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BeSmartLegal.com | 419-LAW-2020 | May 2026
SAME BOAT SUMMER
The Rinehardt kids (Aaron, Rachel, and Hannah) with a friend at Cedar Point
As the school year winds down, there’s a familiar shift in energy. Kids are counting down the days, backpacks get a little lighter, and summer starts to feel just within reach. As parents, though, that excitement is often mixed with a different set of thoughts, such as how to keep everyone engaged, how to balance work and family time, and how to make the most of a season that always seems to go by too quickly. When my kids were little, we made one simple change every summer. We turned the TV off. Not completely … they could still watch movies (we went from VCR tapes to DVDs over the years), but we avoided regular television. At the time, it wasn’t some big philosophical decision. We just wanted a break from the constant noise like ads, endless shows, and content we didn’t always feel great about. What I remember most isn’t the rule itself, but what filled the space instead. There was more boredom at first … and then more creativity. More time outside. More interaction, sometimes wonderful, sometimes not. And if I’m being honest, it didn’t magically make me a more patient parent. In fact, some days
I think I missed the TV more than they did! There were still plenty of moments where I reacted too quickly or tried to control the situation instead of stepping back and understanding what was really going on. Looking back, I realize the larger lesson wasn’t about screen time at all. It was about how I showed up in those moments, especially when things weren’t going smoothly. One of our case managers, Carrie, recently shared something that really resonated with me: As parents, we sometimes approach things like we’re in charge of everything, instead of remembering we’re learning right alongside our kids. That perspective shift is humbling. It’s easy to expect patience, flexibility, and emotional control from our children, but much harder to practice those same things ourselves in the middle of a busy, imperfect day. Summer has a way of bringing all of that to the surface. With less structure and more time together, we have more opportunities for connection, but also more opportunities for frustration. For working parents, the added layer of coordinating camps, child care, vacations, and schedules can make it feel like a full-time job on top of your full-time job … with a calendar that somehow becomes more complicated than it was during the school year. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, we have the pressure to make summer feel special, to create memories, plan activities, and get it “right.” But maybe that’s not really what our kids need most.
Summer looks a little different now than it did years ago. Screens are everywhere, schedules are fuller, and life feels faster in many ways. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and what worked for one family, or one season of life, may not work for another. What does seem to carry through, though, is something simpler. Our kids don’t need a perfect summer. They need a present parent, someone who can pause before reacting, who can choose connection over control when it matters, and who can extend a little grace, to them and to themselves. Some of the best summer memories aren’t the ones we plan. They’re the ones that happen in between … the unstructured moments, the unexpected laughter, even the challenges that, in hindsight, brought us closer. In fact, many of them start with “I’m bored” … and end in something you couldn’t have planned if you tried. As we head into another summer, maybe the goal isn’t to do it all or get it all right. Maybe it’s just to remember that we’re all in this together, figuring it out as we go, in the same boat. 1 Rinehardt Law | BeSmartLegal.com -Hillary Rinehardt
of room for kids to explore, it offers something for everyone. The park’s namesake, “high banks” rising above the Olentangy River, makes it especially beautiful. Whether you’re taking a peaceful walk, wearing out little ones on the trails, or just enjoying fresh air after a busy week, Highbanks is always a great choice. 🚲 Richland B&O Trail If your family likes to move, the Richland B&O Trail is a great option for walking, biking, or jogging. With paved paths and plenty of access points, it’s an easy way to enjoy the outdoors while getting a little exercise. Sometimes a bike ride and an ice cream stop afterward are all you
the kids help make homemade lemonade. Spreading out a puzzle on a rainy afternoon. Reading books outside under a tree. Taking an evening walk after the heat of the day has passed. Staying up a little later to catch fireflies or look for stars. Even everyday routines can feel special with a small twist. Turn on music while cleaning the kitchen. Let everyone choose a favorite meal for “family dinner night.” Have a water balloon contest in the driveway. Make sundaes on a random Tuesday. Bring out board games after dark. Start a summer bucket list on the refrigerator and cross off simple ideas as you go. For older kids, simple can look different. A coffee run together in the morning. Hitting golf balls at the range. Going for ice cream. Shooting hoops in the driveway. Watching a movie together after dinner. Inviting a 🦉 Ohio Bird Sanctuary – Mansfield One of Richland County’s hidden treasures, the Ohio Bird Sanctuary offers a peaceful and memorable experience for kids and adults alike. Visitors can see owls, hawks, falcons, and other birds of prey up close while learning about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. One of the most fun features is the walk-through aviary, where smaller birds may land nearby as you feed them. It’s educational, relaxing, and just the right size for an easy summer visit. 🌳 Kingwood Center Gardens – Mansfield A beautiful place to stroll, slow down, and appreciate the season, Kingwood Center Gardens is a local favorite for good reason. The grounds are stunning in the summer, with colorful blooms, fountains, and winding paths that feel like a quick escape without leaving town. It’s ideal for a morning walk, a quiet solo visit, or bringing guests who are in town for the weekend. 🌲 Highbanks Metro Park – Columbus For our Columbus readers, Highbanks is one of the best places to enjoy nature without leaving the city. With shaded hiking trails, scenic overlooks, open meadows, and plenty
2 Rinehardt Law | BeSmartLegal.com instead of at the kitchen table. Breakfast on the porch. Popsicles after lunch. Letting Some of the moments children remember most are often the simplest … the ones that feel different from the ordinary rhythm of the school year. They don’t require reservations, a long drive, or a big budget. They just require a little intention. A picnic dinner in the backyard can feel like an event when dinner is served on a blanket Summer has a way of making us feel like we should be doing more. More outings. More plans. More activities. More memory-making. It’s easy to look around and think everyone else is filling their calendars with exciting adventures while we’re just trying to figure out what to make for dinner and whether there are enough towels for the pool. But a meaningful summer doesn’t have to be a packed one. You don’t have to plan a big trip to enjoy everything summer has to offer. Sometimes, the best way to reset, reconnect, or simply fill an afternoon is to explore a few of the gems right in our own backyard. Whether you have kids in tow, want to bring the dog, or are just looking for a change of scenery, these local favorites make it easy to enjoy the season close to home. 🌿 The Dawes Arboretum – Newark If you’re craving a slower pace, The Dawes Arboretum is worth the drive. With beautiful gardens, wooded trails, open green spaces, and scenic drives through the grounds, it’s the kind of place that invites you to exhale. You can walk as much, or as little, as you’d like, making it great for all ages and energy levels. Bring a picnic, pack water, and enjoy an afternoon surrounded by nature. It’s also dog-friendly, which makes it a perfect outing for four-legged family members. Easy Summer Outings Close to Home Local Favorites
need to make the day feel like summer. 🐾 Your Neighborhood Park
Never underestimate the simple joy of a local park. A playground, a basketball court, a shady bench, or room to toss a ball can be enough to change the tone of the day. Kids burn energy, adults get fresh air, and everyone benefits from stepping away from the usual routine for a while. Summer doesn’t always need a suitcase or a detailed itinerary. Sometimes, the best memories are made close to home, with a little sunshine, a change of scenery, and the decision to say yes to a simple adventure.
