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Father’s Day Part IV: Create an Environment Where Your Family Wants to Be

by Jessica Parnell | Jun 16, 2016 | 2 min read

While Father’s Day quickly approaches, we have already given tips for spending time with your family, capturing the moment with each of your kids, and tackling a challenge together. Each of these posts are designed to encourage you to make lasting memories a priority in your family, and I hope each blog has been an inspiration. 

If you are reading in the middle of the series, I challenge you to go back and take a look at each Father’s story starting with day 1: Father’s Day Part I- Reflections. But, if you are ready for today’s words of wisdom, read on!

Create an Environment Where Your Family Wants to Be

Meet Robert, my wonder father. I remember the summer of 1999 when my dad, in true memory maker fashion, blindfolded our entire family, loaded us into separate cars and explained that he was taking us to his super, “secret hideaway.” About 30 minutes later we arrived at what we learned to call, “The Hideout.”

The Hideout consisted of a run-down trailer, a small shed, a fairly large grassy area, and a dock located on the edge of a frigid waterway. As excited as he was, the rest of us could only see a lot of work ahead of us.

But, my dad had a vision for that place that we could not see.

  
With the help of his grandchildren, he turned that place into our entire family’s home away from home. He convinced the kids to help him dig up the seaweed and create a swimming hole; he taught them how to kayak, and he even showed them a fun place where they could cliff jump and ride the rapids on inner tubes. They worked with him to create a floating dock and shopped nearby yard sales to stock up on bikes for all of the 19 grandchildren. And, at night they learned how to light a fire, roast hot dogs and stuff themselves with s’mores.  

But the hideout was not just a home for his grandkids.

It was a home for everyone—and we spent many weekends there every summer. My dad wanted the Hideout to be a place that we would truly treasure.  And it was! Our kids grew up making memories with their cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents–all part of my Dad’s vision for a Hideout adventure.  

Words of Wisdom: 

Even though it takes some time and planning, creating something exclusive for your family, something that gets everyone involved and excited, is absolutely worth it!  Take some time today to talk with your family to take note of everyone’s interests.

Do you already have your own “secret hideout?”  We would love to hear how your family enjoys time together!  Share in a comment below! And don’t forget to join us for our next Father’s Day post- Dating Your Daughter.

Jessica Parnell
Hello everyone! I’m Jessica Parnell — mom, homeschool evaluator, teacher, and CEO of Bridgeway Academy. In my 20+ years of experience as a homeschool mom and evaluator, I have had the privilege of meeting homeschoolers that take a variety of approaches to their education. It is their many stories and successes that inspire me in my own homeschooling and I love to pass on the knowledge that I have gained from them to other homeschooling families. The one constant that always remains true is that there’s no such thing as a “cookie cutter child.” Each child is fearfully and wonderfully made and as a result, learns and functions differently. It’s our job to ensure that we’re raising each child to fulfill their individual purpose and when we can teach in a way that inspires them, we are on our way to homeschool success. When I’m not writing or teaching my children, I like to ski, write and participate in triathlons. I graduated from Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters in English and I am currently pursuing a degree in Neuroleadership.
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