Aug 13, 2021
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 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. 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. 77: Comparison is the Thief of (Parenting) Joy
Ep. 82: Sibling Conflict, Pt. 1
Ep. 86: Conflict Resolution Skills for Siblings (and Everyone Else!)