FAMILY VACATION WITH GRANDPARENTS : I have some ideas; I say travelling with grandkids is truly grand!*
Vol. 3, No. 6, Monday, May 28th2012
TITLE: “FAMILY VACATION WITH GRANDPARENTS : I have some ideas; I say travelling with grandkids is truly grand!*”
FIRST WORD*
Oops… Oops, I forgot to tell you that I was going on vacation. Things got so hectic that I could not make the time to write a note to you all. Please accept my apologies. I’m back. Let’s go!
INTRODUCTION
The phrase, “family vacation” brings to mind, thoughts of a car trip to the beach, time spent in cottage country at the lake, hot days at theme parks. This week, I will write about vacationing with family. My book of the week is “Almost There: The Family Vacation Then and Now” [Paperback] by Curtis Gillespie (Author) (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on seniors and also that on parenting.)
PREVIEW: I am still thinking about summer, more precisely, the children’s two month school break. I want to share with all of you parents and grand parents out there some of my thoughts. I say: “This is an opportunity for quality time. Don’t squander it. Both you and the kids will miss out.” (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on seniors and also that on parenting.)
MY LIFE & TIMES*
As an adult, I never did get to go on vacation with my parents. They were not really the vacationing type. For the most part, they spent time at home. But, in summer, they were happy to go on a picnic. We were quite a big group – uncles and aunts and many cousins came along. It was a great outing. Now that they have both passed away, I realize that such trips would have provided precious moments.
When my daughter asked us along with her in-laws to go on a cruise vacation with them, I was absolutely ecstatic. She organized it. It was quite an effort as we all have busy schedules. It gave us an opportunity to spend time together. We got along great. It was wonderful. Being with my grandchildren was priceless. I will forever remember this vacation. What fond memories! I was sad when the trip ended. but delighted that I had this opportunity.
THE AUTHOR: Curtis Gillespie
Curtis Gillespie is a journalist, also the editor and co-founder of Eighteen Bridges magazine. He has won awards: a) the Danuta Gleed Literary Award; b) three National Magazine Awards. He lives in Edmonton with his wife and two daughters.
SERIES/COLLECTION
Books/Articles:
Several are:
- “Almost There: The Family Vacation Then and Now” [Paperback]
- 2007 – Crown Shyness (Paperback)
- 2004 – Playing Through a Year of Life and Links Along the Scottish Coast (Hardcover)
- 2003 – Playing Through a Year of Life and Links Along the Scottish Coast (Paperback)
- 2002 – Playing Through a Year of Life and Links Along the Scottish Coast (Paperback)
- 1997 – The Progress of an Object in Motion (Paperback)
THE BOOK: “Almost There: The Family Vacation Then and Now” [Paperback] by Curtis Gillespie (Author)
While humorous, this book makes a point. The family vacation is something that a family shares. Curtis Gillespie contends that the choice of vacation types is an indicator of who we are as individual families and collectively as a society. Gillespie explores the meaning of family vacations, the memories created by them, and how these memories help us define family relationships.
We can all relate to the moments either funny or sad, relaxing or stressful, etc. But we vividly remember the exhilarating moments. Gillespie says that these are important. All of this bring great stories that we can roll out every so often. The book might prompt you to plan a family holiday or give you an excuse to do it. Either way, this read spells travel.
CONCLUSION
Going on holiday as a couple is good. Going on holiday as a family is better. And going on holiday with grandparents is best!
Personal Comments
I say:
- Time spent with family is good…very good.
- Family vacations are a good way to share fun times together.
- It is especially grand when grandparents travel with grandkids and their parents. Vacation time together is a great way to stay connected and bond with your grandchildren.
- Every family should attempt a vacation with grandparents, parents and children.
- I am looking forward to another vacation in the future with my daughters and their families. Hopefully, it will happen again and next time with both of my daughters.
The Point
It’s a good idea to go on holiday as a family -including grandparents!
ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*
Everyone should:
- Consider going on a holiday with your family and inviting all of the grandparents. It’s worth the effort. If money is tight, it can be a few day trips in town. It’s not about the money – a little can go a long way. All you need is imagination. Discovering your home town is surprising special. Seeing the sites and attractions in your home town might be surprisingly good and satisfying. Visiting a green space in the city and if possible camping overnight could be quite memorable. It’s not about the cost – it’s about the time.
- Plan ahead; and let every family member have a say.
- Make reservations.
- Think about the clothes that you need and pack well.
- Allow for the unexpected like rain days.
- Be mindful and respectful of others: their likes and desires.
- Pick activities not requiring the expenditure of extra money …unless all are in favour.
- Offer to babysit the children often in order to give parents some time for themselves.
- Suggest that there be many free time slots so that travellers in your group can rest or go off on their own. Indeed, going in a group does not mean being together every minute; although we did spend a lot of time together.
- Take oodles of pictures.
- Go to the gym on vacation – you’ll probably eat too much while on holiday. I HAD to – you see …the food was so plentiful and delicious!
- Remember before you will hear: “Are we there yet?”, someone needs to suggest a family trip including grandparents.
