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Families Make Tough Choices This Weekend

What used to be a great time over the summer for our family has turned into…well a horrible time for families just like ours. Ever since we’ve moved out of the state of Michigan in 2000, we came home on the 4th of July holiday weekend. My husband’s late grandmother, Grandma Tootsie, celebrated her birthday and because of my husband’s imagination, our younger children thought that the fireworks were for her. When she turned 85 in 2005, my husband’s brother hosted a family cookout which brought together her 3 children, 6 grandchildren and her…whew, give me a second…12 great grandchildren and her first great-great grandchild. Man, the pictures that we have from that event are powerful. I’m glad we have those pictures, those memories because Grandma Tootsie passed away last October and this is the first time that my children aren’t heading to Michigan for the 4th of July.
Yeah, it looks like of people are going to have to change their traditional plans with gas prices reaching an all-time high so far for this year. Throughout the media, we hear about families needing to spend more time together, parents need to take vacations to relieve stress and then when there is a possibility of a nice weekend drive (we’re not going to talk about plane travel and stuff, YUCK!), parents have to consider if they can afford the gas. I am disappointed, saddened, but I have to ask myself, so what are people with families, especially large families to do to get some quality time together? Here are some of my favorites:
Backyard Water Party (parents included). Summer time should not be fun just for the children. I love the summer and I have come to appreciate water balloons, running through the sprinkler and inexpensive water slides that you can get almost anywhere.
Bike Riding. My parents always rode bikes with us and they ride their bikes with the grandchildren when they come to visit, but my husband and I haven’t taken the time to get us bikes.
Museums. The children’s museum membership is about $100 for the year. Given the weather can be too hot for the beach, the museums are a good compromise and check to see if they have a reciprocal agreement
National Parks. Locally, I am sure there are things that you haven’t seen that the kids would enjoy. Look on the state’s website and find cool things that your family can do that are within a few hour drive
Local, “fancy” hotels or Holiday Inns where kids eat and stay free. Fancy for my kids is just a pool on the premises and make a local hotel a nice retreat for a day or two.
Enjoy your summer in new and creative ways while the government figures out ways to try to stop sticking it to the people.

© 2008 DahGurl.