Wishing You Could Really Afford A Vacation For Your Child?

Greetings,

I hope wherever you are the summer weather is as beautiful as it is in Michigan. As the hazy days of summer quickly passes, here on the east coast we will be preparing for the frigid grey winter months much sooner than we hope for, so I savor summer.

Summer vacation can be a stressful time for single parents, just when you are into the sinc of things such as  the adjustments to childcare, single parents often find themselves wishing they could take a “real vacation” with their children.  Unless you are coming from a place of wealth finances of course, are always a challenging and often limiting factor.

My hope is that you realize there are many options for you that do not entail an airline ticket or Amtrak, and with just a little planning your children can have just as enjoyable a summer break close to home even on a limited budget.  How do I know this?  I did it, so I thought you might appreciate some ideas that you may not be aware of.

First, as I mentioned in an earlier blog before the school year ended, the earlier you plan the better the outcome and less stress for you.  Some options might be:  Ice skating-yes, ice skating!  Often on Saturday mornings I had my son and a couple of his friends at a local ice rink.  During off season there are often special discounts available for summer break; rollerskating:  some roller rinks have summer fun hour also geared towards summer break activities; petting zoos offer the opportunity for your child to further learn hands on of animal life. Often this might include actually petting various animals as well as riding a pony!  Camping: even if it’s for just one night, consider getting a small group of other parents together to go to a local campground to “rough it” in nature for just one night.  You won’t believe the experience it will bring to both you and your child.  And don’t forget about the beach!  That can be a weekly visit your child will never tire of. Feeling the natural earth, making sand castles, watching their footprints disappear into the earth as the waves wash them away, each of these is life renewing to both you as a parent as well as your child.

These activities are with minimal cost and some such as petting zoos might not have a fee at all and the benefits will far exceed any cost you might have.  So start planning, and please let me know some of the activities you are taking advantage of this summer, I would LOVE to hear!

As for me, this week I’m in for a few days and I am headed to the beach, I hope to see you there!

Peace~