Things We Shouldn't Be Teaching Our Child This Back To School Season

 

                We teach our children so much by our words and actions. We also teach them a lot of things that are shaped by our thoughts intentional or not. So here are some less than optimal things you may be teaching your child without always realizing it. As we gear up for back-to-school time it’s important to have some of these on your radar.

Don’t be different

                We would never say this to our child of course, but sometimes our actions speak louder than words. This especially comes out during back-to-school shopping. How much time and money do we invest helping our child be like every one else. How many times do we cave to our child’s demands because it’s easier and they are whining that “everyone else has one” or “because everyone is doing it.” It is a delicate balance. We do not want our child to always be an outsider looking in, but we also do not want our child to do or want something simply because it’s popular. When your child brings up the point that “everyone else has one” or “is doing it” take time to talk this through. Find out if your child really likes this new trend or if they are worried about feeling left out. Encourage self-expression, style, and interests because it is an important part of your child’s growing identity. And above all make sure to help your child learn to make their own good choices regardless of whether it is popular or not.

Just follow the rules

                Another delicate balance. Society needs rules and people who will follow them. And our entire modern school system is largely built upon and meant to encourage rule following. Far too often as parents or adults in general we default to the adage “because I said so.” Why - because in the heat of the moment we literally can’t sometimes and just need our child to do as their told. This cannot be our default, however. No rule should go unquestioned. Our children need to look for ways to discern a “good rule” from a not, and those unjust rules should be challenged, even if it’s a rule that we made for them.

Childhood is your time for fun

                Of all the harmful things we could teach our children, this probably seems like an odd choice. Like all things in life, a delicate balance is needed. It can be just as detrimental to overemphasize a child’s need for a carefree like just as it can be bad to encourage your child to take things to seriously. Pushing for a carefree life underestimates the healthy need for our child to begin taking some responsibility and accountability for themselves. It is easy for us to want to give our children the most carefree summer possible because you only get to be a child once. But there are life skills your child will need to make a way in the world in which we live. Chores should not be burdensome, but they are a part of a learning, growing, and healthy childhood. The same goes for the other end of the spectrum. School matters and it matters a lot; however, we are a generation who is struggling with work life balance. School isn’t mean to be the most important thing in a child’s life and our overemphasis on that can lead to our child not learning how to be attuned to their needs, their health, and their well-being.

                So as you get your kid back to school ready consider the things you want your child to learn during this time. It is okay to stand out from the crowd for the right reasons, we should not blindly follow the rules, and childhood is a time of fun, but we all have a part to do and it is important to work hard and play hard. You’ve got this Warrior parents! School is just around the corner.

 #RaiseAWarrior 

Slowing Down Time

    We say “time flies” all the time. And boy does it seem to fly faster with every single passing day, especially as a parent. I’m not really sure what happened. We used the same clocks during B.C. (before children) years, but we seem stuck on fast forward now. And while we are not Dr. Strange or capable of messing with any of that time business there are ways to be more present and engaged, ways to savor and find joy in the moments. While that doesn’t stop or put a pause on these childhood milestones, it can make that time slow down and seem more meaningful. So here are some good ways to work some magic

Learn the stage and invest:

                When we were brand new parents we were obsessed with every single developmental stage and milestone our infant was going through and nearing. When did we stop treating childhood like that? Our children no matter their age are still learning and growing just as we are. Take time to learn about what stage they’re in and the hurdles they must overcome. Marvel at the magic of these moments again. It helps keep the focus on what really matters.

Do Less:

                We tend to feel a pressure to act and overbook ourselves. Our time off with our family is sacred time. And no one will respect it if we don’t prioritize it that way. Stop scheduling every single weekend and spare moment. Take time to enjoy spontaneity with your family. Create little rituals like “pajama day” (where the goal is to not put on real clothes all day), breakfast for dinner, or regular family game nights. And then guard those moments and prioritize them fiercely.

Be Present and Engage:

                We must be present for our kiddos both mentally, physically and emotionally. Meeting this might mean something as small as unplugging from our devices during certain hours of the day or by not multi-tasking. These two things are big hinders in our ability to focus and truly take moments to look and listen to our child for the cues they are giving us verbally or not. Find unique ways to engage. Get to know and spend time with them, their interests, their passions, and their friends.

