MARKING THE TRANSITIONDear Usdan community, School ends, and summer begins. This year, these two experiences may easily blend together for our children, and the chance to celebrate a year of hard work could be lost. Dr. Robin Goodman, a child psychologist and art therapist, gave Usdan parents terrific advice on marking transitions when she hosted a webinar on June 2: “Looking Ahead to Summer: Helping Campers and Parents Cope.” Today, I’m sharing one specific piece of her advice. I tried it. It was easy to do, and well worth it. Mark the transition from the end of the school year to the start of summer. If it is not too late, you can do it on the day school ends. If school has already finished, figure out a time to creatively do it this week. My husband and I had a quick brainstorm, and last Tuesday as my children finished their school’s closing assembly, we banged pots and pans and gave them big hugs. Each child received a summer fun present and a homemade card. For dinner, we finally said yes to take out. We got extra lucky because that night their school hosted a live broadcast of graduation, a ritual which marks the end of the year, but which this year fully expressed the challenges all young people have faced these past three months. No matter what happens with the next school year, I plan to keep the card writing a tradition. I wish I had thought of this sooner. Writing the end of year card gave my husband and me time to reflect on how proud we are of our children and what they are uniquely doing well at this moment in their lives. The smiles, thanks, and hugs from the kids made me realize that we did what was just right for our family. I am curious to hear what your family is doing or will do. Please share. If, like me, you long for more advice on how to be a good parent to creative kids this summer, I invite you to join “Creating a Meaningful and Memorable Summer 2020,” another webinar with child psychologist and art therapist Dr. Robin Goodman on Thursday, June 25. I welcome you to register by clicking the button below. Creating a Meaningful and Memorable Summer 2020 Lauren Brandt Schloss, Executive Director Cards my husband and I made for our children. |