Put Down Your Phone… and Make Memories This Summer!

Recently, Terry Pluto, an award-winning Cleveland sportswriter, honed in on some key pieces of advice for this year’s graduates to take with them as they venture out into “the real world”.  In Terry’s column dated June 8, 2024, “Put down the cellphone. Go to work. Wisely pick friends”, he highlighted the best tips for graduates he received from his readers’ submissions. Best of all, Terry also included a few of his own personal anecdotes and insights for each of the pieces of advice he shared in the column.  Communicating, following up, putting down the cell phone, and choosing friends were among the excellent suggestions he highlighted in his piece.

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GMB applauds this timely column and the commonsense wisdom that Terry has shared not only with graduates, but also with all of us who can use a mental refresh!

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Terry’s top submitted tips by readers for graduates about the importance of good communication included:

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“There are times when conversations (phone or in-person) are required and vital.  Body language and tone of voice can make the message clearer. How many times have all of us watched a conversation via text or email go poorly because we miss the context of the comment?  Please… PLEASE… put down the cellphone for a while each day.”

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“...Always be positive and never stop pursuing your dreams and ambitions.  If you have a positive attitude, you will attract positive people.  The opposite is also true…”

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“There is no greater comfort than a friend’s love and caring.  In times of struggle, you learn who your real friends are.  Support can come from the most unexpected places.”

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You can read Terry’s full article of advice for graduates here at Put down the cellphone. Go to work. Wisely pick friends – Terry Pluto’s Faith & You (msn.com)

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Thank you, Terry!  We thoroughly enjoyed reading this article for grads which really aligns with our main message here at GMB – Disconnect from The Digital™ and reconnect with those who matter most.

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At Grandparent Merit Badges, we acknowledge that life can be full of digital distractions often preventing us from tending to our relationships with family and loved ones and keeping us from more important things.

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This summer is full of opportunities for spending time with family members… having a 4th of July picnic, attending a family reunion, engaging in a cross-country trip, or even just playing at a local park…the list of possibilities is endless.

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Part of GMB’s great work is to create and share wonderful activity books that encourage everyone to spend more personal time together, make quality memories and work on activities with loved ones in meaningful ways. When we come across other writers, journalists (like Terry Pluto!), podcasters (like Daley Josey! Aging With Grace 55+), bloggers, do-ers (Charlie Jeffers! Pass The Bricks), and others celebrating these sentiments, we stop to acknowledge them and say, “Yes!”

How great is our need to Disconnect from The Digital™?

In Jonathan Haidt’s new book The Anxious Generation, he “suggests that age 16 be the “new norm” for introducing social media and argues that delaying smartphone use to high school could be the solution to the mounting teen-mental-health-crisis.” (Krieger, The Social Lives of the Teens Who Don’t Have Phones (thecut.com)

At GMB, we aren’t the only ones who see the value in unplugging and taking control of the truly valuable time in your life!

So how do we connect with each other?

• Make your own summer bucket list!
• Check out our other blogs! We like to give ideas on how to connect and make new memories.  
• The Grandparent Merit Badges™ activity books, in both English and Spanish, give you great activity ideas that lead to hours of good old-fashioned fun and memories!  
• Check out our Facebook page! We regularly post activities and lots of ideas to encourage you to be with your loved ones, year-round and offline!  Remember to follow us and like our page to keep up with and hear news about our exciting newly published books!

Summering with Loved Ones!

Break out the BBQ tongs and get your summer on with your loved ones.  BBQing and pitching in with meal prep and food can be a fun task for anyone, young or old.  Teens and children can help with marinating meats, cutting watermelon and fruit salads, and setting tables outdoors.  

With expected hot temperatures, keeping everyone cool and hydrated are important factors for planned activities. That includes your four-legged family members who also want to spend quality time together with you!  We have a Grandparent Merit Badges book for Dog Lovers!

According to American Kennel Club, some favorite activities for our furry friends that beat the heat include:

• Make frozen dog treats. https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgrandparentmeritbadges%2Fposts%2Fpfbid025x4G4iT53WvsW4w515BBQirUTP7fdm7tuKVm3yG8yRuF8qw1qQ8x72TRPHswQ9ial&show_text=true&width=500
• Enjoy a picnic with pup.
• Take your dog to the lake or the river.

And there are more wonderful suggestions here Outdoor Activities for Dogs: Dog-Friendly Summer Things to Do (akc.org)

In this month dedicated to our great country, let’s take some time out and time together to find new ways to connect with each other in more personal ways.  We celebrate all that makes us love this nation, our families, each other, and the things that strengthen us in the fabric of humanity...our human bonds with each other!

‍Happy Summering!