Summer Vacations – Po-man Style

By Shara Lawrence-Weiss – Owner of Mommy Perks, Personal Child Stories, Early Childhood News and Resources and Kids Perks (coming soon)
 
 
By the time I was ten, my family had traveled to various places around the world. My father was a minister at that time and although we had very little money, the church decided to send us here-and-there – on our way from Australia to America.
 
We saw the Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, the Queen’s home in England, and the beaches of Hawaii. Once in America we traveled by trailer to Canada, Montana and more. Each time our family of six graced a new location, it was only by the generosity of whatever family loaned us their travel vehicle, beach home or condo.
 
My mother would pack our meals, snacks and treats, knowing that what little money we did have would be needed for gas or travel expenses.
 
Today I look back on those years and I really have to wonder: Were my parents insane?
 
I have three children of my own now and the thought of traveling, across country, with the arguing, snack stealing and laundry sounds like anything but a good time. That said, I wish we could afford to do it: even a small sum of what my parents gave to my sisters and I – the cultural lessons they showered upon us, even by default.
 
Alas, a recreation of those experiences is not currently in the cards for our family. However, I’ve come to realize that we are making our own unique memories…the po-man’s way.
 
Every so often my kids ask, “Can we PLEASE go to a hotel tonight?” They love checking in to the local hotel where they can jump on the beds, watch TV, eat junk food from the vending machines and swim in the pool. Just 13 miles down the mountain and we arrive at this po-man’s castle. A location my children have come to love, enjoy and anticipate.
 
We pack snacks, water bottles and board games. We take enough money along to purchase fried chicken at the KFC, along with one of their chocolate cakes. We take milk and paper cups and a few Capri Suns.
 
Once again, during the upcoming summer break, this will be our vacation of choice; once, perhaps twice. I do realize, too, that one po-man’s vacation is another po-man’s dream trip. What we have come to deem a left-over holiday, to others, might very well be a holiday only wished for.
 
Life really is all about perspective. And from where I stand, the perspective is quite lovely. Po-man’s vacation and all.

Make sure to enter for our Grand Prize Vacation Package!