June Blog 

 Summer vacation are two words that can spark joy or fear. I know when my children were young I was thrilled with the opportunity of having our children at home, but there was also the planning of what we would do to fill the days. I’m sure parents are faced with the same challenges today.

The first opportunity is to always take advantage of the Summer Reading program at the local library. Mrs. Criste has been to every classroom to share with your children the various programs offered at the local libraries in the area. Regardless of what else you have on your summer schedule reading is a must.

With my own children we looked at Summer Camp opportunities and were always able to find one or two week camps that fit the interest of each child. My own children loved Space Camp. If traveling out of state is not an option there are many offerings at the local recreation centers or universities in the area. The Summer Day Camp at the Notre Dame Early Learning Center has many fun offerings. There is also Vacation Bible School offered at Notre Dame June 13^th-17^th.

Whatever your plans are for the summer there is usually a trip on the calendar. In our family we always had a road trip to plan. The destination was never as important as the time we spent together getting there. To this day we laugh as we reminisce about the endless hours of 20 questions we played in the car.

While vacations are fun, often the most fun is just spending lazy hours reading, riding bikes, picnicking or swimming. The most fun and truly the most important times are those spent with family. You will notice what is missing in my recollections are computers and video games, (yes, my children had them when they were young). Electronic devices are always available and can be fun, but should not be your child’s primary source of entertainment. Amazingly, as I speak to my children about the summer fun times we had when they were young electronic devices are never even mentioned.

Regardless of what you are doing this summer my wish for you is a safe, relaxing, fun-filled time with family; family memories are truly the greatest gift you can give your children.