Our lives need a balance of ritual and novelty.  Rituals are important for comfort, safety, and a sense of routine and predictability.  Novelty stimulates, invigorates and is just fun.  Aren’t we lucky summer provides the opportunity for both needs to be met? 

Teachers need the ritual aspect of yearly summers to afford them a break from the normal school routine. They also need the high doses of novelty summers provide, giving them a chance to rest, re-energize and step away from the craziness and joy of education.

Parents need the ritual and novelty aspects of summer to reconnect with their children through annual vacations and other fun activities. Too often, however, parents get so caught up in their daily work routine, they forget to purposefully carve out family time. [Then, we say, “Where did the time go? They grew up so fast!”] 

Parents, let this summer remind you of the importance of keeping balance in your lives.  Spend time with your children.  Connect, talk, play and be present.  If we really think about our priorities, it is hard to argue that anything is more important than that. 

Enjoy the summer.  Enjoy the break.  Enjoy family and friends.  All too quickly we will be back into the fall routine of school, and thus, the cycle will begin again.