You work 60+ hours a week. You leave before the sun peaks over the horizon, and you come home long after the sun has returned to slumber. You eat cold leftovers, kiss your already sleeping children, and settle into bed next to a spouse that hasn’t actually spoken to you in 11 hours.
You’re thankful for the job you have, because so many are losing theirs, but you aren’t so thankful for the long hours, thankless achievements, and all the time spent away from those you love most in the world.
Does it have to be that way? Honestly, sometimes it does. Unfortunately, if you don’t work, you can’t really support those you love, but working takes you away from them as well.
So what you can do? Have you considered taking a vacation? Mind blowing isn’t it? What a truly novel idea- taking time off work and actually spending time with your family!
Do vacations have to mean two weeks of sun and accrued credit card debt? No, it could just be a weekend spent dedicated to having fun with your family. Not all vacations or family days have to empty the bank account- and here are a few ideas that will help you de-stress from work while soaking up the love of your family.
Backyard BBQs
One of the most important things that families should do together is eat. Food has brought families together for as long as man has been on earth. You’ve seen the commercials for Bushs’ Baked Beans, Oscar Mayer hot dogs, Johnsonville Brats, Kool-Aid, and other summer fun time treats…everyone is outside in the backyard, jumping into the swimming pool, piling delicious food onto their plates, and just enjoying their time together.
You can do that too. A quick trip to your local grocery store for yummy BBQ favorites, a trip to Wal-Mart for fun sprinkler attachments or pool toys, and then everyone gathers in the backyard for family time that doesn’t have a huge price tag.
Dad gets to wear the “Kiss the Cook” BBQ apron, mom gets to don the big sun hat, and the kids get to try and make it poolside without slipping on the puddles of sunscreen they’re leaving in their wake. Fun times had by all, and the only thing you’ll have to stress about is making sure the burgers don’t burn.
A Lark in the Park
Never underestimate or overlook the simple family trip to the local park. Public parks or state parks are FREE. That means that you can take scenic hikes, swim in lakes, BBQ your favorite summer foods, watch as the kids play on the jungle gym (you could even join them if you’d like), and even take a family bike ride all without pulling out your wallet one single time.
Splish Splash
Two words that spell ‘awesome family memories’ and ‘inexpensive family fun’…water…park. Yes, those two words can also spell heat stroke, sun burn, and junk food overload, but family fun always carries with it the risk of unpleasant or uncomfortable events.
There are hundreds of water parks all over the US. Chances are that there is one only a few hours’ drive from where you live. That means that you can pack up the kids in the morning, take a drive into the afternoon, and spend the hottest part of the day cooling off in the waters of Wild Water Kingdom or Six Flags Water World. If you really want to make good use of the water park, you can buy a family summer pass for relatively cheap and spend every weekend there. Or, if you just want to make a single trip, you can stock up on coupons from local kids friendly eateries or libraries and get money off of each ticket you purchase.
Another way to save some money on your family water park fun is to bring your food with you. Most water parks don’t care that you bring food in with you, and this allows you to purchase lunch items at a big discount at the grocery store, and save the money you would have spent on overpriced concession items.
Make sure to take a lot of pictures, so that when the work week begins again, you have those precious memories to hold you over until you can get home to your family again.
Green Thumb Fun
One of the great things about summer is that it’s the perfect time for planting. If you have the space and don’t have an aversion to getting a little dirty, you can gather the family together, plan and then plant a summer garden. Not only does this give you time together as a family, you are also creating something that will continue to give back to the family over the rest of the year. Who doesn’t want to bite into a sweet garden tomato that was planted by loving hands in their own garden?
Fresh vegetables add flavor and fun to the dinner table, and it promotes healthy eating and sustainability.
You love your family, and working to provide for them is important, but so is taking the time out of your life to spend with those that mean the most. It doesn't have to cost much money, and what it provides in memories, shared time together, and fun is a price far above what any one person could pay in their lifetime.
So go out there and enjoy your Spirit for Living!
