Education Today: Staying Motivated As A Parent During The Summer Months

By Sharlonda Buckman, CEO, Detroit Parent Network

During the school year, parents face many well-defined responsibilities including getting their children to school on time every day. When we reach summer, it's easy to feel like they can take a vacation from parenting because there isn't the pressure of the school day crunch.

I want to offer a constructive way for families to take advantage of the change in routine and stay motivated. These less scheduled summer months offer families an amazing opportunity to get to know your children better. Here are three things that any family can do to stay motivated:

Make a date with your child -- spend time every day having conversations with your children about their goals. Knowing what makes them tick will help them stay on the path to their dreams.

Start a family tradition -- you could start taking a "family walk" around the neighborhood or have Taco Tuesdays; what the tradition is matters less than just doing it.

Be a cheerleader for your family -- parents need to stay motivated, too. Have a family vision and enlist each member to play a role in achieving your family's goals.