Talk about a year, huh? After a scary and chaotic 2020, I’m sure we all have our fingers crossed that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Summer is around the corner – last year’s summer was weighed down by a universal feeling of FOMO as we did our best to keep our families safe and healthy while trying our best to maintain an air of normalcy.
The good news? The summer of ’21 will not be the summer of ’20.
The bad news? We’re not out of the woods just yet.
Luckily, we have a much more sophisticated understanding of the COVID-19 virus, vaccines are in the process of distribution, and recreation will certainly be much more open than last year. This is good news: more orthodox summer activities and trips are available. Still, caution and thoughtfulness are of the essence – the last thing anyone would want is an incredible summer tainted by an outbreak in the family. While we needn’t live in perpetual fear, the pandemic has shed light on less than hygienic practices and environments to which we previously paid little attention.
The first rule of summer fun still applies:
Wear sunscreen.
No matter the circumstances of the world around us, the sun will not socially distance from your skin. A healthy and happy summer free of sunburns and long-term health concerns is the beginning and end of any preparation. Hydration is also just as important, especially with outdoor recreation being more favorable than ever – be sure to carry lots of water at all times, no matter the setting.
Outdoor activities with plenty of space for social distancing aren’t simply safer, they’re also better for your wallet. Consider the following alternatives:
· Instead of a swimming pool, go to the beach
· Instead of an amusement park, go camping
· Instead of taking a cruise, take a family road trip
It’s frustrating to adjust behavior and tempting to flout common sense, especially when it seems that plenty of others will take the risk. The frugal parent will see this not as a hindrance but a golden opportunity to expose their children to other exciting alternatives than big budget trips and places. If there’s one thing the new normal has taught us, it’s that ingenuity can keep us just as happy with or without the convenience we’ve grown accustomed to. Happy travels this summer!