Focus on the positive:

                Sometimes it is easy to feel like you’re losing your baby day by day. That sweet bundle you held in your arms that first day. The little one you watched take their first wobbling steps and ride their bike. Those thoughts can hurt your parents heart and steel the job of this moment by focusing on moments already gone. We tell our kids on the mat “keep your hands up” all the time. It is a mantra we repeat almost like a broken record. And the reason we say that instead of “Don’t drop your hands” is simple. We are reinforcing the positive. So don’t focus on the moments already gone or that you’ve let pass you bye. Remember them but focus on the present. Focus on the positive that you are preparing your child. Preparing your child to grow, to lead an amazing life, do great things, and raise a family of their own. And that is an amazing journey you have already begun.

 

These tips might not quite give you powers over time, but it just might make your time with your family a little richer. Until next time keep up the great work!

  #RaiseAWarrior 

How To Motivate Your Child

 

We’re getting closer to the middle of summer and there are two things we might notice around this time. It feels impossible to get our kids to do anything and we have lost all semblance of structure. This can be concerning as we look forward to the blessed but also dreaded transition back to school with all its routines and structure. This week we are diving into what truly motivates your child and how to make this work in your favor.

External vs Internal Motivators

                This isn’t a new concept by any means, but just in case we will briefly summarize. External motivators are things outside of you that encourage you to do the thing. This could include rules, rewards, consequences, praise, nagging, behavior charts, etc. And this “carrot and stick” approach may work for a time, but it doesn’t offer long term success. Intrinsic motivation on the other hand is doing something because you want to, and you enjoy it. Your child won’t always have that internal motivation, but you can help them internalize those behaviors and inspire them to more. Here’s how…

 

Stop trying to motivate them the traditional way

                All of your pushing often has the opposite effect you desire. I mean think about it. When someone is pushing and pressuring you to do something does it make you more inclined to do their bidding or do you want to dig your heels in? Your kids are the same way. It’s okay to recognize that they might not enjoy the activity or chore. We all are that way. Sometimes those things must be done and sometimes we just need to stop trying to push our dreams onto them.

Stop being controlling

                Being a controlling parent does not motivate our children. No amount of pressure or offered incentive can make an activity more enjoyable. Giving them a bit of autonomy and the freedom to take initiative might just be the thing they need. If martial arts is not their thing that is fine, BUT (and this is a big BUT as we see too many families fall into this trap) they have to be enrolled in one physically enriching activity. The choice shouldn’t be going to martial arts or staying home to play video games. A child is immature and will choose to play over work, growth, and development, almost every single time. I mean heck even we would do that if given the choice with no immediate consequences. That isn’t the choice you should offer but exploring their interests can be. Try giving your kiddos the reins a little bit and see where they want to go, within a confined boundary of course. They may try things and hate it, or try and fail, but falling is an inevitable part of learning to walk. And investing in the wrong activity for a few months won’t inevitably harm your child or their life’s trajectory.

Cultivate a growth mindset

                Our children are always learning from us. If we aren’t challenging ourselves or regularly looking for opportunities to grow why would our child? We must model the enjoyment of the journey and be lifelong learners. Learning new skills, constantly betting ourselves, mastering things we previously couldn’t dream of doing are good for us and good for our kids to see. Growing shouldn’t stop at any age so explore new interests and new subjects regularly as a family and as individuals. Help them understand that talent isn’t fixed, but malleable. Skills and mastery all depends on their willingness to practice and do the hard work.

Teach them to internalize the importance of tasks

                Some activities no matter how you look at it do not lend themselves well to enjoyment. Take chores for example. No matter how you look at it they aren’t something that necessarily spark joy (now if they do for you, please contact the front desk as my house could benefit from your joy), but they are important activities. Help your child grasp the meaning and worth of doing the things they don’t like. Hard work (no matter it’s form) is worthwhile. Practicing hard is a critical and necessary part of becoming good at anything. Chores are hardly anyone’s favorite thing, but they do give us a nice home and the space to lead the life we want to with each other. Work can be hard, but we know it has meaning. Help them internalize that lesson and they will be more willing to get on board with it and do what is needed. 

