BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Summer isn’t just a season; it’s a state of mind. It’s a break from routine, a burst of light, and a golden opportunity to deepen family connection. The trick? You don’t need plane tickets or Pinterest-level planning. With just a bit of intention, you can create a season of joy, growth, and cherished memories. Here’s how to turn “just another summer” into your best one yet. 1. Build daily connection through shared joy  Summer magic isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about everyday moments. Whether you’re kicking off your sandals to run through sprinklers or stargazing in the backyard, make it a goal to laugh and play with your child every single day. Don’t worry about curating a magazine-worthy activity. As long as it brings you closer, it counts. Let go of the pressure to entertain, and instead, embrace the small, silly, spontaneous fun that makes summer feel so free. 2. Strike a balance between freedom and structure  Kids crave relaxation but not chaos. A flexible routine gives them security while still leaving room for lazy afternoons and impromptu adventures. Keep it simple: mornings might include tidying the house together or reading after lunch, with afternoons reserved for play and creative time. Involving kids in meal prep and chores gives them a sense of purpose and contribution. And yes, even toddlers can “wash” plasticware or help set the table. By the time they’re older, they’ll be roasting veggies like pros. 3. Choose calm over chaos—on purpose  Your mood sets the tone for the household. If you’re frazzled, your kids feel it and act accordingly. Even if you’re juggling work and logistics, find small ways to decompress and savor summer. Maybe it’s five minutes in the sun with your coffee, or trading your usual to-do list for a simple “today’s top 3.” When you’re more relaxed, your kids are, too. That peace? It’s contagious. 4. Give kids the gift of boredom  Contrary to popular belief, “I’m bored” is not a crisis. It’s an opening. Resist the urge to fill every empty hour with plans. Instead, allow space for daydreaming, tinkering, and unstructured play. When kids learn to enjoy their own company without devices, they develop creativity, patience, and self-regulation. A little boredom is a gateway to big imagination. 5. Encourage something new (and maybe a little weird)  Summer is the ultimate testing ground for fresh hobbies and experiments. It’s the perfect time to try that weird instrument, build a birdhouse, write a comic book, or learn how to juggle. The point isn’t mastery, it’s discovery. “New experiences help kids grow in focus, resilience, and self-confidence,” and you might just discover a new family passion project in the process. 6. Set clear tech boundaries (and stick to them)  Screens are sneaky: one episode turns into four, and suddenly half the day is gone. Instead of banning tech altogether, try creating screen “zones”: clear times when devices are allowed and when they’re not. Outside of those windows, encourage your child to dive into independent play, crafts, outdoor time, or reading. You’ll be amazed how quickly they adjust and how many creative solutions they invent when the Wi-Fi’s off. 7. Read together, every day  Books aren’t just academic tools; they’re time machines, empathy-builders, and boredom busters. Carve out time each day for reading, whether it’s a shared bedtime story or 20 quiet minutes with a new chapter book. Reading aloud fosters connection and expands vocabularies. And when kids fall in love with stories, they’re more likely to read on their own. Want help picking books? Your local librarian is a goldmine. 8. Make emotional intelligence a summer subject  School teaches math and spelling. Summer can teach feelings. Use downtime to model emotional literacy: name your emotions, talk through conflict calmly, and encourage kids to share their inner world. Ask questions like, “What did that feel like?” or “What do you need right now?” Emotional intelligence doesn’t require long lectures. Real conversations will do the trick. And yes, roughhousing and laughter totally count. 9. Schedule memories, not just activities  Want to make the summer unforgettable? Put it on the calendar. During dinner, ask everyone to name one thing they want to do this season, then build your summer bucket list together. Adventures don’t need to be expensive: a backyard water day, an evening hike to watch the sunset, or a DIY family Olympics can be just as magical as a big vacation. Toast each family member when their idea happens, and take lots of photos. 10. End with a celebration of it all  As Labor Day approaches, take time to reflect. Print out your favorite photos and let everyone help create a family summer album. Look back on the highs, the unexpected twists, and even the “disasters” that turned into hilarious memories. This simple tradition can anchor your family with joy and gratitude and keep summer alive in your hearts long after school starts. Final thoughts  This summer, forget perfection. Focus on presence. A little effort goes a long way when it comes to creating joy, connection, and memories your kids will carry for life. As George R.R. Martin wrote, “Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.” So go ahead—make it count.  The post 10 surprisingly doable ways to make this your family’s best summer ever first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A transformative $50 million [AUD] donation to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is set to establish the world’s largest endometriosis research institute. Named the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (AERI), the initiative will focus on faster diagnosis, innovative treatments, and a more personalized understanding of a disease that affects millions globally. “This major partnership positions Australia as a global leader in endometriosis research and women’s health,” UNSW announced, highlighting the donation as the largest ever for both endometriosis research and women’s health in Australia. Turning a personal condition into a global priority Endometriosis is a chronic disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, often causing severe pain, inflammation, and fertility complications. One in seven Australian women is expected to develop the condition by the age of 44. Yet despite its widespread impact, diagnosis remains frustratingly delayed: the average time to receive a diagnosis is around seven years. This announcement brings new hope to the more than 200 million people estimated to live with endometriosis worldwide. The institute will collaborate with scientists and clinicians across the globe, including in England, Canada, Denmark, India, and the United States. A research shift toward precision care Jason Abbott, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UNSW and the institute’s incoming clinical director, has been treating patients with endometriosis for over three decades. For him, AERI represents a chance to replace the current “dogmatic” approach to treatment with one that’s grounded in biology and tailored to individuals. “The priorities really are to focus in on scientific discovery and biological basis of endometriosis groups as a disease … and then really put that into clinical practice,” Abbott explained. He hopes this will finally bring consistency to a field that has long offered patients a patchwork of differing opinions and strategies. Hope for millions around the world The Endometriosis Coalition, Australia’s leading advocacy group for the condition, praised the announcement as a game-changer. “Endometriosis … costs the Australian economy an estimated $9.7 billion annually,” the group noted, emphasizing that investment has historically been “fragmented and underfunded.” Jessica Taylor, the coalition’s chair, echoed a sentiment long voiced by patients and advocates alike: “We have always said if we want a cure, we must first understand the disease. Today’s announcement answers that call and backs it with a dedicated research institute.” The timing is especially meaningful. This year, the World Economic Forum recognized endometriosis as one of nine diseases that most significantly affect women and the global economy. With the AERI set to receive its funding over the next decade, the initiative marks a new chapter in the understanding and treatment of endometriosis, and a powerful reminder that investing in women’s health is investing in a healthier, more equitable world.The post Record-breaking donation launches global hub for endometriosis research in Sydney first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Pro-life leaders reacted with outrage at Pete Buttigieg's comment and said his perspective "undermines the value of women."

