Simple Ways To Finally Laugh, Relax and Play with Your Family

Life​ ​is​ ​too​ ​busy.​ ​Gain​ ​back​ ​your​ ​sanity​ ​with​:

​ ​Simple​ ​Ways​ ​to​ ​Finally Laugh,​ ​Relax​ ​and​ ​Play with​ ​your​ ​Family

Even​ ​if​ ​your​ ​kids​ ​are​ ​always​ ​glued​ ​to​ ​technology

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​ ​“Wish​ ​we​ ​had​ ​ ​family​ ​Sunday​ ​dinners​ ​like​ ​those​ ​I​ ​grew​ ​up with​ ​-​ ​when​ ​all​ ​the​ ​stores​ ​were​ ​closed​ ​and​ ​life​ ​was​ ​simple.”

You​ ​feel​ ​badly​ ​as​ ​a​ ​parent​ ​if​ ​your​ ​child​ ​isn’t​ ​doing​ ​all​ ​kinds​ ​of​ ​activities​ ​-​ ​Saturdays​ ​and Sundays​ ​are​ ​jammed​ ​packed:​ ​sports,​ ​parties,​ ​practice,​ ​shopping...the​ ​list​ ​goes​ ​on​ ​an​ ​on.

Your​ ​biggest​ ​fear​ ​is​ ​still​ ​not​ ​being​ ​enough​ ​or​ ​doing​ ​enough.​ ​With​ ​all​ ​the​ ​pressures​ ​of​ ​today's modern​ ​world​ ​and​ ​being​ ​a​ ​working​ ​mom,​​ ​it’s​ ​easy​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​that​ ​pressure.

You​ ​want​ ​them​ ​to​ ​have​ ​every​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​succeed​ ​and become​ ​obsessed​ ​with​ ​all​ ​the​ ​plans.

You​ ​take​ ​one​ ​child​ ​to​ ​dance​ ​class,​ ​while​ ​Dad​ ​goes​ ​to​ ​the​ ​ball​ ​field​ ​with​ ​the​ ​other.​ ​.Seems like​ ​you​ ​are​ ​hardly​ ​in​ ​the​ ​same​ ​place​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time.

You​ ​even​ ​have​ ​to​ ​compete​ ​with​ ​all​ ​the​ ​electronic​ ​devices​ ​pulling​ ​their​ ​attention​ ​away.

You​ ​want​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​them​ ​preoccupied.

Give​ ​them​ ​everything​ ​their​ ​friends​ ​have.

Let​ ​them​ ​learn​ ​and​ ​read​ ​as​ ​much​ ​as​ ​possible

​ ​But​ ​the​ ​quietness​ ​never​ ​comes!

Other​ ​parents​ ​tell​ ​you​ ​how​ ​their​ ​life​ ​is​ ​more​ ​hectic.​ ​That​ ​you​ ​have​ ​it​ ​easy​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​them!

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But​ ​it​ ​doesn’t​ ​have​ ​to​ ​be​ ​like​ ​this...There​ ​is​ ​a​ ​way​ ​to disconnect​ ​from​ ​technology,​ ​make​ ​the​ ​world​ ​stop​ ​spinning and​ ​gain​ ​back​ ​your​ ​sanity...even​ ​for​ ​a​ ​little​ ​while.

I​ ​am​ ​not​ ​saying​ ​it’s​ ​easy​ ​to​ ​change​ ​a​ ​routine​ ​but​ ​there​ ​are​ ​a​ ​few​ ​things​ ​you​ ​can​ ​do​ ​to​ ​change things​ ​up​ ​and​ ​bring​ ​back​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​simple​ ​pleasures​ ​of​ ​yesteryear​ ​to​ ​create​ ​fond memories.

In​ ​time,​ ​your​ ​children​ ​will​ ​recall​ ​some​ ​of​ ​these​ ​events​ ​and​ ​maybe​ ​want​ ​to​ ​repeat​ ​them​ ​with their​ ​family​ ​when​ ​they​ ​step​ ​into​ ​your​ ​shoes​ ​as​ ​future​ ​parents.