                The good thing about these lessons is they are great no matter the age of your family and worth revisiting. We could all use a bit of motivation and what better way to get that ball rolling than to work as a team with all the people you love the most. You’ve got this Warrior parents! We believe in you!

 #RaiseAWarrior 

Screen Time For Parents

                We live in a uniquely media saturated time. Everyone has a phone (or two), and we are always connected 24/7. This has led to a lot of good- like always having a camera or the ability to record a video and capture a memory forever at your fingertips; but it has also come with a price. Some of these costs we realize, like society normalizing the expectation that you be available at all times of the day, for work, for friends, and for your family. However, some of the costs aren’t as readily apparent. Since the reality is we won’t be dropping our phones anytime soon here are some things you should be conscious of while responding to the never-ending cycle of updates and messages that come throughout the day.

It impacts our parenting

                Every generation of parents has its own trials to overcome and this one is ours. We live in an era where continuous partial attention is the norm. Letting our phones interrupt us and pull our attention from what we are doing is practically instinctual now. In fact, go ahead and try it. When your phone goes off don’t look. Can you wait 10, 15, 30 minutes or more? I think you might find it interesting how hard pressed you are to delay looking at your device when it goes off. Our response has become habitual.

This lifestyle of continuous split attention doesn’t just harm us, but also our children. Parenting which has long been an emotional cued and responsive system is now disrupted. We are constantly present physically, but are we truly available and invested mentally and emotionally?

It makes us unhappier

                This lifestyle we have bought into has us stuck in the digital equivalent of an unending spin cycle. Our daily life is built around the premise that we are always on – always working, always parenting, always available to our spouses, our parents, and anyone else who might need us. And what a miserable premise that can be. That’s in addition to having the ability and expectation to always be remembering, staying on top of our household, the news, and what everyone else is doing. Walking to the car? Better order more toilet paper from Amazon. Gone are the moments of quite introspection. Had a thought? Your phone’s vibrating probably stole your attention away and it’s gone forever now. Not to mention the perfectionistic pressure of everyone’s supposed achievements, milestones, and happiness bombarding us 24/7. I mean what about all that truly makes us happier, more in the moment, and grateful?

It is an easy issue to ignore

                As parents we like to think we are always on and looking for ways to parent better. While this seems productive, we must be cautious that we aren’t projecting. For example, being middle aged and overweight myself, it is easier to obsess over my dog’s caloric intake and restrict her diet than heaven forbid address my own food regimen and habits. It’s a classic case of projection – or the psychologically defensive displacement of one’s failings onto another. Don’t we do the same thing when we are obsessive over our child’s screen time? It feels productive and good. After all we are helping them be better, right? Plus it’s much easier to focus on their habits than realizing our own might also be a problem spot that needs improving.

                Now this doesn’t mean we are condemning you for buying into our device focused culture they are pretty handy, and we aren’t ready to boycott them yet. We are merely seeking to awaken you to the realities and impacts you might not always be willing to recognize. Every action (or inaction) has a cause and effect. And we aren’t always in charge of that outcome. Merely our choices. You’ve got this Warrior parents! Every day is an opportunity to be better than the day before!

P.S. Stay tuned for more great lessons on parenting screen time and why it matters to you and your kiddos as we dive into this topic this month.

#RaiseAWarrior 

Healthy Habits During A Less Than Structured Summer

    I don’t know about you, but a slow weekend is the bane of my health goals. I am really good about meal prepping, lunch packing, and having a plethora of healthy snacks at the ready as I go about my work week. Like I am a goal crusher. And some weekend’s when we’re jam packed with activities, I can keep up that momentum and say no to fast food. I’ve found it’s the slow weekends that get me. The weekends of no plans where there is a surprising amount of free time. And in those moments, I find myself, and my family aimlessly taking multiple trips to the fridge and pantry.

