Dad of Divas' Reviews: Take a Real Break - Guest Post

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Take a Real Break - Guest Post

You don’t have to plan a vacation this winter break. As a father of six kids ranging in ages from 7 months to 25 years old, I’ve learned a thing or two about enjoying winter break in the comfort of your own home – without catching cabin fever.

Follow my tips and suggestions for a fun, engaging break that will actually feel like a break!

Explore Your Backyard: Often times there’s plenty of fun to be had right in your own backyard. Maybe there’s a park you’ve never been to, a new trail to hike or even a new bike path to explore. As long as you and your child are dressed appropriately, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy getting out and about. Browse the Internet or the phone book to see if there are any interesting and kid-friendly activities going on within your community; chances are there’s plenty to do and it won’t even break the bank! Look into aquariums, museums, theater, ice-skating rinks, and recreation centers.There’s plenty of fun to be had right outside your own door, so there’s no need to travel too far in the name of some wholesome, good-spirited fun.

Veg Out:What’s a break without a little downtime? Enjoy sleeping in, eating breakfast in your pajamas and lounging in front of the fire. Read your favorite holiday storybook with your child or watch a good, age-appropriate holiday film. Dust off those old board games and teach your child your old favorite game. Playing cards and board games teaches kids to be thoughtful and intelligent- plus, they are just plain fun! Spend time together enjoying the peaceful bliss that is winter break – after all, you work hard all year long.

Get Crafty:
Arts and crafts have always been a favorite past time for my kids. There’s plenty of exciting craft kits available at stores throughout the country. Or, you can go “old-school” with a kid’s table complete with all the supplies for your child to get a little messy – or a lot messy! Just make sure you designate a craft area in a room with washable surfaces or put some newspapers down to cover the floor in that area. You might even encourage your child to make a special gift for each person they love this holiday season; the act of giving is important in raising responsible, caring individuals. Remember, when in doubt, just be creative – and don’t be afraid to get a bit of glitter in your hair.

Get Outside:
If you live in a place with snow on the ground, there are plenty of fun activities you and your child can engage in – depending on their age. Make snow angels, a snowman, go sledding, go cross-country skiing on a golf course, have a snowball fight, or head up to the slopes and let your child take a ski lesson. If you live in a location where a winter wonderland is a little less accessible, it’s still important to get outside; taking the dog for a walk or teaching your child to ride a bike. Learn a new sport together or roam the yard for interesting and exciting new bug specimens.

When you get down to it, it’s not about where you go or what you do, but spending time with your children and loved ones. Enjoy the gift that is winter break as it only comes once a year; give thanks for the time you get to spend with your child – tis the season afterall.

About the Author

Robert Nickell, aka Mr. Daddy, father of 6, is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds for dads, and the Daddyscrubs blog where he covers topics about parenting and the latest baby and kids gear, all from a Dad’s perspective



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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