AT LAST-SUMMERTIME!

JUNE 2025 – MOM2MOMS

Start spreading the news—summer is coming your way!

Summer is by far my favorite time of the year: more sunny days, extra time with family, and plenty of opportunities for reading and dancing under the starry skies.

Summer is the time to unwind. Roll down your car windows, turn up your favorite Spotify playlist or radio station, and sing your heart out. Lately, I’ve been loving “Dance the Night” by Dua Lipa from the Barbie movie. And who doesn’t love Barbie? The moment the song comes on, you just want to stop everything and sing along. But don’t dance alone—grab your kiddo and do a spin! Fun, spontaneous, and totally chill. Another favorite by Dua Lipa is “Houdini.” I love its rhythm and energy and it even makes grilling more fun! Plus, my child learned about the real Houdini, which was a fun bonus.

Summer also gives us more time to read. Did you know that summer reading is essential for children to maintain and improve their reading skills? It helps prevent a phenomenon called the “summer slide,” where students lose progress over the break. Research shows that reading at least six books over the summer can help kids maintain—or even improve—their skills. Giving children access to books fosters a positive attitude toward reading and builds lifelong habits.

If your kids are resisting books, try making reading more fun: read together, read aloud, create a reading challenge, or promise an extra ice cream or more pool time as a reward. In this case, a little bribery can go a long way. Got a road trip coming up? Split screen time with reading time. Set a timer if you need to, and once reading time is up, talk about what they read. These activities not only support brain development but also make the trip feel shorter and more engaging as a family.

And for you MOMS—don’t forget to check out my book, The One and Only by Sofya Stearns. You won’t regret it—and you can thank me later!

At the end of the day, make this season count.

La Dolce Vita! Happy Summertime—enjoy life to the fullest!

Until next month!