My kids are 8 & 11 and are in Grade 3 & 6. Just like us sometimes they need a break. So I let them stay home from school even when they’re not sick.
We don’t over schedule (as much as we can with two active kids) but sometimes life piles up. Big family changes, busy weekends, changes in school, and growth spurts sometimes all pile up in one messy ball of emotion and they get to a point where they just cannot function.
So they get to stay home. No questions asked.
I will say that this does not happen often. We trust them to make a judgement call when they need it and this power has yet to be abused. So far in this school year the youngest has taken one day and the oldest has taken two. They are rarely sick (knock on wood) and although we travel occasionally they don’t often have to miss a ton of school.
I can usually tell as soon as they wake up that they are going to use the “free pass” that day. Sometimes they will wake up, start playing into it and talking about staying home but 99% of the time they perk up, eat their breakfast and continue on with their day. But the other 1%? They tell me they just need a day.
A day to stay in bed. Read. Build Lego while listening to their podcasts. Watch their favourite cartoons. Cuddle.
I know the privilege I have to be able to work from home and adjust to their needs. I am grateful I have kids who do not take advantage of this. I get that this will not work for every family.
But for us this works. And as they grow up and become adults I hope that they learn that it’s OK to take a day to recharge.
Deanne Ferguson is the owner of Box Social Event Planning. When she is not planning fun, family, friendly events she is finding the yummiest food for the Edmonton Home and Garden Show Food Stage. She loves her #cocktailMonday dates with her husband and chasing around her two boys. You can find her at @DeanneFerguson on Instagram and @BoxSocialYEG on Twitter
Choosing activities for your children can not only be overwhelming but frustrating as well. There are SO many options out there now. And when your child is young it is impossible to tell what they’re interested in besides listening to Baby Shark on repeat and asking to watch Paw Patrol for the 10000000000000th time.
Hands up if you base your hotel booking on how awesome the pools are? With 3 kids it’s definitely one of the top must-haves on our list. A standard two-loop waterslide isn’t enough to make it on this list – these pools all have more than your typical Best Western “cool” pool. Whether you’re still looking for a getaway during the summer or a fun “stay”-cation here is a list of hotels with awesome pools across Alberta!
Updated June 25, 2023
When we go camping, we love checking out activities that are local to the area that we are staying in and that includes checking out some of the best outdoor pools in Alberta! Here are some that you can put on your list!
Are you looking for a CAMPGROUND with a pool? Check out this post: Campgrounds with Pools in Alberta: Plan a Splashing Good Time! All the campgrounds listed are open to the public – you don’t need to have a membership to stay in them.
Have you heard about Take A Kid To The Course?
This amazing program starts on July 2nd, 2023 and is available to kids under 16. Aimed at getting kids outside, away from their screens, and making lifetime memories, Take A Kid To The Course allows kids to golf free (often when accompanied by a paying adult, but rules vary by course). Whether you and your family are avid golfers or are just looking to try golfing out the Take a Kid to the Course program is a great way to try golfing with the family and save some money at the same time!
We’re the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) and we’d like to say “thanks!” Specifically, thanks to Alberta Mamas and Bella Maas for making us a part of their July fundraising collaboration.
AWA is one of Alberta’s oldest conservation organizations, founded in 1965 around a kitchen table in Pincher Creek. Since then our goal has been to raise awareness and inspire people to care about the protection of Alberta’s wildlife and wild spaces. In addition to our day-to-day conservation efforts we host talks, offer hikes, and hold fundraising events like the Climb for Wilderness and Wild West Saloon.
The new year fun doesn’t have to stop once you have kids, it just looks…. different… and happens a lot earlier than midnight (thank goodness).
Hit up some of these mostly FREE family-friendly New Years Eve events across Alberta this New Years and then head home to the warmth of your couch to bring the New Years in with your jammies on and a glass of champagne in hand 🙂