6 Tips For Sandwiched Boomers Planning Summer Staycations

With the high price of gasoline, are you thinking ofentertaining event. 4. Consider this time as a week of
canceling your vacation trip? This summer more andweekends. Have fun with your family - play board
more Sandwiched Boomers are reducing their carbongames together, make popcorn and rent classic
footprint by taking "staycations" with their families.movies, go to the park for a pick-up basketball
Why drive to a resort when there are communitygame, take in a concert under the stars, get bleacher
swimming pools around the corner? Why plan atickets for a baseball game, go for family bike rides
remote getaway when you can relax in the beautyor long walks in the neighborhood, splash each other
and serenity near you? You don't need to travel toin the community pool. Have a barbeque and let each
the city for excitement when you can create yourfamily member cook or prepare a different part of
own at home. Gasoline prices are edging toward fivethe menu. Plan your own Olympics competition with
dollars a gallon and the hassle and expense of airevents appropriate for your children's ages. 5. Explore
travel is increasing. Families saddled with the economicyour immediate surroundings and discover something
and emotional costs of caring for growing childrennew. Take a city bus tour and see the sights that
and aging parents are saving money and energy byyou've never noticed before. Expand your horizons
vacationing at home this year. But how to make it aand those of your family members. Visit a museum
real vacation and not one long list of chores andnear you - often they offer entrance fee free days
obligations? When you follow these tips, you'll returnor discounts for local patrons. Participate together in a
from your staycation refreshed, recharged andcreative activity like ceramic painting or a mini-course
reconnected to your family: 1. Make planning for yourin photography at the community center. Visit the
staycation a part of the process of reconnectioncampus of a local college and wander through the
that usually comes about on vacation. Set aside timelibrary. You may uncover an interest you never
to have a family meeting and encourage everyone torealized you had. 6. Remember to include the
talk about what activities they want to include. Thisuniversal vacation ritual - take lots of photos and
preparation will give you all a better understandingvideos to share with your friends. Looking at the
and appreciation of each other. And you can reducepictures of your family's smiling faces will enhance
the tension and arguments that might ensue lateryour memories of the special times you spent
about what you were going to do together. 2. Whentogether. Continue the feelings of togetherness by
your staycation begins, take a complete break fromcreating an album commemorating your first family
all work. Don't check your job-related emails or call instaycation. The decision to spend your vacation at
for updates about projects. This is your free time sohome this summer can deepen the bonds and
resist home-related chores as well. Leave the bedstransform your family. Without either the tension
unmade or arrange for someone to come in andthat travel creates or the stress of considerable
clean so that you won't be temped to work aroundexpenditures in this uncertain economy, you will find
the house. Do set aside time for any home activitiesthat the time socializing with family this year is more
you enjoy for relaxation - gardening or scraprelaxing than ever. And as a Sandwiched Boomer
booking, for example. 3. Act as you would on awith so many responsibilities, you deserve this rest
vacation away from home. Go to bed and get upand respite. Your staycation can help carry you
when you want - don't set your alarm clock. Let thethrough the year ahead with your enriched family
kids stay up past their bedtime if you are doingrelationships. So instead of "bon voyage," it's "bonnes
something out of the ordinary. Enjoy a specialvacances a la maison!" © 2008, Her Mentor
breakfast out one day. Relax in the sun and read aCenter
page-turner or amusing beach book. Exercise in waysRosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. and Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D.
that aren't easy while you are working - a morningare founders of a website for midlife women and a
tennis or golf game, a midday horseback ride throughBlog for the Sandwich Generation. They are authors
the countryside, a leisurely hike at sunset. Splurge onof a forthcoming book about Baby Boomers and
a night out at a fancy restaurant or for tickets to anfamily relationships.