NOPE​ ​I​ ​am​ ​not​ ​a​ ​parent,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​remember​ ​the​ ​simple​ ​pleasures​ ​I​ ​had​ ​as​ ​a​ ​kid​ ​ ​PLUS​ ​as​ ​a professional​ ​photographer,​ ​I’ve​ ​witnessed​ ​how​ ​when​ ​families​ ​ ​are​ ​together​ ​in​ ​a​ ​natural setting​ ​it​ ​makes​ ​a​ ​kid​ ​want​ ​to​ ​put​ ​down​ ​their​ ​device​ ​and​ ​pick​ ​up​ ​a​ ​pebble​ ​to​ ​skim​ ​it​ ​across the​ ​pond.

I​​ ​ ​asked​ ​a​ ​group​ ​of​ ​25​ ​Mothers​ ​what​ ​they​ ​wanted​ ​with​ ​their​ ​kids.​ ​No​ ​one​ ​wanted​ ​technology, everyone​ ​wanted​​ ​simple​ ​things​ ​that​ ​were​​ ​relaxing​ ​a​nd​ ​not​ ​extravagant​​ ​and​ ​ ​a​ ​period​ ​of time​ ​ ​just​ ​enjoying​ ​life​ ​and​ ​laughing.

When​ ​stepping​ ​into​ ​the​ ​great​ ​outdoors​ ​your​ ​attention​ ​is​ ​commanded​ ​by​ ​nature.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​easy​ ​to “unplug”​ ​and​ ​notice​ ​the​ ​surroundings.

Breathing​ ​in​ ​fresh​ ​air​ ​and​ ​walking​ ​through​ ​a​ ​field​ ​is​ ​instantly​ ​relaxing.

You​ ​naturally​ ​forget​ ​about​ ​the​ ​ ​internet​ ​and​ ​electronic​ ​devices​ ​[​ ​In​ ​some​ ​place,​ ​there​ ​may​ ​be limited​ ​cell​ ​phone​ ​service​ ​so​ ​even​ ​if​ ​the​ ​urge​ ​to​ ​“connect”​ ​arises,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​usually​ ​futile.]​ ​ ​Those​ ​few hours​ ​of​ ​walking​ ​through​ ​the​ ​park​ ​together,​ ​laughing,​ ​teasing,​ ​joking​ ​often​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​fond memories​ ​of​ ​how​ ​life​ ​used​ ​to​ ​be​ ​when​ ​we​ ​were​ ​not​ ​so​ ​over-schedule ​ d.

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Here​ ​a​ ​few​ ​things​ ​you​ ​can​ ​do...

//01:​ ​HAVE​ ​A​ ​FAMILY​ ​PICNIC

Ditch​ ​the​ ​fast​ ​food​ ​and​ ​pack​ ​a​ ​basket​ ​full​ ​of​ ​healthy​ ​sandwiches​ ​and​ ​snacks.​ ​Feel time-starved?​ ​Whole-Foods​ ​and​ ​Trader-​ ​Joes​ ​have​ ​a​ ​great​ ​selection​ ​of​ ​healthy​ ​pre-made sandwiches​ ​and​ ​cut​ ​up​ ​fruit​ ​to​ ​grab​ ​on​ ​the​ ​way.​ ​The​ ​ultimate​ ​summer​ ​meal​ ​on​ ​the​ ​go​ ​never tasted​ ​as​ ​good​ ​as​ ​when​ ​eaten​ ​on​ ​a​ ​blanket​ ​in​ ​a​ ​new​ ​and​ ​exciting​ ​environment.​ ​Try​ ​any​ ​park, the​ ​Blue​ ​Hills,​ ​Here​ ​is​ ​a​ ​link​ ​to​ ​ ​12​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Best​ ​Picnic​ ​Spots​ ​for​ ​Families​ ​in​ ​Boston​​ ​or​ ​log​ ​onto the​ ​TRUSTEES​ ​website​ ​for​ ​additional​ ​resources.

