This post originally appeared on our ParentSquare Learning Network blog on July 2, 2020.
Written by Laura Steinbrink — Educator, Communications Director, Technology Coach, and Author of https://rockntheboat.com/
As educators, we know how important family is to student success, and having been remote learning at home for three months, a summer at home feels the same as school — the role of parents as teachers may have even strained the family dynamic a bit.
Even if you can’t go on a big vacation, we know students and families need renewal, change, and to just recharge after a tough end to the school year. Now that thoughts of vacation for many of us have bubbled to the surface, we face another challenge.
The current pandemic has put a damper on vacation plans for many, but there are always those summers or that year where a vacation just isn’t possible, for whatever reason. This does not have to be the end of the world, though — for teachers, parents or children.
We all need a vacation, now more than ever, but how can we pull it off so that the whole family can feel that vacation vibe? If we examine what makes a vacation fun for the whole family, four ingredients emerge as essential for parents and children to get that fun vacay feel without the vacay. In my house, we call it, “Family Fun Day.”
Take Time off From Work
(I am violating this, as I write this in the car on my way to a staycation weekend.)
This is essential not only for the parents, who need time away from the demands of their jobs, but also for the children.
During the business of the school year, we parents spend a lot of time away from our children. We try to make the time we do have with them count, but our work and their homework can intrude upon our evening family time. Our children need our attention, love, and sense of fun and adventure as much as we need time away from work to recharge.
Therefore, to have a successful staycation experience, leave the work at home (as much as you are able to do so). Focus on your family by soaking up those moments that become scrapbooked memories, forever captured mentally in all those gloriously fun details. Be present with your crew, participate fully, and keep work as removed as possible from this expedition.
Go Somewhere
I know. If it’s a staycation, then why am I saying you need to go somewhere? Because traveling is part of the adventure and fun.
If you aren’t big on traveling in general, then put your fun Mom or Dad hat on and buckle up. This is for the kids, and they enjoy the adventure of going somewhere. Anywhere. Even if it’s just for an hour or two, go somewhere.
My family likes to go to places around where we live that we take for granted or never have the time to visit or see. There are plenty of state parks and recreation areas, museums, and other interesting places for you to visit. Depending on the age of your kids, you can have a staycation planning meeting to decide places to visit and things to do.
Tap into what your family interests are. If fishing or taking canoes for a river float are your thing, then plan that. If visiting a state park for a day of hiking or exploring makes your family happy, then do that. Take the family for a drive to see strange, crazy, historical places in your area. Whatever you choose to do, just make sure it requires some traveling because that is how the adventure starts!
Have an Adventure
Now that you have decided on where you’re going, give some thought to what you will do specifically while there. This, again, doesn’t have to be anything on a grand scale, but there are some things to keep in mind. It should be something the whole family can do, and it should provide a story-telling moment.
What do I mean by that? Simple. Nobody wants to return to work or school without a good story to tell about something they did while away from school or work. We need a good story to tell our coworkers at the water cooler, post on social media, and giggle about with the family. Our kids need a story they can share on their social media, write about for a “what did you do over the summer” presentation/paper, or just to tell in the cafeteria at lunch.
Maybe you took a few canoe trips down a local river and tipped your canoe, went on a hike and saw a snake, or had a rock skipping contest at a lake or pond. Just doing an activity with your family will bring about those story moments. Even those experiences that seem awful at the time can make for the best stories!
If your family enjoys bike riding, then load up the bikes and go for a ride somewhere you have not ridden before or only do on special occasions. Go out to eat, get a motel for one night, or go camping. When we aren’t going through a pandemic, hotel pools are generally a great adventure for most children. A night at the symphony or a big name show, opening night for a big ticket movie, or exploring parts of your town or city that you usually do not have time for are also great choices for your staycation. If you can spread out three or more of these throughout the summer, your family will feel like they did get a vacation after all.
Be Together as a Family
The most powerful way to tap into that vacation vibe is to invest yourself in that family time. You must be fully present and have your Vacation Mom or Vacation Dad hats on.
Family Fun Days (or staycations) are to mimic the real thing but in shorter doses, both in distance and time. So let your kid get the 1 liter Dr. Pepper if you stop for fuel (this is an example of a Vacation Dad moment, just pick what’s right for you and your family). Buy cotton candy, a slushie, or a yummy treat at an ice cream parlor. Allow your kids to stay up a little late, play games with them, and let go of some control in order to relax and have fun as a family unit. This is so important. Model how to have fun, relax, and enjoy the company of your loved ones. This is what it is all about, after all.
After thinking things through and reviewing these four tips, you are now ready to prepare for an amazing staycation.
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Family “trip planning” meetings have been scheduled with fun snacks or special “treat” dinners.
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You understand that it isn’t about money; it’s about making shared memories together.
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Take the required days off from work, or schedule those days off as vacation days.
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Do things that appeal to your family, let yourselves relax, mute your phone notifications, get your mindset shifted away from work, worry, stress and have fun.
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Let your kids have some choice in either the location or activities, and then be all in once the adventure begins.
Enjoy your summer, your family, and your staycation. Let the fun begin!