                Now don’t get me wrong. Snacks aren’t inherently bad, and they are a great mini meal to bridge those gaps between meals and keep hunger and energy levels from dipping to low. However, maybe it’s just our household, but I feel snacks literally disappear into thin air. Because all that unsupervised snacking turns into a grazing mentality. And habitual grazing and snacking is not the kind of food habits we want or need to model for our children.  

Reality Check: What is Grazing?

                Grazing is what occurs when snacks are readily available upon demand. Grazing is a habit of constant snacking, and it can be more trouble than we realize. Because grazing doesn’t rely on us being intuitive to what our body needs. We don’t rely on the internal cues like hunger, fatigue, or irritability. Instead, our food intake becomes based on external cues like: habitual actions (think siting down to watch TV or game), it being readily available, it coming into our sight line, someone else snacking, walking through the kitchen, etc. It leads to eating on autopilot and without thought. And mindless actions are not often a positive thing.

Ways to Improve

1.       Identify your triggers: At what times of day do you find you or the members of your family unconsciously reaching for a treat? Do you reward yourself for doing a minor inconvenience? Do you habitually make a stop on the way home from school? Do certain times or activities of your day always involve food? Can you watch TV or scroll through TikTok without a snack? Identifying the times that you mindlessly begin snacking helps you set a better example and then enables you to tackle your families’ habits on a broader scale.

2.       Create a predictable schedule: If you think about it we all tend to get hungry or need a snack at very specific times. These moments are typically the mid or lull points of our day. Use that predictability to your advantage and become more rigid about the timing of your meals and snacks. This predictability will create a habitual rhythm of eating that will help even on the less structured weekend days where we don’t have standard things breaking up our day. Make your meals and snacks that constant standard thing.

3.       Give a heads up when things are outside the norm: You know when dinner will be late or if you have evening plans. Get the whole family on board accordingly and work together. If you normally have dinner at 6pm but won’t until 7pm today let everyone know and remind them they might want a bigger after school snack to tide them over. Managed expectations help keep the majority of the grumbles at bay no matter your age (don’t believe us? Try it with your partner).

4.       The Open/Closed Kitchen Mindset: One of the things that makes grazing so easy is the food readily being available and without any structure or consequence. So consider treating your kitchen like a restaurant that only operates within certain hours. Using a phrase like “the kitchen is closed” is an easy phrase and mindset that helps your whole family make healthier choices about eating and snacking. Start by thinking about your most common habitual snack and mealtimes. These are good and natural times for the kitchen to be open. Be present during this time. Work through making good choices together. Then after a certain amount of time “close the kitchen.” This let’s your family know the kitchen is a off limit’s space right now. At first you might think this a bit harsh but in reality, it is merely a boundary and if presented by ensuring your family the next timing of a meal or snack they will be reassured that this isn’t an end of the world ordeal. That doesn’t mean your family will love the idea but the accountability and habits it helps build are much more productive towards a healthy and wholesome lifestyle and relationship with food.   

5.       Allow reasonable choice: This requires a special sort of balance. Giving your child a voice in food preference and amounts gets them involved and interested in trying new things, but too much choice leads to a spoiled and picky eater. A good rule of thumb to help your is to offer two or three choices within the same category. For example: giving your child the choice of starch (like beans, sweet potato, or corn) for a side with dinner or offering a fruit smoothie or apple with peanut butter for a snack is a far better game plan than the open-ended black hole battleground of “what would you like to eat?” After all, when we are given the same choice our first instinct isn’t necessarily a healthy one.

    Now it’s time to plan and invoke some more intentional parenting! We hope these food boundaries help you and your family be healthier now and help your child grow up with a health relationship with food. You’ve got this Warrior parents!

#RaiseAWarrior 

Boredom Builds A Better Life

     "I'm bored." These words have been dreaded by parents for a millennia. When we were younger boredom was a common part of childhood and it often led to some of our greatest activities and made up games. But now boredom has become sort of taboo. Gone are the days when a child had to cure their boredom blues. Today's boredom is a parent's problem. But why??? When did we become afraid of these words? Why do they make us feel put on the spot or guilty? Why do we now wrongly view boredom as a moment not fully lived or uninteresting? We have forgotten boredom and it's awesome potential. When we look at how boredom made our days great as a kid how can we also now believe that constantly being pressured to solve this "problem" of boredom right away is actually helping our child? So it's time to let them be bored. And it's time to help our child grow strong and handle the raw stuff that life is made of without hiding behind electronics. It's time to celebrate and make use of that unstructured time without fear; and here's how we're going to do it...

