In the New Year it’s customary to make resolutions….a clean slate of sorts to plot our goals and dreams for the future. It is estimated that 52% of individuals expect to keep those resolutions, while a scant 12% ever do. And while most of the world focuses usually on losing weight, or quitting some sort of habit deemed bad, I’ve decided change my perspective for 2015. Rather than focus on wellness or better eating which is already in progress, this year I want to set one little parenting goal which I’m hoping will have a large impact; to have more fun.
More living, and less stressing! Sounds simple right? Well….maybe.
I am a plan-aholic. I like a schedule, a routine, and to have a grasp on life…or at least the things we can control. Unfortunately the universe doesn’t always allow this, and life just happens! In order to teach our girls to have better reactions when things don’t go our way, we need to model that behavior. (Like yesterday!) This is extremely important with our older daughter who has sensory issues and doesn’t like change.
One of the hardest things for me to cope with on this motherhood journey has been parenting solo when my husband travels. And while he isn’t deployed for months overseas, he does travel with a professional team six months or so during the year. When it’s girls only time we have our favorite haunts that we frequent…bounce house places, parks, restaurants, and friend’s houses. Sometimes though our girls get sad, miss their daddy, and we need to mix things up. This weekend I wanted to get out of our comfort zone, skip naps (the horror!) and go to the Everglades.
That’s right on a whim we packed up and drove south to pick up our family, and then it was off to Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park.
It was waaaaay further south than I thought, and I didn’t plan very well with snacks, but that’s ok. We improvised with peanut butter crackers and fruit snacks, and had fun checking out the massive amounts of gators.
And birds. And more gators.
And after a mile walk we headed to ROBERT IS HERE for a famous milk shake & smoothie and some more animal fun.
While most of the country is blanketed in snow and outdoor activities may not be possible, I want challenge everyone this year to do something unexpected with your children, if only once a month. Break old habits, introduce them to new experiences, show them that life is full of possibilities.
HERE ARE SOME UNEXPECTED IDEAS
1. Explore Your City – Even if you live in a small town, there have to be things you’ve never checked out! (Even if it’s a little drive.) Find a new museum, or science or wilderness center. Chances are there are lots of local history and culture you’ve never thought to explore. We’ve already made a list of places like a science museum, Jungle Island, and Butterfly World just to name a few.
2. Culture – Sure we all watch TV and movies, but have you ever been to a show? A theater? A ballet? Even local theater can be really entertaining for kids!
3. Picnic for Dinner – Sometimes when my husband is away we’ll pack up and go to the park for dinner. Or even in our backyard. Just a little change of scenery does the body and mind good!
4. Create Traditions – We all have our traditions during the holidays, but do you have weekly traditions? We do movie nights on Friday with popcorn and m&m’s, and usually make a big breakfast on Saturdays. But this year we plan to try new breakfast spots each weekend. The favorite so far has been the Jet Runway Cafe at a local Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport. It seems that if we keep our traditions, even when he’s gone, it keeps the girls upbeat and gives them something to look forward to.
5. Dive In – I totally shocked our girls one evening when I joined them in their bath…in my clothes! When they are sad or particularly tired sometimes a silly act gets them back on track. I may even try the pool this week since temps have been in the 80’s…we’ll see!
If doing something unexpected isn’t your cup of tea, at least think about what goals or changes you might want to make with your family in 2015. Maybe it’s a new behavior chart, or trying a new approach with praising the positive. Or perhaps it’s finding a new game or way to make homework fun, or may be something simple like joining a church…and actually going each week!
Sometimes we get so caught up with our career goals that we forget to set intentions for our family. I’m hoping that this will at least get others thinking about new ways to parent in the New Year.
I love this idea! We used to do stuff like this all the time, but since Mila has entered toddler-hood we have backed off a bit from our surprise outings. She is just too unpredictable, but I need to get over that. Thanks for making me realize it! 🙂
Yay! I’m so glad…I have MAJOR no nap anxiety. Like I can’t take it after 4pm when Emy doesn’t nap…especially since I’m solo so much during NBA season. But you know what…it’s not so bad as long as you have mucho snacks and a tablet. Can’t wait to read your adventures!
