Planning a vacation for you and your family can be extremely stressful. Whether you are travelling miles away or staying close to home, there are so many things to consider during the planning phase. The talk of where to stay, and how much is this going to cost can sometimes get us thinking that maybe a vacation is not within our reach.
We need to stop and think about what we really want to achieve by taking that R&R (rest and relaxation.) The reason why we take a much needed and well deserved break is because we want to spend time with our family and loved ones.
When my husband and I head down to the Jersey shore every summer, we look forward to the time away from work and taking care of things around our house. A break from shuttling to and from the baseball field, keeping on the summer camp schedule to relax, and enjoy the cool breezes and the hot sand with our three children, Lyndsey, Erika and Jeffrey.
Vacations with family create memories and traditions that we carry in our hearts forever. When I was growing up, my family had a house down the shore. Each time we reached the roadway into the seaside resort, I would roll down the windows and inhale the salty air. I took that memory and passed it down to my children. Now, I don’t even need to say anything or reach out my hand to the car window. Lyndsey, Erika, or Jeffrey will roll down the windows of my van and participate in the tradition of taking in the salty air.
My husband and I savor our leisure time with our children to reconnect because our busy lives need a chance to slow down and soak in life’s precious moments. Just like us, everyone needs to take time to do the same.
Regardless of your race or ethnicity, leisure time and family time are critical to having a happy and healthy family both now and in the future.
What traditions or memories do you want your children to have when they become adults?