Let Boredom Happen
This one is hard. As a mom, I never like seeing my kids uncomfortable, and I feel the immediate pressure to solve boredom. But honestly, some of the best creativity shows up after kids are given space. I’ve seen boredom lead to fort building, imaginative play, and crafty projects.

There is value in leaving margin instead of constantly trying to fill every quiet moment. Sometimes kids do not need another activity planned for them. Sometimes they just need simplicity.

Connection Over Productivity
At the end of the summer, I don’t think kids are going to remember whether every day was planned perfectly. I think they will remember how they felt. They will remember laughter, catching lightning bugs, bike rides, playing with neighbors, sticky s’more fingers, sleeping in, and cozy movie nights. Most importantly, they will remember feeling connected to the people around them.

That reminder helps me let go of the pressure to “do more.” Yoga teaches us to be present and connected. Sometimes the most meaningful moments are the ones we almost overlook because they seem too ordinary. This summer, maybe the goal is not to create the perfect season, but simply to slow down enough to truly enjoy it together.

One-Minute Summer Reset

Pause where you are and close your eyes. Place one hand on your belly and one on your heart. Take a slow breath in and feel your stomach expand. Exhale slowly while imagining a special memory, a happy place, or a person you love. Repeat this three more times.

When things start to speed up this summer, try this simple reset together as a family.

Rebecca Zaremba is a first-grade teacher, certified yoga instructor and mom of two in Northwest Indiana. With more than 15 years of experience working with children, she is passionate about creating calm, welcoming environments where people feel supported. She teaches yoga through the Crown Point Community Library and Cedar Lake Parks and Recreation. When she's not teaching, she enjoys walking her dog, Violet, traveling, spending time at Lake Michigan and family movie nights.

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What Is Sleep Training — And Why Does It Matter for the Whole Family?

If you’ve ever been up at 2 a.m. bouncing a baby, reheating your coffee for the third time the next morning, and forgetting to brush your teeth again, you’re not alone. One of the hardest parts of early parenthood is getting enough sleep. Between bedtime battles, night wakings, skipped naps, and unpredictable routines, many parents end up feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering if they’re doing something wrong. That’s usually when the late-night internet searching begins.

“How do I get my baby to sleep through the night?”
“Is sleep training harmful?”
“What wake windows should I follow?”
“Should I just follow my baby’s lead?”
“Should I be rocking my baby to sleep?”
“Why can’t I find the same answer in more than one place?”

The internet is filled with advice, different schedules, and methods to try. While some of it can be helpful, it can also leave parents feeling even more confused than when they started searching. One blog says your baby should nap at a specific time, while another says they shouldn’t. One person swears by strict schedules, while another encourages fully child-led routines. Before long, parents begin feeling like they’re failing simply because nothing seems to work or they do not know where to even begin to get their child on a good schedule.

The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep training. Every child is different and every household is different. All families have their own routine, parenting style, comfort level, and values. What works beautifully for one may feel completely unrealistic for another.

Sleep training is not about forcing a child into a rigid schedule that seems impossible to manage or following every piece of advice they have ever been given. It’s about finding a realistic, healthy approach to sleep that supports both the child and the family as a whole.

At its core, sleep training simply means helping a child learn the skills needed to fall asleep independently and stay asleep throughout the night. It focuses on building healthy sleep habits, creating predictable routines where they know what is coming next, and establishing a sleep environment that encourages better rest overall.

Contrary to what many people believe, sleep training does not automatically mean “cry it out.” In fact, that is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding sleep training today. It’s important to remember that crying is a way of communication. Babies and toddlers cry to express a need, feeling, or discomfort because it is the only way they know how to communicate. When teaching a child a new skill or making changes to their routine, some frustration and tears are completely normal and to be expected.

There are many different approaches to sleep training, ranging from gradual, hands-on methods to faster-paced approaches. Some families prefer staying closely involved throughout the process and want it to be a gradual change, while others need quicker results because exhaustion has reached an unsustainable point. Neither choice makes someone a “better” parent. The right approach is the one that aligns with a family’s needs, lifestyle, and comfort level.

Parents today are carrying an incredible amount of pressure. They are expected to work, maintain a household, keep up with social obligations and activities, and somehow function on broken sleep for months, sometimes even years. Society has normalized parental exhaustion so much that many parents feel guilty admitting they are struggling.

But sleep deprivation affects everything. It impacts mental health, patience, emotional regulation, relationships, physical health, and overall well-being. It can make even simple daily tasks feel overwhelming. It can leave parents feeling disconnected from themselves, their partner, and the parenting experience they imagined. Wanting sleep does not make someone selfish, and needing support does not make someone weak. Because parents deserve rest, too.

When children start getting the sleep they need, the whole household benefits. Parents often feel calmer and more confident, bedtime becomes less stressful, and children tend to be more rested, happier, and better regulated.

