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