Spring break is over, and we’re back in school. I’m going back to work and will once again battle wits with elementary school kids trying to reason with me over the most trivial of things. Snuggling in bed with my daughter, tickling her to tears wins hands down over the prospect of going back to work. But vacations don’t last forever. That’s why whenever we get the chance to take some time off from work, we should make it count.
If your thoughts are starting to already veer towards the next holiday, you might want to think about how to spend quality time with the ones you love. How about going on a staycation? You can simply stay home or book a nearby hotel room or one of those cozy Branson cabins and hibernate from the rest of the world for a few days. Here are some suggestions on how to make the most of your staycation.
Take a hike. Go on a hiking adventure with the entire family. You don’t have to go far. You can simply go out and explore a nearby trail park, or mini zoo. Visit those places which you normally just breeze past on days when you’re rushing on the way to work or school. They could prove to be surprisingly exciting too.
Stock up on the multimedia. This is the best time to have a movie marathon. Borrow DVDs from your library, and watch to your heart’s content. In between movies, you can pop in a CD and dance like nobody’s watching. It’s an excellent workout and family bonding activity in one.
Chill out. Hardly anyone in his right mind would want to slave away in the kitchen on a staycation. Keep things simple, if you must cook. Better yet, order some take out. Have gourmet food delivered to your doorstep. If you’re too lazy to do the dishes, use paper plates instead.
Break the rules. If the kids normally go to bed at 9pm, give them an extra hour to probably watch TV or play another round of Monopoly. This is the chance for them to do what you sometimes do: stay up late and sleep in.
Times are hard, and we do what we can to maximize whatever resources we have. A little R&R doesn’t necessarily have to mean breaking the bank. With a little imagination and creativity, you can have a memorable and relaxing staycation.
