy exercising together.  www.ymcapass.com
• Trivia Nights – Many restaurants and even fast food chains like Dairy Queen have weekly trivia nights. It’s a fun way to get out, eat and be entertained at the same time.
• Day Trip Ideas:

1)      Go to Helen for a day, “tube the Hooch,” tourist shop and eat at one of the Bavarian restaurants. www.helengeorgia.com

2)      Drive up to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. Only four hours from Marietta, the drive is beautiful through the Smokey Mountains. The aquarium, dinner and comedy shows, arcades, sky lift, theme parks and shopping make for a very busy day.  Motels there are inexpensive ($35 - $50)  which makes it easy to stay another day if you want. www.smokymtnchamber.com/visitorsguide.html

3)      White Water – If you plan to go more than once, get a season ticket. You will make up the cost in two visits and have the rest of the summer free of charge to enjoy. sixflags.com/

4)      Georgia State Parks – Plan a hiking or overnight camping trip at one of the many beautiful parks in our state. www.gastateparks.org

5)      Take pictures wherever you go and create a travel album. Later on you will have precious memories of the different places you’ve been recorded. I like to photograph my son at the same spot in places we’ve visited more than once. It’s interesting to see how much he’s grown since the last picture.

I also think it’s important to have “down time” over the summer. I remember spending some summers so busy I was exhausted, not rested, when it was over.  Fire up the grill and cook out at home. Spend a Saturday morning playing video games with your child. Have a big “pancake breakfast” once a week. Rent movies, make popcorn and let your child stay up late to watch them. In short, try to do things you don’t normally have time for or don’t allow during the school year. This makes the little things you do feel special.