The MomSpeak

All this reflecting that we at Being Savvy (at The Savvy Source for Parents) have been doing about the delights of vacation and the pleasures of home has made us think: surely there are great ways to bring some of that escapist fun into our daily life without breaking the bank, right?

Indeed there are. Whether work schedules or gas prices or both or neither are the reasons you are pinching pennies and staying put these days, consider these Savvy ways to bring a vacation to you!

The number one most popular way, it seems, to escape the mundane is simply to mix it up a little bit. Break up the monotony. Go with the unexpected. Depart, even just momentarily, from that carefully crafted routine that both you and your preschooler cling to.

And – what joy! – these mix-it-ups are usually free or practically so!

Break from routine

Take inspiration from Ginger Carlson and declare today a “Yes Day” where you’ll simply go with (almost) any crazy scheme, meal, idea, activity that your preschooler can dream up. Doesn’t cost a thing to throw away the usual doubts and just say yes!

Have breakfast for dinner. Pancakes are even more soothing for supper, it seems. Steal a preschool fave and make it pajama day (or evening) too. Parents can come to the table in pjs, robes, slippers and night cream too. If you really feel like gilding the lily, add grilled cheese for breakfast. With a milkshake instead of a smoothie. (Yes, we just gave you permission to serve ice cream for breakfast!)

Take a trip without leaving

Go to the beach at home. Inside or out. Towels, beach chairs, bathing suits, (MoonSand) sandcastles, the whole shebang. No hotel bills, yes to homemade delight!

Screen a flick. Darken the shades, pop popcorn, break out the Raisinets, turn off the phone, cuddle up on the couch or on specially aligned “theatre seats” you’ve tugged into place. (Check out Common Sense Media for suggestions of which preschooler-friendly DVD to pick. Or start with Mary Poppins!) Parental warning: this can easily become a regular “movie night” routine, which you’ll then be forced to break again just to keep things interesting! Also, remember that your local public library often keeps family movies in its children’s collection – so check their first!

Make the old new again

Box up the toys, put ‘em away in a closet or garage and break out some “new” old ones when you need a rotation. All of a sudden your darling one is fully engaged by all the great stuff she seemed not to see a month or two ago. A bargain and a treat, all without spending a dime.

Be a tourist in your own hometown. Hit the museums (perhaps on the free admission day that almost all museums have once a month), the historical spots, the places you shun as an insider. Visit your own city like you don’t know it at all. If you’ve forgotten how to do that, check our local Being Savvy vacation guides for inspiration! (Just go to the Being Savvy near you drop-down menu on our home page and start planning your trip without a trip!)

Enjoy your summer staycation!!