A family who stays outside together enjoys a number of benefits. It doesn’t take family counseling to understand that quality time is needed. However, that doesn’t mean sitting in the same room while one person is watching television, another is on their smartphone, and someone is snacking in the kitchen while reading their iPad. The outdoor affords time with the family. Here are tips and tricks to apply for the whole family.RelaxationParents can grow frustrated by rambunctious kids and children are disheartened by grumpy adults. We all need relaxation and often seek it first thing upon getting home. However, every family member needs to decompress, and the outdoors is a great place to let out some steam before finally relaxing. We’re all tense from work, school, and daily obligations. It’s natural to want to relax but it takes some thought to understand that you may need a release first. Schedule outside’ time when family members first get home.
Lifestyle
Taking the kids to the park one day per season of the year is not going to deliver ongoing effects. The outdoor’ life should be a regularity. It doesn’t mean that your family has to live off the grid and hunt for its own food. It means that parents, being the role models, should encourage and model an interest in the outdoors. Whether it means taking walks, bird watching, riding bikes, or learning to surf, make the outdoors a regular part of your family’s life.
Assignment
Some kids can be led to the outdoors via assignment of chores. Why rake the leaves when your child can do it, getting fresh air, exercise, and the appreciation of work in the process? Taking things a step further, you could suggest that older kids start a paper route, or shovel snow in the winter as a way to make extra money. Also, you could encourage kids to get involved in sports and activities that get them outside such as cross country running or cleaning public parks after school.
Extended Family
Include others that may inspire a good time for the entire family. For example, if your son or daughter is more likely to go hiking if their friend comes, then let them invite others. Also, if there’s a quirky uncle in the family who has a knack for making everyone laugh and adding levity to situations, allow him to go along on the hiking trip too. However, don’t lose sight of the primary purpose – to make family members enjoy time together. So, that doesn’t mean allowing your daughter to go off with her friend the entire trip while the family does other activities.
Trips
An exotic destination should not be the carrot dangled in front of the horse or inspiration for your family to abide by your outdoor wishes. However, a destination could be a great idea, especially during seasons that force people indoors. For example, you could visit Colorado in the winter for some exercise. If your family members don’t ski or snowboard, there are plenty of hiking trails open in the winter months. Also, if there is a place that the entire family has wanted to visit, don’t pass up on an experience each member will remember forever. Or, you could simply schedule regular trips as far as the end of the garden to unwind and chat with each other. Head to www.Bridgman.co.uk/teak-garden-furniture for an assortment of outdoor furniture.
Involvement
Some parents make the mistake of taking the reigns and not allowing kids to get involved in the planning process. Rather than surprise them with a suggestion or vague order to join the family, ask them for their input and ideas. Kids like being heard and the idea that others are willing to abide by their wishes. Plus, they are a lot less likely to complain about an adventure if they are the orchestrator.
Tracking
Keep track of adventures, activities, and individual accomplishments, playing on your family’s personality. If you’re a competitive bunch, then it could be exciting to track progress (track how far family members ride bicycles for example). Alternatively, if you’re a reflective bunch, maybe you want to record a podcast about your adventures, giving all members a voice. Lastly, if members are tech savvy, you could create and launch your own outdoor family website.
Gear
Who doesn’t like presents and gadgets? Sweeten the outdoor deal by getting your family members some duds and accessories to go along with their newfound taste in the outdoors. Dad may appreciate a cooler, mom a comfy folding chair, the kids may like to figure out a compass and GPS systems, etc.
Demi Crawford works as a home designer by day, but she loves to entertain by night. A Mom of 3 kids you can find her home entertaining tips on a variety of lifestyle and homeowner blogs.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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