//02:​ ​TURN​ ​A​ ​LOCAL​ ​TRIP​ ​INTO​ ​AN​ ​OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

You​ ​can​ ​teach​ ​them​ ​a​ ​little​ ​bit​ ​of​ ​history​ ​without​ ​them​ ​knowing​ ​what​ ​you’re​ ​up​ ​to.​ ​Most​ ​of​ ​these places​ ​are​ ​free​ ​and​ ​often​ ​forgotten​ ​but​ ​locals.​ ​Working​ ​these​ ​excursions​ ​in​ ​as​ ​a​ ​family​ ​outing give​ ​you​ ​a​ ​first​ ​account​ ​into​ ​the​ ​wonders​ ​and​ ​excitement​ ​of​ ​discovering​ ​ ​things​ ​for​ ​the​ ​first​ ​time.

​ ​Plan​ ​a​ ​visit​ ​to​ ​Old​ ​Sturbridge​ ​Village​,​ ​Plimouth​ ​Plantation​,​ ​visit​ ​the​ ​USS​ ​Constitution​ ​[​ ​Old Ironside]​ ​in​ ​Boston,​ ​Faneuil​ ​Hall/Quincy​ ​Market​,​ ​Castle​ ​Island​ ​in​ ​South​ ​Boston,​ ​Ride​ ​the​ ​Boston Trolley​ ​Tour​ ​or​ ​visit​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​several​ ​islands​ ​in​ ​Boston​ ​Harbor​ ​with​ ​a​ ​harbour​ ​tour.

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//03:​ ​ ​HAVE​ ​A​ ​S’MORES​ ​PARTY

​ ​Everything​ ​tastes​ ​better​ ​when​ ​cooked​ ​outdoors.​ ​Long​ ​sticks​ ​become​ ​cooking​ ​utensils​ ​and simple​ ​ingredients​ ​stacked​ ​to​ ​perfection​ ​created​ ​the​ ​tastiest​ ​of​ ​treats.​ ​Head​ ​to​ ​any​ ​store​ ​and pick​ ​up​ ​a​ ​family​ ​pack​ ​of​ ​graham​ ​crackers,​ ​marshmallows​ ​and​ ​chocolate​ ​and​ ​let​ ​the​ ​fun begin.​ ​A​ ​simple​ ​fire​ ​pit​ ​is​ ​all​ ​you​ ​need​ ​but​ ​there​ ​are​ ​simpler​ ​ways​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​cooking​ ​fire..locate a​ ​terracotta​ ​pot​ ​and​ ​build​ ​your​ ​own​ ​mini-fire​ ​pit.

//04:​ ​CAMPOUT​ ​IN​ ​YOUR​ ​OWN​ ​BACKYARD

When​ ​I​ ​asked​ ​a​ ​mom​ ​to​ ​tell​ ​me​ ​what​ ​her​ ​perfect​ ​weekend​ ​looked​ ​like​ ​here​ ​is​ ​what​ ​she​ ​said:​ ​ ​I want​ ​my​ ​weekends​ ​and/or​ ​vacations​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​RELAXING!​ ​:​ ​Camping​ ​in​ ​a​ ​remote​ ​location​ ​- waking​ ​up​ ​early​ ​before​ ​the​ ​kids​ ​are​ ​awake,​ ​sipping​ ​my​ ​warm​ ​coffee​ ​by​ ​myself​ ​outside​ ​before the​ ​day​ ​begins​ ​and​ ​the​ ​monsters...angels​ ​:)​ ​awake.​ ​Getting​ ​that​ ​wee​ ​bit​ ​of​ ​time​ ​for​ ​myself.

To​ ​simplify​ ​the​ ​process,​ ​ditch​ ​the​ ​drive​ ​the​ ​mountains​ ​and​ ​pitch​ ​a​ ​tent​ ​in​ ​your​ ​own​ ​backyard.