Indeed, I say travelling with grandkids is truly grand. BON VOYAGE!
And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com – saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
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ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:
S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: Vacation
Over the years, Chrysler chief Lee Iacocca often heard colleagues express their pride at having worked so hard that they had failed to take a vacation.
Iacocca’s response? “You dummy. You mean to tell me that you can take responsibility for an $80 million project and you can’t plan two weeks out of the year to go off with your family and have some fun?” (Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=4787
S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: Dean Kamen: Family Vacation
By the age of 16, Dean Kamen (famed for his invention of the Segway Human Transporter) had made a small fortune selling his first invention – a control unit for light and sound shows – to such clients as New York’s Hayden Planetarium. “I used some of the money to send my parents on a two-week vacation,” he later recalled, “and I used the rest of it to buy myself some really great machine tools for the workshop I had set up in my parents’ basement.” (Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=1262)
S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: Tom Cruise: Vacation: Impossible
Shortly after the filming of Mission: Impossible 2, Tom Cruise took a vacation with his kids while Nicole Kidman worked on Moulin Rouge: Tom loaded five-year-old Connor and seven-year-old Isabella aboard a 40-foot-plus fishing vessel, christened the Alibi, for a trip in Australian waters – only to discover that, when it comes to vacations, “we’re like the Griswolds.” And in true National Lampoon’s Vacation form, a motor conked out, someone T-boned a Jet Ski into the Alibi’s side, the boat itself struck a reef. When the fire from the on-deck barbecue roared a little too high in Connor’s direction, Tom shoved the grill overboard, thereby becoming the first actor in Aussie history to throw a barbie on the shrimp. (He later donned scuba gear and retrieved the grill.)
Isabella later summed up the trip for her mother: “It was tragic,” she declared, “then fun!” (Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=4841)
S & R* QUOTE #1: Captain Jean-Luc Picard Quote
“Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/quote/captain-jean-luc-picard.html)
S & R* QUOTE #2: Eleanor Roosevelt
“I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.” (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/index12.html)
S & R* QUOTE #3: Mark Twain
“Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.” (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/index12.html)
ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “vacation”; “family”; “”
Vacation
A vacation or holiday is a specific trip or journey, usually for the purpose of recreation or tourism. People often takes a vacation during specific holiday observances, or for specific festivals or celebrations. Vacations are often spent with friends or family. (Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacation)
Family
In human context, a family (from Latin: familia) is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children. (Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family)
SCHEDULE II
STUDY/STATISTICS:
SCHEDULE III
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Plan a summer vacation to remember
“School’s out and families all over Canada are gearing up for a much anticipated vacation.
Memories of family vacations last a lifetime, says Dave Minor, Vice President, TD Insurance. So, you’d be wise to ensure those memories are good ones by preparing your home and family before you pack up and head out of town.
Follow the ABCs from TD Insurance to plan a safe and fun family vacation that runs smoothly from your front door to your destination:
Ask questions: Know what to expect before you arrive. Pick up a travel book, or put the Internet to use and learn about local traditions, food, weather conditions, and water quality before leaving to help you can plan accordingly.
Burglar-proof your home: Remember to prepare your home so that it appears like you’ve never left. Things you can do include setting up automatic timers on your lights, asking a trusted neighbour to park their car in your driveway, and cancelling your newspaper delivery. Last, but not least, don’t forget to ensure all doors and windows are locked before leaving.
Cover your family: A recent TD Insurance poll of more than 1,000 Canadian 18 years of age and older revealed 29% of us think travel insurance is only necessary when travelling internationally, but this is not the case. Dependent on your province’s health insurance you may need additional coverage from province to province. Also, it’s important to carefully review your travel medical insurance policy before leaving because not everything is covered. People sometimes choose to participate in riskier activities on vacation, such as parasailing, which may not be covered in your policy.”www.newscanada.com
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Pack smart for the family summer vacation
“A trip with your family is a great way to make lasting memories, but travelling with babies and kids can be challenging. Getting through airport security quickly and easily will help get your family vacation off to a great start. Here are the top five tips from the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to make your next family get-away as smooth as possible.
1. Bring snacks to keep baby happy. For parents travelling with kids under two, baby food, formula, medications, milk, water and juice are exempt from the 100 ml (3.4 oz) liquid restriction for carry-on baggage. The amounts must be reasonable for the length of your vacation and these items must be presented to the screening officer. There are no restrictions on solid food products.
2. Use the special security screening line for families, and arrive early to give yourself a little more time to clear security.
3. Reduce the likelihood of additional screening by dressing yourself and your kids in clothing and shoes that don’t have metal accents. Let your child walk through the metal detector if they can do it on their own.
4. Remove infants from their stroller or carrier and hold them while proceeding through the metal detector. The stroller or carrier will have to be x-rayed. Never leave your baby in a carrier on the x-ray belt.
5. Pack toys in your child’s carry-on baggage that will keep them entertained on your flight. Batteries for toys, cameras, gaming devices and other personal items are allowed in carry-on baggage, but some restrictions apply.
The CATSA website at www.catsa.gc.ca has more information about packing smart. Bon voyage.” www.newscanada.com
*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved