Right now it’s hard to know what the world is going to look like going forward. We don’t know when things will “return to normal,” if that is even possible. So many people have lost income. Our children have lost out on a lot of education, despite best efforts by schools, teachers and parents. And we certainly don’t know when travel will be available to us again. Even “staycations” may be off the table for a long time, since hotels, concerts and large events are cancelled for the foreseeable future.
Summer Vacation Post. Or, in the Midst of Pandemic. Or, How to Make Up for all the Lost Learning
When the funds have been diminished and we are coping with travel fear, how do we get a “vacation.” Especially when we really need one, given the stress of isolation, uncertainty, and home schooling!
As a mental game coach and sports psychologist, I help people visualize their successes, helping them build on things they can control and to focus on the prize. And I’m a mother. What a better way to combine the two than to visualize wins for you and your family.
Here are some ideas on how to make the most of your summer and simultaneously expand your children’s learning and education during times when travel may be off the table.
Are you missing the beach?
Have you always wanted to go to Hawaii? How about filling some trays with sand and shells, setting up a few lawn chairs, beach blankets, and tiki torches in your back yard? There are some great frozen fruit daiquiri recipes (virgin and not, check out these great recipes on The Yummy Life) that can be prepared in advance for you to have your own private backyard luau. Read up on Hawaiian culture and hula dances. Children can spend some time crafting grass skirts and preparing dances.
Do you love to camp?
What is stopping you from setting up your tents in the backyard? It’s amazing to be able to camp and have a bathroom just 20 feet away. What is more satisfying than making hot dogs and s’mores over the fire pit you just dug and lit with flint?
Do your littles still believe in Captain Hook and friends?
Fill a treasure box with coins from around the world (chocolate coins work well too), a pirate flag and some “jewels.” Bury it in the backyard and make an authentic pirate map with burn marks. Read a “news” article aloud about the pirates that buried some treasure locally after being chased by the authorities. Then have your kiddos “discover” the map and subsequently the buried treasure. I guarantee they will never forget it. It’s a great time to read up on famous pirates and sea farers or pull out a copy of Treasure Island or Peter Pan.
Have some clothes you have been meaning to donate but now no one is taking donations?
How about turning those fabrics into costumes from around the world? Make a kimono, a sari, Lederhosen and Dirndl, kilt or Flamenco dress. Have a fashion show equipped with photographer and MC who reads off a text about the various cultures and traditional garb. Why not make a catalog advertising your fashions and learn about marketing and PR?
Hungry to try something new?
Another fun way to travel around the world might be to choose new dishes from various countries to try. Put pins in a map to mark off your adventure and help get you through the travel blues, all while learning about other cultures.
In the end you can compile your pictures in a travel log in a Shutterfly book to commemorate your summer of travel.
Bon voyage!
