When breaktime rolls around we usually hear, “I’m bored” 5,560 times a day. So finding stuff to do with the family is a must, but for most of us, the budget doesn’t allow for a fancy vacation to the Caribbean. (sigh) Be the coolest mom ever and create a family staycation.
Did you know you can create an intentional and frugal family staycation?
Yes, a family staycation.
Never heard of it before?
A Staycation is a fun, frugal and intentional way to plan a family vacation without traveling far from home. It can be as little as planning a couple fun things to do during a week or packing the whole schedule with fun activities like you would on an actual vacation. So fun!
Contents
A Few Tips for Planning Your Family Staycation
1- What’s the Plan?
You wouldn’t go on a vacation without a plan in place so you should treat this in the same manner. This is the key to a successful staycation! Sit down and plan it out with the kids. You could have all the options ready and written on little pieces of paper, put them in a hat and have each member of the family pick out an option until you have the week planned.
Maintain a list of all the interesting places and activities in and around your hometown. Keep this list handy for each year to make it easier to plan your staycation the following year. As I begin to plan out a staycation week, I am then prepared with a master list of options for destinations and activities.
2- Don’t Create Debt
Come on, let’s not go into debt to have a good time! It’s always important to make sure you budget. Figure out what your total budget for the week’s activities should be ahead of time. You can set a daily limit or just check for admission costs before you leave the house so you don’t get any surprises and go over budget right out of the gate.
3- Quit Saying No
As a Mom, I say no to my kids MOSTLY. (I know, I’m really working on it) During a family staycation, I try my hardest to indulge them by saying yes more than usual, within reason. (Enjoy it while it lasts, kids!)
4- Mix it Up a Bit
We have a rigid schedule we follow daily, but for a staycation you gotta let go of the everyday schedule! Keep it light and fun and try to fly by the seat of your pants, imagining how we would be if we were on a real vacation. Stay up past bedtime? Why not? — Wear PJs until lunchtime? Yep! Well, we do that a lot anyway…lol.
5- Be a Kid
Why are we so serious? Oh yeah, cause we are the adults. LOL. But come on for just a week let go. Just get goofy with it and have a blast! Embrace the child in you. Turn the music up and let go. Don’t stress, relax and go with the flow. Get down wit’ yo bad self!
6- Turn it Off
Ummm… this should go without saying, but no tech should be allowed or at least not during any activities. Social media and cell phones can suck up a lot of your time without even noticing. Just turn it off for the week and really engage with your family.
Yes, I know, that is crazy! We are going to miss what is going on in all of our Facebook friends’ lives. (Gasp) But they will survive; we have our own family to enjoy. And might I just add, don’t post what you are doing every second of every day. Be in the moment. If you feel like you have to do this, just post once a day and engage with your family.
Whatever you decide to do over summer break, be intentional, make memories, take pictures, just simply enjoy your family! Don’t just allow the days to tick away! We can’t get these years back with our kids. When they are gone, they are gone. You got this! Make it great and make it memorable!
So let’s plan it, download my eBook with a ton of ideas and tips for your Best STAYcation Ever! Go and check it out! And please share and help me get the word out so we can all enjoy our summer!
Do you have any Staycation ideas? Put them in the comments. Maybe I will add it to my book! 😉
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Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, & Mama to 3 girls. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed, or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a newfound hope and joy within, that He alone can provide. Besides blogging, she also loves to create printables!
being with your family on vacation is generally the best gift you can give them! 🙂
Truth!