No Band-Aid Solutions

     When it comes to boredom the easy path is rarely the right one. So even though technology is an easy out, don't give in. When we use television or electronic games to alleviate boredom we are actually digging ourselves into a deeper hole. Our kids will have learned nothing, they will come to expect this response in the future, we both start to rely on it as a babysitter and source of entertainment, and if we decide to be more involved in the future we have a difficult battle ahead because we didn't stay strong in the first place. So just say no. Boredom isn't an excuse for a free for all. Have a family limit on electronics time and stick too it. It is okay to be more lax during the holiday or summer months, but that doesn't mean they get to sit there all weekend- only coming up for food and snacks. No matter their age. There is just too much at stake and life is too precious to be wasted solely on devices.

Cultivate Creativity

     What were the things that kept you from boredom when you were a child? Cardboard castles, blanket forts, building a tree house, inventing new games, the options are and always have been endless. Our minds like to wander when we're bored. And that's where the magic happens. That's where hobbies and passions are born. And creativity is like a muscle. The more our child uses it, the stronger it grows. And since we can't prepare our child for everything to come in today's ever changing world, creativity is the next best thing. Who knows, creativity might help them find their passion in a work field or it might give them the ability to adapt and overcome in a vast array of environments.

Teach Contentment Within

      Ever heard the phrase 'only boring people are bored'? Growing up this was a mantra in our home and for good reason. When a child says they're bored they are saying they can't find something to interest or entertain them. But where are they looking? The typical child looks outside of themselves for entertainment. I mean after all in today's go-go-go world that is completely understandable. But if we spend all of our time entertaining our child they never learn to entertain themselves. Worse still they could grow to think the entire world revolves around them and that they are never content with themselves. Constantly shoving our child towards another activity, simply because they're bored creates and supports the belief that solely by themselves and without something added our children are uninteresting. So let them be bored. Let them get comfortable with the silence of themselves. Let their personality grow.

Take A Few And Reconnect

      Sometimes our children say they're bored because they don't know how to express that they need to reconnect and interact with someone. So take a few seconds to acknowledge them. Give them a quick squeeze and say "I know you're smart/creative/fun enough to come up with something to do." This gives them a quick refill check and verbally validates them and their abilities. Remember! We do not want to solve the conundrum of boredom for them. If you do believe your child is seeking to reconnect give them something to look forward to. Let them know you'll be free in an hour or that you can go for a special treat after dinner. This still allows them to work through their boredom and look forward to some one on one or family time later that day.

    All in all it isn't just okay to let your child be bored every now and again it is imperative to their journey.  So teach your child to view boredom not as scary empty void, but as an opportunity. Let them know how it will help them and that you're excited to see what they come up with. Because a little boredom and creative down time is just what the doctor ordered for you and your kiddo. Happy parenting.

#RaiseAWarrior 

Oh The Places You Can Go

     Childhood today looks WAAAAAAAYYYYYY different from when we were growing up. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I mean looking back on some of the things we did growing up with zero supervision... well let's just say it makes me proud to be standing here with all of my appendages intact and working. But as a whole we have shifted towards viewing going outside as a means to get somewhere, rather than viewing the outdoors as a destination in and of itself. Which is a shame since we believe our children should grow up with a healthy curiosity and respect for the world around them.

     Maybe that's why we're a little grateful for the topsy turvy trials of this year. I mean one huge good thing to come of all the coronavirus/work from home/shelter in place life was an increase in family time. And we loved hearing all about it in our weekly zoom chats and in class. We love that so many of you took advantage of this time to go outside. We loved hearing of all the biking, walking, hiking, and swimming you guys were enjoying together. It inspired us to do this in our own homes more. But as our world continues to open up, and schedules get back to normal and we find ourselves increasingly busier we feel strongly that it's important to keep that family centered focus going. So whether you're an avid nature enthusiast or you just want happy, healthier children here are some great benefits of venturing beyond and some ideas to get your family outdoors more this summer.

