I'm always interested to see how the kids, and us as a family, do sans computer, Wii, and Internet, since the cabin doesn't have any of these. While we did watch TV together, we also played Monopoly and hide-and-go-seek, went for walks and to the park, and had fun outside and by the water. My hubby and the boys also went golfing and on mini-adventures while my daughter slept and I revised one of my manuscripts. It was a nice break.
Now that we're back to "normal life" with all its technology, homework, housework, jobs, church responsibilities etc., I want to find ways to incorporate that simpler, unplugged time at the cabin into our lives here. [My kids apparently had this down yesterday :) - as I wrote this, they'd clogged the stairs with pillows, blankets and couch cushions and were having a hey-day riding down it!] Ah - the simple things.
What's your favorite thing to do on family vacations? How do you maintain balance between all those technological devices and living life? What tricks do you have for keeping things simple?
31 comments:
Sounds like a blast. I remember riding down stairs on pillows! My kids love board games and honestly, anything that gets them undivided attention from mom and dad.
We try to have family night, including dinner at the table or all piled on the couches with pizza once a week. We play games or watch a movie together. No phones allowed. I don't know if that's harder on my soon to be 13 year old, or me! :)
Ah, what a time away! I love to hike w/ the fam. or do the usuals like cook on an open grill, hunt for weird bugs, and play any game possible with sticks.
But my kids are always happy to return to their technological resources. Me, so-so.
~ Wendy
I love the pictures. As for the weekend, it sounds very relaxing. I'm glad you are enjoying it. Keeping things simple at home? Dinner together, game nights, reading hour and quiet play time (meaning no electronics.) Except for the piano which is a casio
That's awesome. My dad used to throw the tent outside in the backyard. Yeah, after the initial embarrassing shock of it all, we all ended up enjoying it. But only up to, like, fourth grade. =)
Love the pictures. Beautiful and breathtaking!
I'm finding it hard to be unplugged. I'm on vacation now and find myself checking in.
We take local walks or long hikes at the Dunes to keep it simple.
I love Bear Lake. I think it's important to find a balance between the "simple" things in life and the chaos of technology and the things it brings into our lives. Sounds like a wonderful vacation.
Jessica - We have family night once a week too! And I have to admit I did sneak peeks at my e-mail on my phone, even while on vacation. :)
Wendy - Yes, cooking on the grill is always fun, and hunting for weird bugs - love it!
Cynthia - Since my boys are both required to read/or be read to every night, we do get that time in together with some good books, which is nice.
E. Arroyo - Ah, camping in the backyard. Haven't tried that one yet, but I guess we'd better do it soon before it becomes "uncool." :)
Loree - Reading this makes me want to be at the ocean! Walks along the dunes sound simply wonderful.
Abby - Love your new profile picture! Bear Lake in the fall is fun because the summer crowds aren't there, though it does make going into the water less likely. :)
We went an entire month without TV when our kids were young. We spend a lot of time playing family games and I'd read aloud to everyone. We carried on the games for Sundays thereafter. One son in particular still prefers boardgames to videogames--and that's saying a lot because he loves videogames.
Isn't Bear Lake beautiful? Love that area.
Oh, sounds like you had a lovely weekend. And yes, sometimes life is just better unplugged - it somehow seems more tangible...
Donna - That is AWESOME - no TV for a month. My kids like board games too.
Kim - I completely agree! Time unplugged helps put things into perspective.
I would like to live at least half of my life un-plugged. It seems harder and harder to do these days. That like looks so amazing btw.
The picture is beautiful!
When my daughter and family visit,I ask that they shut their smart phones off when together. We also don't have cable anymore--use a small antenna:) and so we find we miss TV less and less.
Sounds like a great time, Stacy! My parents didn't have a TV in our house until I was in junior high, so my imagination got a good workout growing up. :)
Sounds like the perfect family vacation. Our family travels to the beach once a year. What makes it so special is that we are all together. All of my brothers and sisters and their spouses and kids plus my parents. My dad is in his mid 80's so these trips are becoming more and more precious. I think it is great that ya'll got back to the simple pleasures of life, like monopoly and hide and go seek. When I ask my kids to play a board game you would think I am asking them to do chores.
Our electricity was out for about 20 hrs not long ago because of a problem with a close by power line. My kids whined and moaned all day (it would have to be a Saturday). It made me wonder how they would have survived my childhood sans internet etc.
Great post. I love when people realize the importance of simple family time.
Terri - My kids are always enthralled when we go somewhere that has regular TV because all we have at home is Netflix. :)
Jessie - That view is from a road up by the cabin.
Sarah - Wow, no TV until you were in junior high? But you're so right. Creativity really kicks in when that isn't an option.
Melissa - What a fun trip to take with your whole family! That's neat that getting together each year with everybody is a priority.
Oh I'm so jealous. I've never been to Bear Lake, but I have friends that go all the time. It sounds like you guys had a blast.
We go camping. And not in a cabin. In a tent. But, it's usually on the coast, with showers. We love doing nature walks, going to the beach, and campfires. We didn't get to go this year, I'm kinda having withdrawals.
I wish I was more balanced. It isn't something I'm good at. When I unplug, I read. Funny thing is that is just another way to plug in :)
I read Jane Austen Ruined My Life since your last post. Love it :) Thanks for the tip.
Our vacations usually involve camping or boating. My hubby and the kids like to fish so I go ahead and let them do that while I read.:)
Somedays I have to literally push my kids out the door for them to enjoy the outdoors. So different from when I was a kid!
Yeah, I hear ya. We go to my parents' cabin once in a while, and it feels great to unplug
Erin - It helps that we have a place to stay up there and that isn't too far to drive to!
Jenny - You're brave. I can only make it camping in a tent for like a night or two and then I'm done. :)
Angie - Glad you liked "Jane Austen Ruined My Life." I still need to get my hands on that one!
Ruth - I hear you! I sometimes think my kids feel like they're being punished to go outside. :) But they usually love it after a bit.
Jolene - It's nice to have someone in the family who owns a place to getaway to!
I haven't been able to unplug in a really long time. I think with all the advance in technology, its becoming harder and harder. The only time I do, is when I head to a vacation spot where the internet is limited and you're forced to chill. Even then, its hard to let go. :)
Aw, sounds like a fabulous time! We love to play games together. And by "love to" I mean, we always enjoy doing it, but often forget that we enjoy it. Your post reminded me that we need to get back to playing together more regularly.
Thanks Stacy!
Mina - It is harder to "unplug" these days. I remember when e-mail was the new thing when I first started college and my dad's cell phone at the time was this square box with a little antenna. :)
Ali - Isn't it interesting that when you strip away some of those technological distractions, you remember the things you love to do that don't involve plugging something in!
Family vacations are great. We usually go to the Keys. :-) At home, I love keeping the TV off. I force my kids to go outside too. *grin*
Jessica - Vacationing in the Keys? Okay, I'm so jealous right now. :)
Sounds like so much fun! The thing I love the most about vacations is the lack of responsibilities. Then we can spend so much time doing whatever as a family, and not feel like we're being pulled a million different directions. So nice!
Peggy - Yes, the absence of chores and other responsiblities was very nice! :)
Oh, I LOVE getting away from technology! We try to do family game night once a week--no TV no video games allowed. :-)
Jennifer - That's a great idea - family game night. My boys and DH like to play Nerf gun wars with some of our neighbors, and they have a blast.
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