'Follow your rhetoric with actions'

If you have ever tried to cook a steak at home before, you know that this task is no walk in the park. Steak seems to be a lot trickier to cook than poultry or fish. When you overcook a chicken breast for a few minutes, the difference in taste is hardly noticeable. Steak, on... The post According to science, cooking your steak frozen leads to the tastiest steak. Here’s why appeared first on Shareably.

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers sure are tasty, but now, they may be dangerous. The company recently issued a recall after it learned that one of the ingredients in the crackers was recalled due to the possible presence of salmonella. The company released a statement about the recall. “Pepperidge Farm has been notified by one of... The post After Salmonella Contamination, Pepperidge Farms Issues Recall On Popular Childhood Snack appeared first on Shareably.

Agosto, setembro e outubro são os melhores meses para comprar morangos! A colheita é abundante, os morangos estão docinhos, vermelhos e suculentos, e os preços ficam ainda mais baixos nesta época do ano. Para nossa sorte, alguns agricultores decidiram compartilhar suas dicas para manter os morangos frescos por muito mais tempo! Quando descobrir a facilidade... The post Agricultores Revelam Segredo Para Manter Os Morangos Frescos Por Semanas Após A Compra appeared first on Shareably.

Do you ever feel like you’re addicted to cheese? That you can’t live without it? Maybe your love of mozzarella doesn’t count as a psychological problem, but the average American consumes 39 pounds of cheese a year, so something has to explain that excess. In 2015, scientists released a study suggesting that some professed foods... The post According To Study, Cheese Is As Addictive As Heroin appeared first on Shareably.

When it comes to side dishes, mashed potatoes are a worldwide favorite that goes along with just about every meal we can conceive of. That being said, as simple-seeming as it is to boil some potatoes and mash them into a delectable, creamy treat to accompany your main dish, there is a lot that can... The post Avoid Making This All Too Common Mistake When Making Your Mashed Potatoes appeared first on Shareably.

With every Thanksgiving that passes, the same old dishes sometimes get a bit dry year after year. Modifying old recipes into something new has the potential to revolutionize your thanksgiving dinner table for years to come. A new recipe that has been circulating the web that has this potential is a recipe for a bacon-wrapped... The post Revolutionize your Thanksgiving this year with bacon wrapped turkey appeared first on Shareably.