| News - Parenting |
Oh, the Places I've Been
By Glenn A. Hascall
Are you finding it more difficult than ever to really have a traditional family vacation? Airfare is higher than it's ever been and because fuel prices are so high it is becoming more challenging to plan lengthy road trips. Recreational Vehicles (RV's) are very expensive to purchase and costly to maintain. Many families may be thinking the family vacation is no longer a realistic part of family life.
If your family is feeling a bit deprived in the 'vacation' department, it may be time to radically alter your definition of the term.
There may well be a town in your immediate region that provides a multitude of tourist sites. You may or may not have visited these sites before, but they could provide the perfect opportunity for a day long trip that could be the kick-off to a unique getaway.
If you like to pitch a tent and camp outdoors, but finances are an issue, you could visit with a farmer or rancher you may be acquainted with about possibly setting up a temporary campsite near a creek on their property, or for something really different, pitch your tents in your own living room and allow the microwave to help you make smores.
Conduct a family water fight in the back yard, enjoy a local museum, go swimming at a municipal pool in your area, load all your things in the car and drive around the block, get out and unload it again, do the craziest, funniest, off-the-wall type of things you can think of and do it in the name of family memories.
If you project a 'Sad Sack' image to your children, they will begin to feel deprived because they didn't make it to Twelve Flags over Mickeyville. All parents desire to spend time with their families doing something special as part of a family vacation. Maybe the answer is right on your living room floor.
Most children will not ultimately care if you had to hock Grandma's wedding ring in order to take them to an amusement park - what they will remember is a gift only you can give - TIME. While it doesn't cost much it comes at a great price.
Dream up a creative name for your regionalized vacation and make your own home the hotel. Play it to the hilt and even if your children seem a bit uncertain when the adventure begins, they are likely to catch your enthusiasm and recall the year you had the best vacation ever - at home.