School is out for the summer. What do we do now? I asked teachers and kids on the last day of school what they planned to do on the first day of summer vacation. Both groups said “sleep in.” I could understand that coming from teachers but it surprised me coming from kids. I did spend my first day of summer vacation lying on the lawn watching the clouds. But the only reason for that leisure time was that my dad had not yet finalized my schedule for the next two months that included: picking rocks, pulling weeds, shoveling corrugates, picking rocks, herding sheep and cattle, baling hay, picking rocks, driving grain truck, mowing lawn… and picking rocks. My vacation time coincided with the same day that school started up again. My birthday fell in August and was always spent working. As soon as I became an employed adult, I never again worked on my birthday!

In this issue we are providing suggestions of what to do this summer. I especially want to focus on family activities. Summer is an opportune time to reconnect with family members that are pulled in different directions during the school year. Start by doing anything together outside to make optimal use of climate and environment. Due to the list above, my family seldom went places away from the farm during the summer. But we occasionally went to the mountains and I developed a lifelong love for them. Mountains are a refreshing change from desert. Even if it’s just for a daytrip, take the kids/grandkids to the South Hills or anywhere north of Ketchum. Look for birds, wildlife, wildflowers, streams, and pick a few pretty rocks to take home. It’s the only rock picking I’ve ever enjoyed!

The family activity to do daily is eat meals together. Of course that also means summer picnics and barbecues in the back yard. The benefits of family mealtimes are enormous and include: higher self-esteem, improved nutrition, better academic performance, and lower rates of depression among children and teens. Pre-teens and teenagers are less likely to smoke, drink alcohol, misuse substances, and engage in other unhealthy behaviors. For adults, there is decreased loneliness, lower stress, and improved mental health (Research summary from EatTogetherIdaho.org). My fondest times when growing up were mealtimes. We told stories, laughed, learned, bonded, and I would steal food from my brother’s plate! Ok, don’t do that last one.

This summer make memories. Make someone happy. Do something as a family to strengthen other families and our community. Thank God for all of His blessings.

-Priscilla Martens