Tuesday, August 8, 2017

A GRANDPARENTS “STAY-CATION” GUIDE FOR WHEN THE KIDS GO BACK TO SCHOOL

                                        (Above: Maui County GRANDcares program participants Photo:Christine Spencer)
             
The countdown for the start of school this year has begun. For grandparents this is an incredibly busy time of year.  Registering for classes, filling out paperwork, hunting for school supplies, on top of managing the day to day tasks of parenting - it can be overwhelming! If this is you, there probably hasn’t been much time to even think about what you are going to do when the kids are away at school all day. 

The beginning of the new school year is a great opportunity for a start fresh. It can be a time to focus on activities that improve your health and reduce your stress. 

Set aside some “vacation time” for yourself - the destination is your door step. Start your “stay-cation” by asking yourself a few questions such as:

What is it that I love to do but haven’t been doing lately?
When was the last time I spent time with a friend?
Where is my daily physical pain, and how can I decrease that pain?

Taking care of your mental and physical health is just as important as taking care of your grandchildren.  After the grandchildren are dropped off at school, the first few weeks may seem to pass quickly.  There are plenty of things to do around the house, to clean and organize, and to catch up from the busy summer.

But make sure you find time for relaxation.  It can be valuable to have a day with a bit of peace and quiet.  Take some time to be reflective. Go for a long walk. Take some time to re-connect with yourself and friends. Planning a “stay-cation” for yourself where you relax at home without getting caught up in housework tasks is a simple way to start planning time for yourself and your mental health. Spend time doing activities you enjoy doing at home, such as gardening or reading a book.

Feeling left out?

If you aren’t at work when the kids go to school, sometimes it can get a little lonely when the house is empty.  Don’t worry- you are not alone.  A great way to get physically active is to join free exercise related activities in the community. This will improve physical health and help build social networks.  Check out this link to find out more about fun, safe and inexpensive activities to enjoy this fall in Maui: http://www.mauinews.com/news/community-news/2017/07/fun-safe-and-inexpensive-activities-to-enjoy-with-grandchildren/

For our grandfamilies in Colorado, follow this link and download a full list of activities in Larimer County: https://www.fcgov.com/recreator/.

Aside from increasing your physical activity, there are other ways to feel more involved for instance, joining a “mommy” or parenting group.  Many “mommy” groups are open to parents and caregivers of all types, including grandparents. You can easily join the GRANDcares Hawaii Facebook Page or the Maui Mommies Group to get started.  For Larimer County, you can check out the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County Facebook page or subscribe to their listserve to receive messages about upcoming parenting classes.  These are free resources, that promote family-friendly networking and activities. Additionally, you can find out more information on helpful resources for grandfamilies on our website http://grandcares.colostate.edu/resources/.


Sending the kids back to school, is the perfect time to kick-start the healthy habits that will help you feel stronger and sharper year-round.  It’s the easiest time of year to become your best self.


For more information contact: 
Christine Spencer, GRANDCares Site Coordinator, Maui County
grandcaresmaui@gmail.com