Because not everything needs to be fast

     If you're like us. You relished the change of pace that coronavirus brought. It really helped you reorient and prioritize what matters the most. And as we get back to a semblance of our new normal we are realizing we don't have to be spread so thin. Life doesn't have to be a continuous string of one activity or task to the next. It is okay to slow down. It can be wonderful actually. And slowing down in nature, whether its lazing about in a hammock, watching the clouds glide bye or waiting for the fish to bite can be just the change of pace and reset we need to recharge and refill after a long week.

Because not everything needs to be planned

     2020 has been a testament to this fact. Life happens whether it's planned or not. And even the greatest plans have to be rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstance. It's just a fact of life. We know how little we truly have control over. So breathe. Don't stress so much. You don't have to fill every spare second of your weekend with activities, company and outings. Some of life's greatest moments happen by accident. So if you're tired of being home get out and go. See where the road takes you. Take a drive together, go on an impromptu hike, get lost together, be spontaneous, have a picnic, utilize local walking trails, do whatever brings you joy. Just get outside together and relish those lazy unplanned days of summer.

Because facing obstacles is a skill

     Anytime we put ourselves against nature we are facing something bigger than us. And as we push the boundaries of what we thought was possible, as we stretch outside our comfort zone we are learning to face our fears and overcome obstacles. And that is a skill essential to success later on. So push them to climb that tree. See who can climb the rock the highest. Pit yourself against nature by hiking the harder paths. The views are always worth it and we can take pride in doing something we thought we couldn't before.     

Because adventure is what childhood memories are made of

     Some of my fondest memories as a child involved being outside. Hiking, camping, swimming in natural water holes, slipping across algae covered rocks, catching tadpoles or hunting for crawdads, fighting over the hammocks, building rock monuments, playing in mud, finding the best walking stick, climbing the biggest rock. These adventures held magic in them. And although we were tired and often whined about the journey it was always worth it. Those trips are the ones I remember. How we went camping for a week and it rained every day. How we saw a baby bear cub, and tried to smash rocks to make arrowheads like the Native Americans of old. I don't remember Disneyland or Sea World or even much of Lego Land in Cali. But I do remember the wonder of standing beneath the great sequoias and many misadventures in the great outdoors.

Because it can spark a lifelong love

    Our many adventures growing up has sparked a lifelong love. I will always love to travel. I will always love to hike. And while camping in a tent is no longer my favorite there is nothing like a day spent exploring new places and ending the day around a fire. I owe that to my childhood. And one day I too want to take my family to as many National Parks as I can. I want them to do the Junior Ranger Programs, to explore, to collect the badges, and rocks and shells. I want them to build a home and a life but be brave enough to step out of it and explore. So let them collect those rocks or pinecones or whatever it may be. Those are memories of the magic of childhood. And by building a love for the outdoors now it can touch your family for many generations to come.

Because it makes us healthier

     It's no secret that today's busy, fast food filled, but also sedentary, electronics based lifestyle isn't doing our society any favors. Getting outside is an active endeavor. It isn't easy walking, hiking, biking, skating, or swimming. It isn't easy to camp or gather firewood. And it is definitely up and moving. So find a way to get your family outdoors. Create traditions. There are plenty of things to do in the local area and a short day trip away. Instilling these habits and this love now will payoff today and for years to come.

Because you don't even have to go very far

     We know that with all the continued uncertainty going on today you might not feel up for a grand adventure. Camping in your back yard, walking or biking the paths of our locale, having a picnic, trying all the playgrounds in our city are all minutes away. And they take minimal prep to make happen. If you're up for something more Turner Falls, The Wichita Mountains, lakes and more are a short trip away. The best thing of all is it's easy to social distance in the wide open spaces of the great outdoors. So no matter how big or small the adventure start getting your family outside more. We know you won't regret it. Happy parenting!

