[ENCORE] Ep. 52: 9 Ways to Help Kids Process Summer Camp and Other Experiences
In Episode 52, Sara Kuljis and I chat about ways to help our kids process experiences. The ideas work for post-summer camp debriefing but also for our kids' other adventures and experiences. Sara is a 20-year veteran camp director and parenting trainer who has great insights and ideas about parenting and counseling kids. Sara, with her husband Steve, owns and directs Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp, a Christian adventure camp for children ages 8 to 16 years old founded 45 years ago by Sara's parents Jim and Marna Slevcove. Together, the Kuljises also direct Emerald Cove Day Camp in San Juan Capistrano, a day camp that serves children from kindergarten through 4th grade. 9 Ways to Help Kids Process Experiences Plan time to rest/process. Listen to their stories. Look through photos together. Ask thoughtful questions: • What did you enjoy/love? • What was challenging? • When (not if!) you do it again, what will you do differently? Avoid "interviewing for pain" (Wendy Mogel). Bring home a ritual or tradition: • Flower Sundays • WOWs • Goodnight Song Continue with an interest that's been sparked (archery, guitar, etc.). Create a remembrance. Encourage kids to stay in touch with new friends. Books We Talked About Off the Clock, Laura Vanderkam Blessing of a Skinned Knee, Wendy Mogel Blessing of a B-, Wendy Mogel Like listening to Sara and Audrey chat? Here are our other podcast episodes! https://sunshine-parenting.com/2019/04/ep-85-grit-is-grown-outside-the-comfort-zone-pegtalk/ Ep. 3: Raising Resilient, Independent Kids Ep. 7: Family Pace & Space Ep. 23: Peaceful Mornings Ep. 28: Focusing on Our Kids' Strengths Ep. 37: How to Get Ready for Overnight Summer Camp Ep. 39: How to Handle Your Camper's Homesickness Ep. 57: The Importance of Adult Friendships Ep. 63: Growing Gratitude Ep. 77: Comparison is the Thief of (Parenting) Joy Ep. 82: Sibling Conflict, Pt. 1 Ep. 86: Conflict Resolution Skills for Siblings (and Everyone Else!)