Sleep affects everyone in the home. That’s why sleep training should never be approached with judgment or unrealistic expectations. Instead, it should be supportive, flexible, and extremely personalized to each family. For some families, that may mean slowly reducing rocking or feeding to sleep. For others, it may mean adjusting schedules, no longer co-sleeping, improving bedtime routines, or teaching independent sleep skills in a gentle, structured way. Sometimes the goal is not a complete transformation, but small, sustainable changes that fit real life.

Some parents work full-time on opposite shifts. Some families have multiple children with different schedules. Some co-sleep, travel frequently, or are navigating daycare transitions, regressions, postpartum recovery, or simply a difficult season of parenting.

No family should feel like they need to fit into a perfect mold to improve their child’s sleep. The goal is not perfection. The goal is support. Sleep training is not about changing who a child is. It’s about helping children build healthy sleep habits while helping parents regain confidence and balance within their home.

While the internet is full of opinions, schedules, and recommendations, it can quickly become overwhelming. At the end of the day, healthy sleep is not just about getting a baby to sleep through the night. It’s about creating a calmer, healthier, and happier environment for the entire family.

Because when families are rested, everything feels a little lighter.

Every parent deserves the opportunity to move beyond simply surviving and begin truly enjoying parenthood. When a family is well-rested, everyone benefits parents and children alike. Sleep training is not about harming a child or forcing perfection; it is about creating healthier, more peaceful routines that support the wellbeing of the entire family. If sleep training feels like the right fit for your family, you should feel confident pursuing it without guilt.

Danielle Surma is a certified pediatric sleep consultant, founder of Gentle Dreamers by Danielle and mother of two living in Crown Point, Ind. With a background in marriage and family therapy and more than a decade of experience supporting children and families, Surma is passionate about helping parents find more rest, confidence and peace at home.

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If summer is slipping by and you still have not planned a vacation, you are not alone. Many families are waiting longer to book trips this year, hoping prices will drop or schedules will finally settle down. The good news is there are still plenty of memorable and surprisingly affordable getaway options available. However, if you are hoping to travel this summer, now is the time to start making plans.

The key is choosing destinations that offer meaningful experiences without requiring a massive budget or complicated itinerary. Sometimes the best summer vacations are the simpler ones: places where families can slow down, reconnect, and make lasting memories together.

Here are a few getaway ideas for those last-minute summer plans.

Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan continues to be one of the best hidden gems for Midwest travelers. Towns like Traverse City, Petoskey, Charlevoix, and Mackinac Island offer beautiful lake views, charming downtowns, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels far removed from everyday life.

Families can spend their days exploring beaches, biking scenic trails, picking cherries at local orchards, or enjoying a sunset cruise. Couples often enjoy the wineries, waterfront dining, and slower pace that make the region feel like a true escape.

The Black Hills of South Dakota
For travelers looking for a more adventurous summer trip, the Black Hills region offers a memorable mix of scenery, history, and outdoor activities.

The area combines iconic destinations like Mount Rushmore with scenic drives, hiking trails, caves, wildlife viewing, and charming western-style towns. Custer State Park is especially popular, with buffalo often roaming close to the road.

The Black Hills are ideal for travelers who value experiences over luxury. Many activities are outdoors and relatively affordable, making it a destination that pleasantly surprises many first-time visitors.

Wisconsin Lake Towns
Not every meaningful vacation requires airports or months of planning. Some of the best summer escapes can be found just a few hours away.

Lake Geneva, Door County, and Wisconsin Dells each offer a different version of a classic Midwest summer getaway. Door County is known for its charming coastal towns, fish boils, cherry pie, and scenic lake views. Lake Geneva offers boating, spas, and walkable downtown areas that are perfect for a couples getaway. Wisconsin Dells remains a favorite for families looking for entertainment and water parks.

National Parks
National parks continue to be one of the most meaningful ways to travel because they naturally encourage people to disconnect from screens and reconnect with each other.

While destinations like Yellowstone and Yosemite often require extensive advance planning, there are still many excellent parks that can work well for a last-minute trip. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Indiana Dunes National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Badlands National Park can all make fantastic summer destinations.

National park vacations also tend to balance costs well. Families can splurge on a unique cabin stay or guided excursion while still enjoying plenty of low-cost activities like hiking, scenic drives, and ranger programs.

Canadian Getaways
For travelers looking for an international feel without traveling too far, Canada can make an excellent last-minute summer option.

Toronto offers big-city energy, incredible food, museums, and waterfront attractions. Montreal and Quebec City feel distinctly European, with historic streets, cafes, and summer festivals. Meanwhile, Niagara-on-the-Lake combines wine-country charm with a slower pace that is perfect for couples.

Depending on airfare prices, driving into Canada can sometimes be a budget-friendly alternative to flying elsewhere during peak travel season. Just remember that a valid passport is required for travel to Canada.

