The kids are out of school, visitors are coming and that means many of the wonderful attractions around Calgary that parents like to bring their children to for entertainment and fun, can become much more crowded. Pressure is increased and stress is at an all-time high. How to deal with the crowds while you are navigating the city’s amenities with children in tow? Easy - if you plan ahead:
Daughters and dads have a unique relationship. There is that moment in the hospital when a dad first holds his daughter and his eyes and heart go soft with love and a promise to be there for her always. The toddler years are filled with chubby hands clasping onto dad’s finger as she begins to take her first steps; playing in the park; airplane rides on the carpet; and curling up for afternoon naps.
You know that old maxim: “Do one thing every day that scares you”? Maybe you’re a little too busy for every day or even every week, but what about once a year or every summer? My children all go to different schools; the older two are also in separate school districts, often resulting in differing vacation days or weeks. This year at Spring Break that very situation occurred with my eldest having a whole week off that his siblings did not. We took a lovely, short family trip, (aka visited the grandparents in BC the week they were all off), and I took my eldest son on a trip away, just the two of us, during his following extra week off school.
Ever felt the need for a peaceful retreat if for no other reason than to collect your thoughts? Your kids might need to do the same. Some experts fear that in a world muddied with thousands of distractions, structured activities and constant entertainment options, our children do not spend enough time alone simply relaxing or engaging in quiet, unplugged play.
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