It’s been a nice winter. Decent weather. Not too cold for my first season back in Canada. It’s no Miami…but it’s definitely been refreshing. This is the time of year when spring is just around the corner, and everybody is ready to transition into a new mode. I think I can speak for most people when I say that I’m ready to shake off the winter and get ready for some sunshine!

I remember when I was young, March Break was always that sign that the school year was almost done…almost. It was so important to have that week off to relax and refresh. We didn’t realize it at the time, but we probably physically needed that rest before finishing off the school year. I didn’t do much during March Break as a child, but hang around and just enjoy my time off with my friends.

The NBA just came back from our All-Star break, and even those few days were completely necessary to unwind and rejuvenate, both physically and mentally. Whether it’s school, professional sports, or office work, it is crucial that our time “off” is still spent wisely.

I worry about the kids of this generation sometimes. They are growing up so different than we did! I find too much, they rely on video games and the internet for entertainment and I think children really deserve to interact with one another face-to-face and take a break from the screens and buttons sometimes!

There is so much to do in our city of Toronto—so many attractions and landmarks. There are the obvious and popular attractions like the ROM and the Science Centre (which never seem to get old), and then there are the underrated landmarks and locations that can easily be forgotten. There are so many inexpensive (if any expense at all!) ways to entertain yourself and your children in Toronto.

Don’t get me wrong, I used to play Atari and Nintendo with the best of them, but I don’t think it was nearly to the extent of how kids are consumed by video games and social media now. There’s nothing wrong with having entertainment, but when an opportunity like March Break comes up…and there’s a direct chance for kids to get out of the formal classroom and learn on their own; we have to make sure they have something constructive to do and exciting things to see.

When I was young, I wasn’t familiar with all of the sights of our city. Now that I’m playing for the home team and spending a lot more time in Toronto—particularly downtown—I am actually awestruck by what I see and what I encounter. I’m really enjoying it: Libertyville and the Harbourfront…Kensington Market and the modernized corner of Yonge and Dundas, or Yonge and Bloor. There is a new electricity!

Parents, I encourage you to continue to do your part. Take advantage of our beautiful surroundings and let your kids see what the city has to offer. March Break doesn’t have to be about a trip to DisneyWorld or anything extravagant, but it can be an opportunity to help kids develop their social skills (away from the digital screens) and develop critical thinking by exploring new things. It’s a break from school, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a break from learning.

Set up a daily itinerary for your kids that even you will enjoy—places that you will learn from as well. Start new traditions and set new March Break standards. The seasons are about to change, and it will be a good refresher for all!