This webinar really called to me as we are getting amped up for school, BUT we are still in the “lazy days of summer.” Here are some inspiring ideas about turning those lazy days into easy, simple connecting times with others. We all long for a sense of belonging, especially our kids. AND, we can build independence and resiliency for our kids, while we are at it, by having them help us plan. Watch the webinar and read the recap, there is so much there for us all to learn from!

Here are my follow-up notes from the wonderful webinar on HANGING OUT!

This is an inspiring conversation about rebuilding friendship, creating stronger communities, and rediscovering the simple joy of spending time together in real life. One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation is this: hanging out isn't just fun - it helps kids (and adults!) build confidence, connection, creativity, and a true sense of belonging. In a world where schedules are packed and screens are always competing for attention, making space for unstructured time with friends and neighbors may be one of the most valuable gifts we can give our children.

A few simple next steps (mentioned or inspired by the conversation):

- Encourage your child to invite a friend over or make plans to hang out at a park, playground, or neighborhood spot.

- Get to know your neighbors by organizing a simple get-together, joining a community event, or saying yes to spontaneous connection.

- Leave room in your family's schedule for unstructured time—sometimes the best friendships grow when nothing is planned.

- Help create a community where kids feel welcome to play, explore, and connect independently.

Helpful Let Grow resources:

- Join Let Grow to get their free Independence Kit, Independence Inventory, and more.

- Bring Let Grow Play Club and The Let Grow Experience to your school to help kids build independence, friendships, and real-world confidence. Be sure and get a “Free to Roam license”

- Explore their Community Toolkit - a collection of resources, tips, stories, and links to other organizations spreading independence.

Visit Let Grow If you are curious about Let Grow and the free resources they offer, you will discover more ways to help kids build confidence, independence, meaningful friendships, and stronger communities.

Make It Easy Gathering Ideas from the Webinar Chat:

- Kathy: Chip and I invited 53 homes in our neighborhood to a potluck last week. With only three days’ notice, we had 35 people come. We ate fabulous food outdoors, connected, and watched the kids play in our big backyard. PS It does help that we keep up the roster. PPS Go with your flow and don’t let short notice stop you!

- Susan: Have a “go to menu”: For winter: soup + bread + salad. For summer: grill chicken breasts, salmon or pork tenderloin, fruit, and salad. Guests can bring dessert. Same thing every time.

- Jenn: The friends I gather know that I provide a “big bowl of gluten free, vegan pasta” waiting for them. They can bring anything else they might want to have. I get to hang out, without stress and enjoy!

- Lauren: We have done "pool Fridays" for the past 5-6 years - every Friday, we're here, come when you can. It's a great, low-pressure way to have people over and mix friend groups. The food DOES NOT HAVE TO BE FANCY. Just invite people over.

- Kristine: August 5 is national night out- perfect opportunity to put this into practice

- Sameer: We have game night every few months with other families. I feel pressure to clean the house, but a friend suggested we brand it a "messy house party," and lower the pressure that most of us feel when hosting

- Susan: When we host an alley party, we make a large poster neighborhood map and ask people to fill themselves in + a phone number if they want to! And then I send a picture of it back to everyone who listed their phone number

- Amy: My 11-year-old daughter is starting to see her peers get phones and start going down the YouTube and TikTok rabbit holes. We and the parents of my 11-yr old daughter’s three best friends are getting together creating a “low-tech coalition” amongst their friend group. We’re collaborating on what the rules of the road will be for our kids, so they don’t have to feel left out if they’re the only ones without phones or social media. They’ll always have each other to connect with differently. We emphasize independent decision-making and doing things that make sense even if everyone else is doing something else.

- Susan: Hiking Together: I work part time, my kids are school aged, and I live in Colorado. Once a week during the school year, I organize a hike. We carpool from the public library for a 30-40 minutes’ drive, then a 90-minute hike. With 45 women on the ever-expanding list, we get 3-10 families a week

- Chris: Another stretch idea to consider when kids play soccer…, plan on staying after game and having joint potluck, watermelon etc.

- Alison: My family hosts full moon parties. We have a tiny condo/no yard but there’s a park across the street. Everyone is invited to bring a picnic if they desire so it’s very easy to host and participate