I LOVE this! Fun activities with the kids (planned or not) are a great way to break out of the routine and stop feeling so bored! I’ll definitely be putting your suggestions into action.
These are fantastic ideas! I love it! I totally need to be more unexpected this year!
We all do – but sometimes we just need a little kick in the rear!
I love this idea and you’re totally right!! I can relate to you about the schedule and routine..I’m so the same way, but now as my boys get bigger and older, we can try new things and I should not be afraid!
It’s so hard when they are little though…but every once in awhile it’s fun to try something new! Good for everyone…
Doing new and exciting things can be scary (unpredictable) with an almost 3 year old! I do want to get more involved with getting the family out and about over weekends and school breaks, we have a ton of family and kid friendly museums in the bay area, it just takes a little planning 🙂
My biggest parenting goal of 2015 though is to be less “spastic” over messes and just take them in stride. Now that S is big enough to handle the vacuum (and has a bit of an obsession over it) I can involve him more in the clean-up routines.
I love spontaneous moments. Especially as a homeschooling mama… sometimes the routine can be a little bit of a drag.
It’s funny you talk about parenting goals… this morning a published a post on creating a parenting vision. We have goals about so many aspects of our life… why not have parenting goals. I would think they are of the most important.
Lovely photos and adventure you shared here.
Thanks for inspiring!
xoxo
Your pics bring back memories! I grew up in South Florida. I remember sitting on a boardwalk and snapping an alligator pic when I was went to UM.
I solo parent for most of the year and try to add fun trips to the zoo or down to St Augustine for fun with the kids. (They still tell me that it’s only fun when Daddy is home, though lol).
I have to remind them that it was me that brought them to three playgrounds in one day 😀
You went to UM! Wow, small world. It must be so tough for you to parent the whole year…I am in awe!
I nearly dove into the bubble bath I made Scarlet and Des today! It would have been so warm.
And this is the kind of trip I would love to do and it’s what I would do, if I lived there. I remember going to a place like this near Delray Beach when I visited my grandparents with Scarlet once. No nap. Improvised snacks from a Walgreens and then it was gators, birds and strollers.
Kristen what a great idea! I am so happy you are doing this. After having my 3rd child I realized that my over planning was making me crazy. I decided upon a new course much like you have here. Life is still crazy and I still have to plan for some things, but throwing in moments of wonderful spontaneity is so much fun!
It looks like you guys had a great time. My kids aren’t kids anymore. It cracks me up at the things they remember. All the planning I did and they remember something totally out in left field!
family intentions. i like that… total planaholic over here too. maybe i should plan to be more spontaneous too!
I love it! We A-type personalities can always use an infusion of spontaneity! Thanks for sharing this. I’m looking forward to borrowing some of yours and creating some of mine!
I would love to be able to take my kids to see some gators. I agree that the unexpected is needed in our lives. We are lucky to have nice weather here in SoCal. We’ve been to the beach three times in the past two weeks.
I’m swiping your idea of diving in with my girl in the tub!!! My daughter is SO going to love this. Thanks for the idea!
Yay! Take pics!
what great ideas for doing things a family and creating memories. So need to talk to hubby about this. Happy Saturday Sharefest
Yes it makes a HUGE difference, we had another great adventure day today!
It’s so true- just picnicking backyard can get you a new perspective. Yes, I will do that! But in Summer… it’s 10 degrees right now. Great post.
Yes, I can imagine that wouldn’t be fun! Picnic in the family room? Stay warm!
What a fun post!
Looks like you gals had so much fun! This is a wonderful reminder. Sometimes it is hard to just be in the moment. Life is short. Wonderful post as always! Happy Friday!
I definitely need to be a bit more spontaneous and admit that I am more a planner like you though. So, I appreciate the tips here 😉
Oh, I haven’t been to the Everglades in years! I remember my parts (we lived in Naples) taking us to Everglades City for the weekend a few time. Although I know question the destination…ahem. I think we only ever went on one airboat ride!
Such a great reminder to explore your own city. Since moving to Austin 4 years ago we have been so bad about getting out of the bubble of our neighborhood and really exploring. Thanks for the little reminder!
Hey I have other blogger friends in Austin! Do you know Sarah from the Blogging Bunch?