Karen Reivich

With the school year coming to an end, my family is starting to think about summer and how to make the most of this precious time. We tend to have a lot of free time in the summer, and it can be all too easy to let the summer drift away without using the time wisely

So this summer, we're trying something new: creating a list of 101 Things to Do Before the End of the Summer. A list like this can be a fun way to motivate you and your family to do things that might otherwise never make your to-do list. The beauty of this list is that it gives your family a chance to share dreams, express what they enjoy most, and encourage them to do things you will all remember for years to come.

Often when we think about goal setting, we think about "I Should" goals: I should exercise more, I should eat less candy, I should study more, etc. These goals are necessary and valuable, but the 101 Things to Do Before the End of the Summer list isn't about "I Should," it's about "We Want:" We want to go crabbing, we want to stargaze in our backyard, we want to eat hamburgers from 15 different places, etc.  

As you create your list, think about things your family would like to learn, things that they are passionate about, foods they'd like to eat, movies they'd like to see, books they'd like to read, risks they'd like to take, and games they'd like to play. Make sure everyone in the family contributes. Some goals can be family experiences and others can be individual goals.

• Write a play and perform it at the next family event.
• Invite friends over to learn how to salsa dance.
• Compose a song.
• Form a band.
• Host a karaoke night at our house.
• Host a poker night.
• Plant a vegetable garden.
• Invite friends over to bake pizza and cookies.
• Run in a race.
• Get our palms read.
• Learn a new word every day.
• Host a costume party.
• Take a family walk in the rain.

Sincerely,

Karen Reivich, Ph.D.