Jun
2009
Summer Vacation
On the news recently they have been talking about Americans cutting back on vacations over the summer. The travel industry is hurting and vacation hotspots are offering smoking’ hot deals.
My life was never one that included exotic vacations. When I was growing up, my father always worked starting his own business, barely taking a day off now and again. When we were back in school, I never had a two page litany about all the different States we traveled to during our summer vacation.
Instead, my mother found ways to give us enjoyment throughout our summers. She was the neighborhood “mom” for all the kids. She would pile 14 kids into her car (sometimes two on a lap), and take us all down to the beach.. Or she would again pile us all in her car and treat us to a drive-in movie. Once there she would unload lawn chairs and blankets and set them up on both sides of the car. We poured out of the vehicle like molten lava and claimed our chair or spot on top of the car. Many a young couple parked next to us started their car up and moved…………far away from the commotion we would cause!
Even when I was first married, my husband and I never had two nickels to rub together, but we never really noticed that we were missing vacations. I became the “kool-aid” mom in the neighborhood with umpteen kids splashing in our little backyard Smurf pool while Bubble Gum Rock blasted from my cassette player as kids danced around on my back patio.
To listen to me, my brother and my sister we had the absolute best childhood. To listen to my children, they had the absolute best childhood.
Thoughts of summer keep invading my thoughts lately. (Yes, there has been a spotting of sunshine now and again around here.) And with these thoughts I am reminded of summers past.
There are many of you out in bloggy land, that cannot afford vacations. It’s hard enough to try and keep food on your table, or the roof over your head……….a vacation is simply out of the question.
I just wanted you to know that wherever you are with the ones you love can be your “vacation”. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune……….
Build a dream castle out of blankets and plywood.
Swim the ocean in a little blue Smurf pool.
Take the family to a “drive-in” movie with a portable DVR player in your backyard on a blanket…….snacks and drinks prepared exactly the way you like them.
I learned long ago………….being the neighborhood “kool-aid” mom was the highest honor I was ever bestowed.
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14 Responses to “Summer Vacation”
By Yaya on Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
People always tell us ‘oh you don’t have kids, you can travel whenever you want!’ and we’re like ‘no, we spend all our money trying to have kids, so there’s nothing left to travel with.’
By Futureblackmail on Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
Oh…to be a DINK and be able to travel all over.
(dual income no kids)
With everything we are going through this summer we thought a vacation was out but a church friend volunteered his condo in Hilton Head for us because he knows “we could use it.” We’re very fortunate in faith and friends!
By Dana's Brain on Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
We grew up in a neighborhood full of kids. Out the door in the morning, back by dusk. I wish we lived somewhere like that now for my kids.
Cheers to you, kool-aid Mom! Thanks for a reminder that things can still be great in your own backyard.
By SurprisedMom on Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
I grew up with five sisters and while we did have a few vacations thanks to Dad’s work, most summers were spent playing with the sisters and/or the neighborhood kids. My mom was the “Kool-Aid” mom and looking back I thank her for it. We also had a series of pools, starting with the wading pool and working our way up to a four-foot pool. Our backyard was the place to be.
While I didn’t have a pool after I was married, I did have a lot of sisters to take the girls to and let themselves enjoy being with the family. They’ve been on a few vacations, but have spent summers being entertained without us spending big bucks, which we never had.
Kudos to you, Kool-Aid Mom, for providing your children with memories of a lifetime! And kudos to your mom, too.
By Phat Mama on Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
You have an award on my blog!
By Jenni Jiggety on Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
There is nothing wrong with a staycation!
By Hyphen Mama on Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
Well, first, I love what Yaya said. That was perfectly wonderful.
Second… I grew up poor AND no drive in or mom who did those fun things. And you know what? It’s okay. I’ve never in all my life known what an “annual vacation” was. To me, it’s the people, not the place.
And…I’m going to do exactly as you suggest. Just me and my kids! Great suggestions, that I hadn’t thought of.
This post was wonderful!!! Just wonderful.
By Jessica on Jun 27, 2009 | Reply
great post and spot on. Some of my best memories come from hanging around the neighborhood
By VE on Jun 27, 2009 | Reply
And then there is the case of Heinz Stucke. A german who left on a bicycle touring vacation back in 1962 and hasn’t been back. He’s still out there bike touring the world. Now he is one of the most traveled people in the world. He’s never worked. He’s never not been on vacation. There’s a concept…
By Aunt Becky on Jun 28, 2009 | Reply
Planning BlogHer as sort of a mini-vacation with The Daver. I will, however, be working there.
By KathyB! on Jun 28, 2009 | Reply
Ouipsr only getaways are to visit family and tag along with DH on business trips that are “free” to us… and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
We FINALLY have more than two nickels after years of scrimping. And even now that we could do more? We don’t.
By passions & soapboxes on Jun 30, 2009 | Reply
I remember those summer drive inn days.Love those days. My kids neighborhood mom was Frieda and she was so cool, I was so jealous.
By Mrs4444 on Jul 1, 2009 | Reply
I do not recall a single vacation in all of my childhood (oh, wait-does Girl Scout camp count?) and I survived just fine. Today, we have taken our kids on only one big vacation as a family (11 years ago). We have plenty of fun camping and enjoying each other’s company wherever we are.
By Shawn on Jul 2, 2009 | Reply
What a great post, my dear! I agree with you entirely!