Show Page 4 The Millard County Gazette -- May 11 2004 KJSU Offers Help Far FEummavn SzaccessftuiE FurmnEp WaiCituBms Answer by: Tom State University and Family Development The saying “The Lee Utah Extension Human Specialist family that mean that healthy families do everything together a balance of shared and individual activities is important In most busy families however the leisure plays together stays together” has been supported by several recent studies Strong families spend both work and leisure time together This doesn’t time spent together doesn’t occur unless it is planned The family vacation is an important way for families to strengthen their ties You like the beach and your spouse likes the mounThe kids tains? to go to want Disneyland? leisure Differing are preferences the rule rather than the exception I toys crayons or books Take games to play in the car and books or music to play on the tape or CD player Reintroduce grandparents and relatives If you are vishelp iting relatives each child be ready to see them by reviewing photos talking about them and preparing the child for hugs and kisses with people they may not have seen recently Be kid oriented Adults like to see things kids like t0 doo no study 75 per- of cent ? families about what to do with their leisure differences are These time more likely to occur as children get older Holding a family council especially with grade school and teenage children is a good way to reach a decision about the family vacation A family council is not just calling the children together to teH’them what Mom and Dad have decided It is a way to make a decision that everyone has been part of These basic steps should be included: reported "disagreeing It Dobs Ucdcrcrcacd licb-ProssC- Primal Gcs linos cf Qcostcr Gas Ccriany CALL DEFOQE YOU DIO Stat law requires that if you are doing any excavating seismic work road grading building or other construction you must notify the appropriate company two working days prior to commending your project A Questar Gas Company representative will come locate and mark its existing un derground pipelines for you at no charge Questar Gas is a participant in the following utility notification centers: For Utah Blue Stakes Wyoming Idaho One-Ca- a list -- 000662-41 1 1 Dig Line of eompanie Do 1 of Wyoming operating pipelines in your area visit wwwnpmsjrtpadotgov a bio to roeognlco cd report pjpollao bacar6 The uncommon conditions below may indicate a pipeline problem or emergency Please immediately report a problem by calling 1 Mlwkifl Mewing wmI f Dtrt Mown Xm PW into air at or blowing manoAng IfOMlIw Into h air otapaml grvwmd lu4W1rg action of oteWa Vaagfin Wad or torfota EMERGENCY TELEPHONE TOLL-FR- (Day or liight) Hetaen 099" wW Identify the issue (where to go what to do on vacation) Brainstorm ideas (without evaluation at this stage just get ideas from everyone) Evaluate the alternatives Select an option Think about it for a few days gather more information See if everyone still feels the same about the decision modify it if necessary Implement the decision and begin planning Some families may have a summer vacation tradition or activity they participate in each year This makes the decisionmaking part easier These vacation traditions can be an important part of a family’s identity and roots “Are we there yet?” or “How much longer is it?” may be the next words parents hear once the destination is determined and the bags are packed Consider these suggestions to help children enjoy the family vacation too Prepare them Discuss how you will travel and what you will see Read books about the destination Plan activities Help each prepare a small box with child Both adults and things children will be happier if children are not expected to behave like adults When families spend time together on vacation it can sometimes create conflict The family is not used to being cooped up in the few square feet of car space or spending all day together when they have ordinarily only been dinner Such at timetogether changes may create conflict must be and adjustments made This is very normal It is a good idea then to plan both free time and time for indeGroups pendent activities within the family can combine for activities For example Dad and daughter can go shopping while Mom and son look for shells Travel logs postcards photographs or videos are all excellent ways to preserve vacation memories The recollection of shared happy experiences can be as important in creating closeness as the actual vacation As children grow and leave home for school military these or other experiences memories will be more valuable than other things the vacation money could have on been spent The primary benefit of vacations can be enhanced interA personal communication change of routine allows us to see family members in a new way and to learn more about them When free from daily pressures it is often easier to discuss problems or concerns that began before a vacation A vacation will provide opporof tunities for expressions and for enjoyappreciation wilT ment of one another that fill the reservoir of family unity and caring to sustain through future dry spells |