June is a month full of the beginnings of summer.
Everyone is excited to have a break, summer camps are in full swing, Father's Day is in June, and families begin their summer trips. It's easy to get out of our normal routines, and we are even relieved to have a break from the monotony. It's important, though, to keep in mind that kids (and even teens) thrive in a structured environment. Structure creates a sense of safety for kids, and when they feel safe, they are able to spread their wings, they're willing to try new things, and explore their environment. They are also easier to get along with! Going to church is one of the structures our family put into place long before I became Youth Ministry Director. My kids loved going to church once we got there, but they would often resist going in the morning when we were getting ready. After I decided to include church as one of our structures, and they realized it was no longer a choice, the arguments about it on Sundays tapered off and died away. As we went regularly, they started developing relationships with the other kids which made them enjoy going even more. It soon became a structure we all grew to love, as we discovered it nourishes us and supports our deep human need for community. As the summer ramps up, remember to keep some of those structures in place that nourish and support your family. Hopefully, we will be one of them!
Important Dates:
Legacy Rally (high school age): June 14-18
IYOU (age 15-18): July 19-23 Registration closes June 14. Contact Tammy Carrillo for more info - YFM@unityofsa.org.
