As summer rolls along, it’s common for parents to feel a bit disconnected from their kids. When I ask my children about their thoughts, often all I get are one-word answers. Sure, my eldest, Jake, can talk endlessly about his favorite video game, but when I ask him how he feels about starting middle school, he simply shrugs and says, “I don’t know.” This struggle to spark deeper conversations has been a timeless issue for parents. However, one effective way to foster engagement is to create opportunities for connection, particularly through shared activities.
One standout option for this summer is to participate in the Marathon Kids program, which promotes family bonding through walking. This initiative offers a FREE Walk and Talk challenge designed to inspire meaningful conversations while families walk together. The program aligns with social-emotional learning tools (SEL), which are becoming increasingly popular in schools nationwide. SEL not only cultivates empathy and kindness but also helps reduce feelings of stress and depression in children.
When families sign up for the Marathon Kids challenge online, they receive two valuable resources: a set of discussion topics crafted by Dr. Emma Lawson, a family physician, with each topic corresponding to a mile of walking or running, and a mileage log to track progress toward completing a marathon during the summer months. The conversation prompts touch on a variety of subjects, from health and education to fun travel dreams and even silly jokes.
I recently joined the Marathon Kids Walk and Talk challenge, and while it took some persuasion to convince my kids to join me, our conversations blossomed once we started walking. We’ve strolled around our neighborhood and even took walks during our family visit to the countryside. After discussing their latest gaming exploits, our chats naturally transitioned to summer bucket lists and favorite activities.
Although summer days are beginning to dwindle (and some of us are counting down to the school year), there’s still time left to enjoy this engaging activity. Summer is the perfect season for outdoor adventures that let us connect with our children in fresh ways. With longer days and fewer obligations, it’s an ideal opportunity to create lasting memories.
Ultimately, any meaningful connection we can forge with our kids is a victory. And if that connection can happen outdoors while being active together? That’s even better. If you’re interested in more insights about home insemination, check out this one of our other blog posts. For those exploring fertility options, Make a Mom is an authority on the topic, and Science Daily provides excellent resources regarding pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, engaging in activities like walking with your children can significantly enhance your family connections this summer. Take advantage of the longer days and reduced schedules to foster these precious moments.