Welcome to our new “Prevent This” blog series where we will be discussing ways to prevent some of the traditional frustrations parents experience as they raise their families. The inaugural post is taking place in the dog days of summer because the one regret we often hear described, is about people not taking the time to slow down and enjoy the smaller moments in life until it is too late. We like to think that widespread use of Gift Surveys can give families more opportunity to focus on what really matters, but certainly the summer break from school also paves the way for increased down-time and reflection, often with extended and/or out-of-town family.

Kids often cite summertime memories as some of their most meaningful. Below you will find two suggestions as to how you can make the most of the weeks that remain between now and Labour Day, even without formal vacation plans.

1. Have your kids ask their grandparents what their favorite song, book, movie or food was when they were young. This question transcends age, gender, language, socio-economic situation and religion. Who doesn’t have a favorite movie moment, passage from a book or comfort food? The stories that naturally come out of answering this question will give both your kids and your parents a chance to connect and see each other as something other than just older or younger people. Not seeing grandparents this summer? No problem – write to them – or ask Aunts and Uncles. The point is to illustrate to kids that adults were once kids themselves, and to illustrate to adults, that despite the proliferation of devices, today’s children still crave and enjoy “hearing” about the youth of their extended family members.

2. Establish a break from non-essential shopping. The middle of summer is perhaps the easiest time of the year to do this. Seasonal clothing has been purchased – it’s not yet time for back-to-school shopping. Businesses close early with summer hours designed to support their staff. Christmas and Hanukkah are months away. Tell your kids the next three weekends are reserved for spending time together, outside, doing things you can’t do in the winter months. Explore a local park, farmer’s market or bike trail. Take the New York Times Well Family Blog “Intentional Summer” challenges. Ask other families to join you. Count the stars, listen to the crickets, pack a picnic. Marvel at the perfect peach or tomato. Does a sandwich ever taste as good as it does at the end of a long hike? At the end of a particularly busy week next fall, you can all reflect on the day Dad had bacon ice cream, or Max saw his first firefly. When we look back at our own childhoods, isn’t it surprising how seemingly simple moments became family touchstones?