Tips for Parents: Spring Break Edition
If the phrase “spring break” elicits more panic-stricken thoughts of how to afford a Florida beach vacation for the whole family or last-minute day camp ideas than thoughts of an actual break, you’re in good company. For many parents, this time, once looked forward to for months, becomes a chore. Many families opt for a big vacation, while others are more comfortable staying at home. Either option can be good, depending on what suits your family best.
If you’re planning the big vacation:
Think realistically about what your child likes/doesn’t like and age appropriateness of activities. Just because he loves watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on TV doesn’t mean he won’t have a complete and total meltdown at the sight of a real-life Mickey. If you’re planning a trip to Colorado with your 3-year-old, maybe don’t expect to be able to go on that 10-mile hike you and your spouse did for your wedding anniversary that one year. One last thing to this point: save the innocent fellow passengers on an airplane as much pain as possible if you plan to take the aforementioned toddler on a ten-hour plane ride. Bring an iPad (don’t forget the charger), coloring books, his favorite lovie, travel games, and literally anything else you can possibly fit into a carry-on in order to keep him (and you) happy
Even though Spring Break is a time to step out of the same ol’ routine, don’t take that idea too far. Kids still need rest! They can’t be expected to go, go, go all day and then make it through dinner without either conking out right there at the table or having one of those infamous meltdowns. Bottom line - make time for nap time.
Allow for exploration! Especially if your kids are older and you’re traveling to a safe destination, there’s no reason to hover over them every second. No, I’m not suggesting you should let your adolescent go into town for the night by themselves, or even with a friend or sibling. Letting them walk down the beach to find some cool shells or allowing them to stand in line for a rollercoaster while you sit in the shade isn’t a bad thing doing so inherently builds confidence by fostering their independence.
If you’re planning to stay home:
Don’t panic if you don’t have every second of every day jam packed with fun activities. For most kids who are already over-booked with school, karate, swimming and baseball during a non-break day, sleeping in, staying in their PJs, having a movie marathon, and ordering pizza can be a blast.
Take a day trip! With places like Kemah and Galveston right down the road, there’s no reason why you can’t “go on vacation.” Get a few day passes to Schlitterbahn or check out Pleasure Pier - it won’t break the bank, and your kiddos won’t go stir crazy after the PJs and pizza day gets boring.
You don’t have to get out of the city to break out of that same routine. If your go-to field trip with the kids is to the neighborhood park, try a different park…it’s that simple! Take them and some of their friends to the IMAX at the planetarium, let them have ice cream before bedtime (if you can handle that after a day in the museum district) - anything to mix it up a bit and make it special for them.
Whether you’re traveling to the “happiest place on earth” or staying at home this Spring Break, just remember: make memories! Thinking back on some of my family vacations. I don’t remember the hotel rooms, the restaurants, or the tours. What I remember is laughing until I nearly peed my pants because of some lame inside joke my mom and I came up with while I was keeping her awake in the hotel room, my sister laughing so hard that milk came out of her nose in the middle of the fancy restaurant, and trying not to chuckle at all the naked statues we saw in that one museum. Chances are that your child won’t remember how much money you spent or any facts about the tourist attractions you visited either. What they will remember is spending time with you, so make the most of whatever you do!
