If - At the Park

Spring is here and as surely as night follows day summer will soon be welcoming everyone to its long afternoons and family get-a-ways . With this in mind, I have decided to post a public service message to those families embarking on theme park excursions. A way to keep your head if you will...

If you can keep your cash when all about you

are spending theirs and coming to you

Encouraging forcing children to earn their spending money ahead of time is a plus (We made ours volunteer a day to earn their tickets) Also helpful is using the gift shops as an attraction - not an area to spend. We prefer to try things on, take pics and move-on. "Yeah, you look great in that hat - and now we have a pic, what more do you need?"

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

but make allowances for their doubting too;

Have a map - preferably before hand or make time to plan a route. Heck, they're free and make great pseudo-souvenirs get a map for everyone and let the kids see where you are and where you are headed. Personally, I like the rest stops!

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting

The waiting sucks, and it is tiring. In families with various ages, sending older ones off to hit certain activities is a great plan. Photo happy moments are strongly encouraged whenever you cross their paths. To prove later in life that they were in fact present

Or being cut and shoved, don't lose your smiles

Or facing hunger, allow for snacking 

Keep your backpack stocked with water and easy snacks. It is well worth the extra line.

Think of the exercise, your burning miles!

 Especially on the hike back to your car!

If you can walk with crowds and keep your cool

Or be rained on - be prepared for rain, the parks empty and the ponchos are a fortune - bring your own

Or watch your princess fill with a joyous flush

If teens take sibs willingly to swim the pool

Let them! Enjoy your break, grab a drink and walk over later!

If kids say thank you in a spontaneous gush

Come-on what parent doesn't eat that up?

If you can find your hubby's perfect toy

Go ahead a splurge - who doesn't like a keepsake?

And accommodations in which to sleep

Yours is the world filled with enchantment and joy

And which is more - memories to keep

(ok a bit long winded - but blame Kipling!)