Cruises
Cruises can also offer good value for travelers booking later in the season, especially when departing from drivable ports.

Sailings from places like Galveston, Florida, and East Coast ports may still have last-minute availability. Cruises often work especially well for families because lodging, meals, entertainment, and transportation between destinations are bundled into one price.

For travelers hoping to avoid the stress of planning every detail separately, cruising remains one of the simplest vacation options available.

The Most Important Part of Summer Travel
At the end of the day, the most meaningful vacations are rarely about how expensive they were. They are about shared experiences: watching sunsets over a lake, exploring a new town together, laughing during a road-trip stop, or simply spending uninterrupted time with the people who matter most.

A meaningful summer getaway does not need to be extravagant or perfectly planned. Sometimes it is simply about saying yes to the trip, even if it comes together at the last minute.

And often, those spontaneous vacations become the ones we remember the longest.

Dream big and see the world.

Patrycja Kobak is the owner and lead travel advisor of It's Worth Traveling LLC. Based in Crown Point, Ind., she specializes in helping travelers plan customized vacations, including European travel, destination weddings and honeymoons, cruises, all-inclusive resorts and family vacations.

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June is World Infertility Awareness Month, a reminder of something I've come to know personally: just how common infertility is. People don't always realize how often it shows up in the lives of those around them because it is often unspoken or unseen.

The World Health Organization defines infertility as a disease of the male or female reproductive system characterized by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. According to the WHO, 1 in 6 people globally are affected by infertility, making it one of the most common medical challenges worldwide.

Although every infertility journey is deeply personal and unique, infertility is not a rare experience. It is actually a commonly shared one.

In fact, the International Fertility Awareness Association highlights just how widespread infertility is, stating that for every person experiencing infertility, there is someone within their close circle, whether family, friends or co-workers, who is also affected. It is far more present in our lives than we often realize or piece together (unless you're the one walking through it; then you really realize it).

However, infertility is more than a statistic. Although it is common, it affects everyone differently. It can affect a person's whole being: mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It impacts careers, finances, overall health and daily habits. Depression and anxiety are commonly experienced alongside infertility, adding another layer of weight to an already difficult journey.

And yet, despite how common it is, infertility is still something many people carry quietly. Often, there is a stigma attached to it and a fear of speaking openly. People understandably want to guard their hearts and personal details. It can feel difficult to talk about because no one wants their story turned into gossip or receive unwarranted advice.

Often, even well-meaning people don't know how to respond. I have heard many familiar phrases throughout my journey:

"You're young. You still have time."

"Maybe it's just not God's plan right now."

"Just relax and take a vacation."

"Just adopt." (As if that is somehow an easier route.)

"Once you stop thinking about it, it will happen."

"Use this time to get closer to God."

Most of the time, these comments come from a place of care. But infertility is not something that can be wished away, distracted from or simply spiritually reframed. It is real uncertainty, real loss and real grief that returns month after month.

I am grateful to be in a place I once prayed for within my infertility journey, but that doesn't mean infertility no longer exists in my story or in the lives of so many others still walking through it. I will never forget what it felt like to be in the midst of it. I will never forget the darkness I carried in my heart or the pain and longing that lived there alongside it. The tears. The prayers. The way hope would rise and fall each month, followed by the constant back-and-forth between hopeful anticipation and heartbreak. That emotional roller coaster is something your heart and mind never truly forget.

My personal story included multiple rounds of oral medications and timed intercourse, surgery for cysts and endometriosis, two intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles, two rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF), and three embryo transfers. I experienced the loss of multiple embryos and one chemical pregnancy. In the end, I welcomed two beautiful IVF babies and one naturally conceived child after nine years of trying.

Infertility is not something I simply "went through." It became part of my life story. It reshaped who I am and the people standing beside me.

And while I am deeply thankful for where my journey ultimately led, I am not thankful for my infertility. The pain of infertility does not simply disappear. It is a trauma that stays with you. It becomes part of how you see the world, how you sit with others in their grief, and how you begin to understand just how fragile hope and life itself are.

Looking back, I don't know how I would have made it through my infertility journey without the community I found in other women, support groups and the spiritual encouragement I received along the way. That support carried me in ways I didn't always have the strength to carry myself. Because of that, it has become part of my mission to support other women in their journeys. I want to offer encouragement, resources and a reminder that they are not alone.

Infertility is more than a diagnosis or statistic. It needs to be met with compassion and understanding. It needs safe places where it can be spoken aloud, both to support women and couples walking through it and to raise greater awareness.

Katelynn Wiltjer is a writer, infertility advocate and author from Crown Point, Ind. She serves as content coordinator for Waiting in Hope Infertility Ministries and leads a Waiting in Hope support group at Munster Church for individuals and couples navigating infertility and pregnancy loss.

Wiltjer is the author of "The Wilted Flower: Navigating the Negative Emotions of Infertility Through Reflection, Prayer, and Journaling."

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