21 Jul Family Vacation: 3 Activities to Please All Kids/Teens
Family Vacation: What Will We Do?
Your vacation is booked, bags are packed, and everyone is excited about their family vacation! You arrive at your destination, and no one can agree on anything to do. While family vacations are an exciting time, it can also lead to an increase in frustration and disagreements. This makes vacations stressful on everyone. Here are a few ideas that will provide quality family time together and ongoing laughter for all.
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Family Game Night
Whether it’s a rainy day and outdoor activities are limited, or the family is beat from engaging in non-stop vacation fun, a game night is never a bad idea. Games like Uno, Apples to Apples, Would You Rather?, Charades, and playing with a simple deck of cards, work well. Games help families have fun together, create lifelong memories, and strengthen family relationships.
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Family Talent Show
Showcase your talents in a family talent show! Surprise family members with a hidden talent that they would never expect from you, or put together a group lip sync act. Discuss this idea on the first day, and the talent show will be performed on the final night of the trip. This will give family members time to practice and bond together every day leading up to the big show! Let the little ones be involved in planning, and maybe even have them create rewards to give at the end (i.e. most creative, funniest, etc…). Make it fun! Get creative with props and sound effects. Record it, so the family can watch and laugh together for many years to come!
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Family Movie Night
Decide on a few movies prior to the trip to avoid the back and forth, “I don’t wanna watch…but we ALWAYS…NOT AGAIN!!” Movie night is a great way for families to wind down and relax at the end of a long day after engaging in vacation adventures. Make some popcorn, have the little ones build a fort, get lots of blankets and pillows, and just relax!
Quality over Quantity!
A family vacation is a special time together that allows everyone the ability to recharge, connect, and to take your mind off of the daily routine. Plan ahead and don’t overbook the day. Focus on enjoying the quality time together rather than non-stop activities all day long.
Kendra is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a child/adolescent specialization from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She also holds a Bachelors degree in Dance from Columbia College of Chicago. Kendra has worked with children, teens, adults, and families in a variety of settings including homes, schools, daycare centers, healthcare settings, and community mental health facilities since 1999.
Kendra employs a variety of approaches based on the individual needs of her clients. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), strength- based approaches, and play therapy in her sessions. She works with individuals who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, impulsivity, difficulties with attention and focus, behavioral issues, gender identity, self-esteem, stress management, infertility, and trauma. She feels it is important to ensure understanding through psycho-education throughout therapy, and works collaboratively with her clients to facilitate change. Kendra works to build healthy and appropriate coping skills to better manage her clients’ symptoms and stressors, and she supports all her clients throughout the therapeutic process as they strive toward achieving their desired goals.
When working with children and teens specifically, Kendra feels it is crucial to get on their level and incorporate humor, art, music, play, movement, and any other creative resources to connect with them. She assists families in exploring and modifying family dynamics, helps them to learn effective ways to communicate, and teaches conflict resolution skills and problem solving skills for interpersonal effectiveness. Kendra feels honored and privileged that clients allow her the opportunity to trust her with their inner thoughts and feelings, and to be a part of their journey. Kendra understands that it can be a difficult decision to start therapy, but has been told that she is warm, welcoming, supportive, and creates a non-judgmental environment.
When Kendra is not working with her clients, she enjoys new adventures with her daughter, husband, and miniature schnauzer, spending time with family and friends, working out, brunching, and traveling. Her daily dose of self-care is cooking and trying new recipes, which her family seems to appreciate!
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