Students throughout Connecticut are saying goodbye to friends and teachers this week and heading into summer excited to be free of homework and tests, and looking forward to summer camp, summer jobs or just hanging out at home. On the other hand, many parents are looking ahead toward the comparatively unstructured summer schedule likely with  a mix of optimism and trepidation as they plan trips and activities for their children and hope that there are enough things in place to keep their children entertained and to keep themselves sane until September rolls around again.

In the current economic climate many families who in the past have gone on vacation or sent their children to expensive camps may not have the resources to do those things this summer and may be feeling guilty and unsure of what to do with their kids this summer.

One inspired and unconventional  idea is to design a service project with your children and make that a summer long project that the whole family can participate in. If you have a service idea in mind or are looking for ideas you can go to www.serve.gov a website provided by the Corporation for National & Community Service which can help you find service projects in your community. What better way to spend your summer than to spend time with your family working to help others (and in doing so helping yourself ) and teaching a powerful lesson to your children. Having fewer financial resources only puts more emphasis on using ones personal resources. As the old adage goes… “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Few things are sweeter than working together as a family and seeing the fruits of your labor manifested in the smiling appreciative faces of the people that you’ve helped.

A gentle reminder that the best things in life really are free!