As summer progresses, it’s easy to feel the time slipping away. Most parents can relate to the challenge of engaging their children in deeper conversations. My son, for instance, can talk endlessly about his latest video game obsession, but when I ask about his feelings regarding the upcoming school year, I often get a shrug and a quiet, “I don’t know.”
Parents have long struggled with initiating meaningful dialogue with their kids. The best advice? Take advantage of those moments when they occur naturally. You can’t force these conversations, but you can create an environment that encourages them.
One effective way to spark discussions with your children is to engage in physical activities together. Much like how kids may open up during a car ride to soccer practice, they often feel more comfortable sharing while exercising or participating in sports. That’s why I was drawn to the Marathon Families program when I discovered it.
The concept behind Marathon Families is straightforward: it aims to strengthen family bonds through walking. They even offer a FREE summer Walk and Talk challenge complete with numerous conversation starters. This initiative promotes social-emotional learning (SEL), a vital aspect used in schools nationwide to nurture kinder, more empathetic children, leading to reduced stress and improved attitudes toward education.
Upon registering for the program, families receive a couple of valuable resources: (1) a curated list of topics by Dr. Emily Carter, a family health expert, designed to align with a mile of walking or running, and (2) a mileage log to track family progress toward completing a marathon throughout the summer. The conversation prompts span a variety of subjects, including health, education, friendships, and even fun knock-knock jokes or travel dreams.
I recently joined the Marathon Families Walk and Talk challenge. Initially, it took some persuading to get my kids to accompany me, but once we started, the dialogue flowed. We walked around our neighborhood, explored the countryside while visiting relatives, and even strolled to the local fair. After discussing their Fortnite escapades, our talks shifted to summer bucket lists and favorite pastimes.
Although summer is winding down—some of us are even counting down the days until school resumes—there’s still ample opportunity to tick off a few activities from your summer bucket list. This particular experience stands out as an ideal choice. The summer season is perfect for stepping outside and forging new connections with your children. With longer days and fewer distractions like homework, there’s no better time to bond.
Let’s face it: any chance to connect meaningfully with our children is a victory. And spending time outdoors while being active together? That’s a bonus.
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In summary, engaging in physical activities like walking not only promotes health but also fosters deeper conversations between parents and children. This summer, make it a priority to connect meaningfully through shared experiences.
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