#RaiseAWarrior 

Connecting with your Warrior: 5 Daily Habits to Make a Priority this Summer

     Ask any fellow parent how life is going and I guarantee you'll hear some version of "we're staying busy." Between the never ending emails, work, keeping house, play dates, kid's extracurricular activities... it seems like our to do list's and days are unending. But is all this busyness beneficial for our families? It is easy for us to view any productivity as a good thing when there are tiny humans involved because we parents all know how challenging it can be to get anything done on time with a kiddo or two in tow. So when we truly look at this currently trending 'busyness' epidemic is it a good thing or is it stealing chances to connect with our child away from us?

     Here at Warrior's Way we are firm believers that family time is the best time. The good news for you busy parents is that quality one on one time with your little ones trumps quantity any day. We know that your days are jam packed, but it only takes a few spare moments in between life to truly connect with our kids. So this summer lets make family our priority Warrior parents. We know that if you take the time to build these special moments into your daily routine a few minutes here and there, you will truly see your relationship transform in unexpected ways. So here are 5 easy daily habits to help make connecting with your Little Warrior a true priority this summer.

Hug it out:

     There is a lot of good that comes from simple hugs or an affectionate touch. In fact it is such a studied topic that family therapist Virginia Satir is most famously known for saying, "We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth." This is also probably the easiest new habit to squeeze into our already busy schedules. So give it a try and snuggle your kiddo a little extra today. Whether it's a good morning squeeze, a pat on the back, a friendly hello, or a gentle hair tousle these moments are priceless when it comes to our since of connection and well-being.

Enter their creative worlds:

     Kid's are so imaginative. Their minds are truly magic at all ages. So take time to enter their creative worlds. Get to know them in each and every creative stage, explore their likes and dislikes. As parents we know how quickly these interests and play worlds change. So savor each stage. Whether they are inviting you to color, kill creepers in Minecraft, build with legos, or have a tea party make it a priority. When you make time a few weeks from now that stage could be gone forever. So make their creative world a priority. These are the moments you will miss and wish for when they are older. And a child who feels connected and understood is less likely to act out than one who doesn't feel a priority. So make one on one play time a weekly priority.

Take 5 and be present:

     Because life is so busy we have become master level multi-taskers. I mean be honest with yourself... how many times have we been guilty of half listening to a story of our child's day while answering emails, texting, or making a grocery list? So take 5 minutes. The work will still be there when you're done. So turn off your phone or turn down the music for even 5 minutes. Your child will remember for the rest of their life that they were important enough that your stopped what you were doing and gave them your undivided attention. This is also an excellent practice in the car when picking up your child from whatever activity or event they just came from. Lowering the music and just asking them how today was can be a powerful invitation to connect. The lack of eye contact in a car really takes the pressure off so kids are more likely to open up and share.

Weekly one on one date:

     This is a cute tradition that even if done bi-weekly can lead to some truly special memories. We see varieties of this in many of our Warrior families and it's too precious not to share. And the best part is this can be whatever you want it to be. Some families get ice cream every Friday, others have game nights or go bowling every week. The thing is it doesn't matter what you do for your family date. Having something you can reliably look forward too, a chance to just let loose, laugh and have fun is good for everyone. So start some awesome traditions and make family date night a priority in your home. 

End the day on a high note:

     I get it Warrior parents. Sometimes your day is just too busy and you can barely squeeze in 12 affectionate hugs. Have no fear! Bedtime is an excellent chance to make up for this and reconnect. By bedtime we're usually winding down also and any left over work from the day can be put off until tomorrow. So use bedtime to ask about their day, read a story together, or just cuddle on the couch to a favorite show. This quick moment of connection makes bedtime special and helps to end the day on a high note. It is also a chance to air out any hurts or concerns from the day before. Taking a moment to handle those before bed helps start tomorrow off on a better note. So take advantage of this chance to connect and check in before bedtime.

      We know fitting these 5 things into your busy summer schedule is a tall order some days. But we wouldn't advocate for it if we didn't truly believe in the positive power of family time. Life with its infinite distractions and separate schedules has a way of eroding connection. So find those spare moments in-between your daily routine and make the most of them. The benefits are worth too much for us not to make an effort. I mean who of us doesn't want increased connection, understanding, and cooperation in our homes? Building these routines may take some work, but it will leave you more connected, stronger as a whole, and with a heart full of happy shared moments long after your child has grown and begun to spread their wings.

