Summer can be a wonderful season of family memories, but it can also bring added stress. With changing schedules, children home from school, vacations, and less personal space, many families find that summer highlights both the joys and challenges in their relationships.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our families is the gift of tradition.

Family traditions create a sense of belonging, connection, and memories that last far beyond the moment. They remind our children and grandchildren that they are part of something meaningful.

For our family, one of those traditions has been returning to our lake home in upstate New York every summer. What started 32 years ago — the same year my wife and I were married — has become a treasured part of our family story. We brought our children there as they grew up, and now we have the joy of watching our grandchildren experience the same place and create their own memories.

Traditions do not have to be elaborate or expensive. Sometimes the simplest things become the most meaningful — a yearly trip, a special meal, a family activity, or time set aside to simply be together.
Being together does not always mean being connected. Take time this summer to be intentional:

• Put distractions away and enjoy conversations
• Ask your family meaningful questions
• Create moments your children and grandchildren will remember

For couples, remember that your marriage is the foundation of your family. Continue investing in each other, even during busy seasons. A simple check-in — “How are you really doing?” — can create deeper connection.

Summer can also bring challenges as routines change and expectations collide. Learning to communicate with kindness, listen well, and work together strengthens both marriage and family relationships.

The greatest memories your family creates are not only about where you go, but about how loved and connected everyone feels.

If summer reveals deeper struggles — emotional distance, communication challenges, or ongoing conflict — marriage and family counseling can provide a safe place to rebuild connection and strengthen relationships.
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This summer, choose connection. Start a tradition, strengthen your relationships, and create memories that can be carried through generations.

For many of us, the amount of time our kids spend on their phones is a BIG concern. Add in tablets, gaming systems and movie streaming, is there any time left for families to connect? Technology separates families, the internet can consume time you may otherwise spend together talking, reading, laughing, making meals together, playing games.
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Teens today spend a lot of hours a week in front of a screen. Too much screen time leaves me feeling grouchy, short and irritable. Have you noticed your kids being grouchy, short and irritable? Or saying things like "I have to have this" or "why can't I do that"? Could it be that they are spending too much time on technology?

What happens when you try to limit it?  "All my friends parents don't care how long they are on their phones, they don't have restrictions, you are so overprotective!"  You start to wonder could this be true? Am I over thinking this? Times have changed, this is just what kids do these days., right? Is it really worth the argument and attitude to enforce time constraints?  I want to be bold fellow parents, let's stick together and say YES, it is!

In many homes parents, myself included, lay down rules about internet usage but have a hard time following through with enforcing these rules.  Technology to the rescue... recently, I learned about a free app that can shut off all apps and internet access on a phone. You can schedule your teens apps to go off at a certain time each night to make sure they get their zzz's. If you want to have technology free "family time" with a push of a button internet and apps are gone!  The app is called Our Pact. Their mission is to empower parents to guide their children through the balanced use of technology.

Blocking times when kids can get on the internet without creating an alternative can create a void. If you want more family time, plan it. If you want them to be a better soccer player, get out there and practice with them. Most importantly, we need to think about the relationship we want our kids to have with technology and model it. o empower parents to guide their children through the balanced use of technology.To empower parents to guide their children through the balanced use of technology.