Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

By Nancy Stoops

School is over for most children and it’s time for some fun and adventure.  Make this the summer you get your children off those electronic devices and outside to have some fun.  Make this the summer where everybody does some hiking in some beautiful scenery and where everybody spends some time in those beach waves or in the pool.  Make some plans for a day trip or if possible, a vacation away.

If you are low on money this summer, be creative about ways to create some fun outside.  We didn’t have lots of money when I was growing up, but I always had fun outside.  I loved when we would grill and eat outside as we would watch the sunset.  I don’t know why food seems to taste better when it is eaten outside.  My mom would even turn on the sprinklers and we would run through them; I thought I was in heaven.  I would also fill my wagon up with all kinds of leaves and rocks and I would put on a mask to pretend I was having an underwater adventure.

We have a huge pool at my home and my grandchildren love the dive sticks that you can purchase at target.  They love when we throw them in and they can dive to the bottom and retrieve them.

We do have some nice hiking trails locally so gather the family and put Fido on a leash for a walk. You can help everybody get more fit this summer.  You can take advantage of the concerts in the park, pack a picnic dinner, or spend a day at the beach.  You could also hop on a train and go south or north even just for the day.  Get everybody outside for some fun and for some adventures this summer!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net