#RaiseAWarrior 

Summer Fun for the Whole Family

     Summer break is next week and the Academy will be closed for that 1st week in July so our staff can go on vacation. Some of you may have the week already planned and filled with epic activities, or vacations of your own. However, some of you just read that first sentence and are panicking, because that means no summer camp next week. Whichever parenting category you fall into (prepared or panicked) we've got your back. This week's blog post is full of family fun ideas that are only a car ride away. Feel free to use them next week or anytime during summer break for some truly memorable family fun.

Little Eden Farm and Exotics:

     Located in Harrold, Texas and making it a little less than an hour drive from the Falls town this is a staycation experience unlike any other. Treat your kiddos (and let's be honest, yourself also) to some sweet animal cuddles. This is your not so average petting zoo experience that includes kangaroos, lemurs and more. They open their farm by reservation only. So give them a call at 940-733-5250 or contact them on Facebook. Whether you go next week or sometime during the summer this will be a fun adventure to share with your Little Warrior.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center:

     Located in Glen Rose, TX this fun little safari experience is worth the 3 hour drive. View over 1,000 endangered animals from the comfort of your own car or take one of the guided safari tours in their open-air buses. For a few extra bucks, you can even buy animal food at the front gate to hand out during your tour. We promise that if you're lucky enough to coax a giraffe over the experience of feeding them is unlike any other. Check them out at https://fossilrim.org/

Dinosaur Valley State Park:

     For the kiddos who love animals that are of the extinct variety Dinosaur Valley is a must go. Also located in Glen Rose, TX this is the perfect follow up to your Fossil Rim adventure. Here your adventures include geocaching, hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and of course searching for dinosaur tracks. The dinosaur tracks in the river bed are amazing! But you can't always see them because they're in the river bed so be sure to check their site for more details on the water level and to bring swim shoes and suits. They also have an awesome FREE Junior Park Ranger Program that if completed earns your little adventurer a special edition Honorary Ranger Pin. For more information and to see if the dinosaur tracks are visible check them out at https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley 
        

Graham Drive In Theater:

     For those of you looking for a fun summer adventure a little closer to home don't forget about the Graham Drive In. Open most weekends, they play a variety of family friendly new movies. Plus their snack bar is delicious! Check them out at http://grahamdrivein.com/ to see what's playing next and plan a family night under the stars. Bonus is most weekend performances are double features and they are waaaaaaaaaayyyyyy cheaper than going to the actual theater.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History:

     Maybe you've heard of them and maybe you haven't, but this kid centered play experience is different enough to be worth mentioning. With a dinosaur dig, rotating interactive exibhits, the innovative building studios, and the children's museum you can easily spend a whole day playing here. With activities for children toddler age to early teen they are definitely worth checking out. Plus there are so many things to do in the area for an ultimate midweek getaway experience. More details available at https://www.fwmuseum.org/explore/


   

Water activities:

     We all know nothing beats the Texas heat like a little water fun. The options nearby are endless with Castaway Cove, Hurricane Harbor, the multitude of splash pads in the DFW area, Great Wolf Lodge, and of course more homey things like a good ole' water balloon battle in the backyard. So plan on getting a little wet next week and let the good times roll!

Experimental play:

     Looking for something a little closer to home? Check out Downtown's Crashwork Studios! This creative play space has an assortment of odds and ends that provide hours of entertainment for all ages. And with a price of under $10 you truly can't beat it. Check them out at https://crashworkswf.com/about-us/ 

     This doesn't even cover a quarter of the Texas adventures you can fill your family's summer with, but we thought these were a few of the lesser known, and unique ones worth sharing with your Little Warrior. You could totally go to Six Flags, Legoland, the Zoo, or the Aquarium and fight the crowds again. Or you could go bigger and have an adventure unlike any other. In summer the options are endless. So have fun! And be safe during our Summer Break next week!

#RaiseAWarrior