The summer will soon end and with it many additional opportunities to connect with your kids. Summer months and no school often mean more family and fun time. Sudden periods of inactivity may mean your teen will be hanging around the house occasionally. Don't miss this chance -to connect.

Moments that might have been shared go un-lived. Did you laugh when your teens cracked a joke and complimented them on their keen sense of humor? Have you missed a perfect time to praise your daughter for the way she handled a difficult neighborhood kid? How about that attempt your son made to help another kid in need? You did congratulate them for caring, didn't you?

Have you grabbed your teen and said, "Let's do lunch"? Did you invite your teen to fill in for your bowling or card partner while they were away? If not, why not?

I hope you took advantage of some late night quiet moments in the summer air to talk with your young person. Some things that cannot be faced by day can be explored at night. The soft moonlight, light breezes, chirping crickets, and rhythmic swinging can calm souls and open hearts. You may discover you have something wonderful to share and actually "have a moment".

On-going, in-depth discussions that usually turn to arguments are suddenly easier to tackle. So before summer ends, connect with your teen. Explore a fun place together, or say the words that really count, or discover the good qualities about that young person who shares your home.

Don't let opportunity get away from you without taking a chance to improve the relationship that busy school schedules strain. Get away this summer; visit an exotic location called family harmony. Return again and again until it feels familiar as home.

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel