My 12-year-old daughter came from school and announced that she was the
ONLY one staying home for spring break this year. She went on to tell me
how bored she would be, how lucky her friends were and how she would be
stuck at home doing NOTHING. Poor girl!
Contrary to what your teens and tweens think, not everyone goes on a spring
break vacation. Finances, parents’ vacation time and recent holiday travel
are some of the reasons that a second vacation is not possible. In order to
keep your teen or tween from driving you crazy, plan a week’s worth of
activities that you can do around your own town. Enjoy a fun and relaxing
week at home with a different theme for each day.
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Pajama Day – Most teens are exhausted by their constant on-the-go
lifestyle. What they really need is a day off. Homework, extracurricular
activities, social plans and family obligations leave little time to just
hang out. Reserve a day with no agenda. Let your child sleep in. Encourage
a day of lounging on the couch in pajamas. Buy easy self-serve meals and
use disposable plates. Spend the day recharging for the week ahead. -
Volunteer Day – Now that your teen or tween is well rested, start your
staycation by helping others. Preplan a day of volunteerism and spend the
day with those in need. Start with a morning at the homeless shelter
preparing breakfast or cleaning up from overnight. Move on to walking dogs
at the animal shelter in the afternoon or play board games with the
residents at an assisted living home. Your choice of volunteering does not
have to be limited to an organization. Plan to help an older neighbor clean
out their garage or babysit for a new mom who can use another pair of
hands. -
Adventure Day – Plan to do something you have never done before. Enroll
your teen in an adventure day camp in your area to try surfing, kayaking or
scuba diving. Looking for an indoor activity? Check out your local sports
complex to try a new sport, go rock climbing or take diving lessons. For
less sporty teens, try a theater camp, cooking class or singing at an open
mic night. Encourage your kids to try something new – even if it scares
them a little. You are building their confidence for the next adventures in
their lives. -
Party Day – Have an Unbirthday Party like the Mad Hatter in Alice in
Wonderland. Invite all your teen’s friends who are home for spring break.
Plan something as simple as a gathering place for multiple friends to hang
out. Order pizza, plug in the iPod and shut the basement door. Consider
including some the parents to stay and have a drink with you. Socializing
with other parents is a great opportunity for you to get to know your
children’s friends better. -
See the Local Sights Day – There are probably a few spots in your hometown
that you have never been to before. Get suggestions from your friends and
neighbors. Visit your town’s website for tourist attractions as if you were
visiting for the first time. Check out your local historical society, a
museum or a store that you have never gone into. Take your camera along and
snap silly pictures of your family visiting the sights. Share with friends
on Instagram. -
Today’s the Day – How many times has your tween asked if they could do
something and your answer is “Maybe another time”? Well, today’s the day!
Go to the pet store and take out a puppy to play with. Take your teen to
the mall to get her ears double pierced. Stop for ice cream before dinner
and spoil your appetites. Let your kids have a sleepover and stay up as
late as they want. Show your kids that they cannot always predict what
their parents’ answer will be. -
Ticket Day – End your week on a good note. Get tickets to an event your
tween or teen would love. Whether it is a concert, a theater performance or
a sporting event, you can find something to do that your child will always
remember. Better yet, they will have something to share at the lunch table
when the vacationers ask what they did over spring break.
