Fam-tabulous!

 

Every year for the past couple of years, my family and I take a break from our every day routines.  One year we took off of work and school and went ice skating, went to dinner and then went to an event near our home.  Last year, we went to West Palm Beach during the Halloween weekend.  We laid out on the beach in Miami and even drove down to the Florida Keys.  It’s very important for us to break up the monotony of everyday life.  I know you’re thinking, “Why is she always talking about taking breaks?”

The short answer is, because it’s important.  The long answer is, because it’s absolutely necessary.   

When You Know Better…

I became a mom at a young age.  As I grew older, and had more kids, I slowly began to realize how quickly time moves.  My babies were growing up so fast, and outside of the few birthday memories I had of them, nothing else really stood out.  My life was filled with rushing here and there.  I never felt like I was taking time to enjoy what was around me.  

I don’t have a lot of money, and honestly I realized that I didn’t need it.  When you commit to putting time aside for you and your family, you realize that you don’t need a lot of money to make it happen.  Flying to Florida with 5 people hit our pockets, but it wasn’t insane.  We saved up for the trip.  We didn’t do anything too lavish while we were there.   We didn’t eat out every night, we bought groceries.  The kids were content with the beach and the few museums we found.  

They Come First!

Kids don’t require a lot of material objects.  They require a lot of your time.  Once I realized that one key, I made sure that my family came first.  ALWAYS.  My job knows that my kids come first.  They are flexible with me.  I get my work done, as a condition of my employment, but I don’t let it stress my life.

There was a point in time when I would work all the time.  I would check my blackberry (now iPhone) at all times of the night and respond to emails.  I thought it made me look like a dedicated worker.  But then I realized that it affected my time at home.  I didn’t think the kids noticed me on my phone since they were engaged in other things, but one day my daughter came up to me and said “You’re always on your blueberry mommy”.  LOL!  

Now What?

Today, I am trying to figure out when and where we will go for our family day/weekend.  I have quite a few events I am planning this year and early next, so it will have to be local.  

Get out your pen and pad.  Hit up the internet. Find your next destination.  It doesn’t have to be far. Start local.

I’d love to hear any ideas you have!  Share them!