I loved summers as a kid. We spent most of ours on Maui, in Lahaina, where my mom grew up. My cousins and I would load up coolers with tuna sandwiches, leftover chicken and rice balls, and sodas and head to Sandbox beach, down the street from Grandpa and Grandma Reimann’s house. We’d be there the whole day, swimming, eating and hanging out. 

 

At night, everyone came to the house. We ate and then went outside to enjoy the balmy evening. The kids played games on one side of the yard -- no holing up inside with video game consoles -- while the adults gathered at the other end of it to “talk story” and play music. Eventually, Grandma would come outside -- in her polyester shorts and slippers with socks -- with a box of Popsicles for us. We’d sit in the grass, eating our treats and listening to Dad and the uncles play their ukulele, as the stars lit up the evening sky.

 

Those were good days. Unfortunately, summer has become a bit more complicated for many families, as we see in our top story today. I feel bad for parents who have to wrestle with limited daycare, high-priced activities and inflexible day camp schedules. This is tough for any parent, but for single parents, it’s a logistical nightmare. I was fortunate to have my parents nearby when I was raising my two children. Mom and Dad took the kids to the movies and on vacations and helped offset the costs of summer camps and other activities.

 

How are parents in your organization managing their summer schedules? Are you aware of the challenges they might be having? How can you support them better? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.