Relationship Rescue: Family Adventures Are Rapidly Approaching

Family Adventures Are Rapidly Approaching

Dear Readers:

Sometimes family adventures happen in the most unusual of times…and places. Here is a story outlining just that. And sometimes, lessons can be learned from every situation.

Camp and vacation time are rapidly approaching. I would love to share a funny, heartwarming story with our readers regarding our vacation plans last summer. Every year my children go to a “sleep away” special needs camp run by the JCC in our area. It helps us all get a break and gives my children the ability to have a little independence. At first, this was a very difficult decision for us, as parents, to make because there are always the “what if’s” that may occur while you are making the arrangements. We have friends who were able to give us their time share in St. Kitts for next to nothing. So my husband and I decided to surprise our children with this upon their return.  We had not taken a family vacation in quite some time due to finances and stress levels. I don’t have to tell you that it is so much work taking a special needs child away and even more so if you have two with challenges. Well, they behaved like champs! My husband and I were so proud of them. We had a wonderful time until the hurricane arrived and, needless to say, we were grounded in St. Kitts for another four days.

When we were able to arrange flight times again, the airline would not cooperate despite our pleas of having children with challenges. We all camped out in airports for two days, sleeping on the floors covered with the clothes from our suitcases. My kids were great because we kept saying “this is our family adventure” “how lucky are we that we have beds and a house to go home to when there are people who actually live like this”. When you teach your children well, believe it or not, they hear you. They may not understand at first, but your reactions and responses will dictate what will lead them. The more relaxed we were, and matter of fact, the less they reacted. Despite the lack of sleep we laughed and said “never again”. My children have been asking us for the same adventure and my husband and I just giggle, exchange glances and say “maybe some year” and sigh deeply.

Happy New Year!

Robin Newman LCSW PC

Have a question for “Relationship Rescue”. Send an email to advice@parentingspecialneeds.org. Please make sure to put “Ask Robin” in email subject line.

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This post originally appeared on our May/June 2012 Magazine