Theme Park 101 - PART 2

                                                     
My last post was about my most recent family trip to Disney and the nuggets I learned along the way. Even though I have been there many times, the Lord revealed a lot of simple truths that if I apply will lessen the stress. It will also allow me to enjoy it more as well! Here's the rest of them.....

5. Must rest & take breaks

Allow your family to have breaks from the crowd. We need to get away. Go back to your hotel room and go for a swim. Go back to your hotel room and watch some TV or play the iPad so you can relax and recharge. Go out to lunch away from the park. Allow your family to breathe without tons of people right next to them. This is always such a relief and recharges us to go back later and truly enjoy the rest of our day.

6. Mindful of Ministry

While you focus on the details of your trip, the Lord has ministry opportunities throughout your time away as well. Be mindful of those cashiers, other families, and people HE has placed alongside you as you travel. Be a LIGHT as you enjoy your vacation. Look for ways to bless others. It will remind your kids that it's not all about them...but about JESUS! HE may just place someone around you that needs to hear the Gospel.

7. Morally Upright

My kids have always been on the taller side which allows them, most times, to ride the bigger rides before their age. Well this last time my oldest wanted to ride the race cars alone, and he was about 2 inches too short. To be honest, my heart was thinking, "What's the big deal...he's a big kid and totally can handle it!" But the Lord impressed upon my heart that, that too, is a ministry opportunity with my family. To remind them...we must obey and honor the rules put in place by Disney. It allows my kids to see that my husband and I follow Truth and obey rules too! Many times we slip and make simple decisions that are morally wrong forgetting our kids are ALWAYS watching. Be careful. Be honest. Obey the rules even when it's hard. You are setting an example that will be repeated by your kids as they grow.

8. Make Memories & Be in the Present
I love the iPhone. It is awesome. It takes great pics we can later share with others. It allows us to keep the kids busy while waiting in long lines. It makes it easier to connect if my husband and I get separated. But many times we are preoccupied with Facebook, email, and our mobile device instead of enjoying the quality time before us. Make memories. Allow your "internet connection to go down" while you are in the present. Cherish the family time. The internet will be there when you return from your vacation as well.  

How was your last vacation?
Can you relate?
What is your take-away from this post?

Theme Park 101 - PART 1

Then you will walk on your way securely,

 and your foot will not stumble. 

-Proverbs 3:23

I am POOPED! I have spent the last 5 days in Walt Disney World theme parks. Tonight I pulled my minivan into the driveway mentally & physically exhausted. I also was thoroughly excited to climb into my bed and just relax. Our trip was awesome making sweet memories my kids will file into the memory banks of their minds. I have some simple and valuable lessons learned I want to share with you.

1. Make a Schedule 

Plan out each day what you hope to do or where you plan to go.     Look up show times and write them out in the "notes" part of

your phone so you always have them with you. This allows you     to have a goal each day of things you'd like to see/do. With 

kids the days always seem to flow better with a plan.

2. Make a Budget

Know how much you allot to spend before you leave your home on vacation. Save up extra money weeks prior if need be. Try making a jar and putting extra cash in it for spending money. Set up times to eat a simple meal (PB & J) and plan a fun eating out time too. Look for simple ways to make your vacation special while staying on the budget you have set. Many times we don't set a budget which causes us to frivolously spend money we don't have instead of proceeding with caution.

3. Make Expectations Known 

Follow through with rewards & consequences early on in your vacation, with your children, and you will reap major rewards the rest of your trip. Allow your kids some "pre-activity" where you tell them what is expected and the benefits of obeying. This also gives them the chance to understand the "if-then" concept. Many times we "let it go" and the kids grasp that they don't have to obey 

because they are away from home. This causes much tension and frustration. Share what behavior is expected and allow them to WOW you! 

 4. Melt Downs WILL Happen

I was standing in the concession line @ Disney and saw a mom struggle to order food... as her boys were having a melt down. It was so refreshing. I stood there thinking I am not alone. All parents experience kids having melt downs at some point during a tiring and exhausting day. It never fails. Each time we go to a theme park... my kids have multiple meltdowns throughout the day. I am always shocked because they are at the "happiest place on earth." If you stop and "people watch" during your stay at the theme park you will see you are NOT alone. 

How was your last vacation?

Can you relate?  

What is your take-away from this post?

PART 2 COMING SOON.......