Hello everyone! I hope all is well with you. My post is a little late this week because I had a doctor’s appointment and then hubby and I went out to lunch. It was nice to have a date with the hubster and it ended up being a relaxing day.
It’s also the last week of school for my kids. They’re so excited and I must say so am I. I don’t know if it’s because we had such an obnoxiously long winter or what, but I’m feeling a little wrung out.
We have great plans for the summer. We’re going to vacation up north on Torch Lake for a couple of weeks. Everyone in the family enjoys these trips, even our cat Lily. :)
Taking a vacation is a great stress reliever for parents and kids. Sometimes we forget the stresses that kids deal with on a daily basis, the stress of peer pressure, school pressures, and trying to figure out where they fit into the world.
By removing your child from that environment, you give them an opportunity to spend time with the family and strengthen those bonds. I know most teens will protest having to take time away from their friends, but I think it’s good for them. I’m going to go out on a limb and say spending time alone is good for teens too.
Not too much time alone, but a child needs to have a good relationship with herself as well. Therefore, when the ugliness of peer pressure rears its head, hopefully she’ll choose what’s best for her, and not go along with the crowd because she’s afraid of being alone. She’ll have had some practice and it won’t be as scary.
It’s important for kids and teens to learn how to entertain themselves. That way they’re less dependent on others for entertainment and approval. It’s okay to be a little bit of a loner if your friends are engaging in less than desirable behavior. I’m hoping to teach my kids this. In my opinion, it might even alleviate some of the stress of dealing with peer pressure.
Well…I certainly went off on a tangent there, but that’s okay…after all this is my page to ramble. :) Thanks for stopping by and if you’d like to share your thoughts on vacations, kids, or stress feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to read them!
