No Toy Left Behind: The Secret To Happy Family Camping
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- by Mark Stephens on Fri Dec 3, 2010 - (5) Comments
Nice mustache, Monet
It needs to be recalled over and over again: this stuff is supposed to be fun. Hanging out outside, walks in the woods, treks into slot canyons, looking for wildlife, seeking out geocaches, whatever. Think fun. If I can be so blunt, this adventure stuff is where you don't need any lousy rules. "No eating on the couch" doesn't exist out here. What this means is: you don't have to be a friggin' killjoy.
See this? Chloe loves to paint, to color, to play with sidewalk chalk. It never occurred to me to actually bring some coloring books on a weekend trip. Never. Even worse, I once mocked my wife for bringing a whole kit of water paints on a trip. I believe the words out of my mouth were, "You're packing those? There's a lame idea."
Let's not beat the dead horse, but yes, yes, yes, I was wrong. So wrong.
Here's why. It was about 4:00 in the afternoon when these two girls, Chloe and Mackenzie, were supposed to be napping. But what 3 year old can possibly take a nap while camping? Whereas we adults wanted to get dinner started and at least enjoy 4 minutes sitting in a camp chair with a cocktail in one hand and maybe sneak a liplock here and there without being interrupted. Just 4 minutes or so. And that's impossible with the little demanding minions nearby.
Ah, well, that is until Brooke said to the girls, "Should we get out your coloring stuff? You can make us some pictures!"
Perfect. The girls jumped to the table and went to work. We didn't hear from them until the next morning . . . . . just kidding.
What's the secret?
It ain't paint and makers and crayons. Listen to me: IT AIN'T PAINT AND MARKERS AND CRAYONS.
It's the button we know how to push - actually, the button that Brooke knows to push. She knows exactly what gets Chloe excited. Get it? If you think about it, this is the same secret rule to dealing with people in all matters. It's kind of like salesmanship, management, mentoring . . . parenting.
Frankly, knowing exactly what gets your better half excited will land you with more kids. Whether that's a warning or an incentive depends on where you are in life. Grrrrrr, baby!
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Comments
Colors (watercolors, pencils,and paper.
Kids camping journal (daily entry a must)
Magnifying glass.
Cheap-o binoculars
Small rope for tying stuff
etc...
...It's always evolving.
Safe Travels!
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