A SIMPLE SUMMER
(THAT STILL FEELS SPECIAL)
friend along for an errand and turning it into an outing. None of these moments is elaborate, but that’s part of their charm. They create pauses in the day, small breaks from rushing, scrolling, and schedules. They give families a chance to laugh, talk, and enjoy one another in ways that often get lost during the busyness of the school year. If you’re feeling pressure to make this summer unforgettable, it may help to redefine what that means. It doesn’t have to be expensive, perfectly planned, or photo-worthy. Sometimes, the most memorable days are the ones with sticky popsicle fingers, wet towels on the floor, and everyone laughing over something unexpected. A simple summer is still a special summer. In many ways, it may be the kind everyone remembers most.
A Little Structure Goes a Long Way FINDING SUMMER RHYTHM
One of the biggest shifts in summer is the loss of routine. While that freedom is part of what makes the season fun, it can also make days feel a little unpredictable, for both kids and parents. The good news is that structure doesn’t have to mean a packed schedule. Even a loose rhythm to the day can make a big difference:
• A consistent morning routine • A general plan for the afternoon • A regular bedtime (with a little flexibility, of course)
For working parents, this can be especially helpful. Knowing what the day will roughly look like, even if it changes, can reduce stress and help everyone feel more grounded. The goal isn’t to control every moment. It’s simply to create enough consistency that the day feels manageable. A little structure doesn’t take away from summer; it helps everyone enjoy it more.
DIRECTIONS 1. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan.
2. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat until it starts to foam, about 3 minutes. 3. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook, stirring constantly with a silicone spatula, until the bubbling stops and the little specks of milk solids begin to turn golden, another 2–3 minutes. Watch carefully at this stage; you want the milk solids to go from golden to a medium-dark brown, but not black. 4. Immediately turn off the heat and add the marshmallows and salt to the pot to stop the butter from cooking any further. 5. Stir to coat all the marshmallows in the hot, browned butter until they’re well coated and begin to soften, about 1 minute. 6. Return heat to low and stir until the marshmallows are almost smooth (some small lumps are okay), 1–2 minutes more. 7. Be patient at this stage; you want the marshmallows to melt evenly and gently, softening all the way through without reaching a boil. (If you apply too much heat, the sugars can caramelize and you could end up with harder Rice Krispies treats.) Turn off the heat. 8. Stir in the vanilla. 9. Add the cereal and, using a large silicone spatula, fold the mixture until all the cereal is coated. 10. Pour into the prepared baking pan. 11. Using the spatula, gently push and spread the cereal out to fill the pan. (For the most delicate, fluffiest treats, avoid pressing down, as you don’t want to pack them in.) 12. While still warm, top the treats with rainbow sprinkles and a very light sprinkle of flaky salt, if using. 13. Let cool for at least 30 minutes to set before cutting. 14. Once cool, remove from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. 15. Using a serrated knife, cut it into a 4-by-4 grid to make 16 squares. 16. Treats keep best for up to 5 days, stored in an airtight container at room temperature. 17. Enjoy!
BEST RICE KRISPIES TREATS These classic treats are salty-sweet and the perfect balance of crispy, gooey, soft, and chewy. This version is enhanced by deeply browned butter. But here, a good amount of salt balances out the sweetness and includes a secret to achieving the perfect texture: The marshmallows are cooked gently to prevent the sugars from caramelizing, which can turn your treats hard and dry. You can easily double this recipe, and use a 9-by-13 pan, but you’ll end up with slightly taller treats (which is not a bad thing). The rainbow sprinkles are optional but highly recommended!
INGREDIENTS • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter plus extra for greasing • 1 (12-oz) bag marshmallows (preferably standard size)
• 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal • Rainbow sprinkles (optional) • Flaky salt (optional)
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INSIDE THIS EDITION
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When School Lets Out, Real Life Kicks In 2 Summer Adventures Close to Home The Magic of an Uncomplicated Summer 3 Summer Without the Stress Best Rice Krispies Treats 4 Summer Calendar
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