Throw​ ​a​ ​yoga​ ​mat​ ​under​ ​a​ ​sleeping​ ​bag​ ​for​ ​extra​ ​comfort.​ ​Don’t​ ​have​ ​a​ ​“real”tent?​ ​No​ ​problem, here​ ​is​ ​are​ ​instructions​ ​for​ ​a​ ​ ​DIY​ ​CANVAS​ ​TENT​ ​and​ ​DIY​ ​TEEPEE

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//06:​ ​BAKE​ ​A​ ​PIE

It​ ​is​ ​fall​ ​after​ ​all​ ​and​ ​that​ ​means​ ​it​ ​is​ ​pie​ ​season.​ ​All​ ​sorts​ ​of​ ​pies​ ​will​ ​be​ ​made​ ​and​ ​since​ ​it​ ​is also​ ​apple​ ​picking​ ​season​ ​you​ ​know​ ​you’ll​ ​in​ ​the​ ​kitchen​ ​putting​ ​those​ ​fresh​ ​pick​ ​apples​ ​to good​ ​use.​ ​There​ ​is​ ​nothing​ ​like​ ​creating​ ​edible​ ​works​ ​of​ ​art.​ ​Get​ ​the​ ​family​ ​involved.The​ ​longer they​ ​spend​ ​time​ ​making​ ​these​ ​beautiful​ ​creations,​ ​the​ ​less​ ​them​ ​there​ ​is​ ​for​ ​fiddling​ ​with​ ​online contraptions.​ ​These​ ​beautifully​ ​decorated​ ​pie​ ​crusts​ ​are​ ​easy​ ​to​ ​make​ ​and​ ​keep​ ​little​ ​fingers active​ ​for​ ​while.​ ​The​ ​savory​ ​treats​ ​are​ ​the​ ​best​ ​reward​ ​for​ ​your​ ​efforts...just​ ​be​ ​sure​ ​to​ ​assign clean​ ​up​ ​duty​ ​before​ ​handing​ ​out​ ​the​ ​treats!

Pie​ ​pops 8​ ​Wow​ ​Worthy​ ​Pies​ ​You​ ​Can​ ​Do​ ​At​ ​Home

It​ ​doesn't​ ​take​ ​much​ ​to​ ​plan​ ​an​ ​unplugged​ ​event​ ​for​ ​the​ ​family.​ ​Pack a​ ​lunch​ ​basket​ ​with​ ​their​ ​favorite​ ​food​ ​or​ ​pick​ ​an​ ​event​ ​for​ ​everyone to​ ​do​ ​together​ ​and​ ​you’ll​ ​see​ ​how​ ​quickly​ ​they​ ​forget​ ​that​ ​the​ ​world does​ ​not​ ​need​ ​to​ ​run​ ​on​ ​batteries​ ​to​ ​be​ ​fun.

​ ​You​ ​might​ ​even​ ​find​ ​they​ ​prefer​ ​doing​ ​things​ ​as​ ​a​ ​family​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​hanging​ ​out​ ​with​ ​their friends​ ​-​ ​Imagine​ ​that!

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P.s​ ​On​ ​a​ ​personal​ ​note……

My​ ​favorite​ ​family​ ​memories​ ​.There​ ​was​ ​nothing​ ​fancy​ ​about​ ​our​ ​excursions​ ​but​ ​we​ ​were​ ​all together,​ ​laughing,​ ​holding​ ​hands,​ ​stopping​ ​to​ ​make​ ​a​ ​memory​ ​with​ ​a​ ​simple​ ​snapshot.

Simple​ ​livin’​ ​at​ ​it’s​ ​best!

Areti​ ​Bratsis​ ​&​ ​family​ ​circa​ ​1970​ ​Boston​ ​Public​ ​Garden​ ​&​ ​Boston​ ​Common​ ​Summer​ ​&​ ​Winter.

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