How to Enjoy the Weekend with Your Family Even Without the Painstaking Process of Planning

During the weekend the family decided, out on impulse, to go to a mountain resort. No plans was made prior to that day, but everything went very smoothly and we all had one great and fun and memorable family time together.

So how do you prepare for an impulsive outing?

1. Surprise the family of what you have in mind and where you want to go for the day. Maybe you want to go fishing, or laze along the beach or enjoy the fresh, cool air at the nearest mountain resort?  Suggest the idea to the whole family.  You might get surprised by their enthusiasm. Once the place has been decided, give each member of your household half an hour or an hour at most to prepare themselves and throw some needed extra clothes in their backpacks. You could also bring your dog if pets are allowed in your destination.

2. Bring only what you need. Like water jugs or picnic chairs and umbrellas. If you have available chips and sodas in the fridge you could bring, set them in the basket. But if nothing is available at home to bring, you can have a short stop at some grocery store to buy some chips and drinks. This is so you could save extra expenses because foods at the resorts are sold at almost twice the price compared to your grocery store prices. Also stop by the nearest food chain to take-out something for lunch. If not, your family could always choose to eat at the resorts restaurant.

You're on your way then to your picnic place.

3. Along the way, turn on the radio or play songs you know your kids could sing along to. Or if the mood is one of fun discourse between family members, tune down the volume of the radio and join in the exchange of ideas with your kids. Keep the cheerful atmosphere throughout the day.

4. At the picnic site, your kids will want to explore the place. You could take a walk with them or let them go by themselves for a while, if you know it is safe and they're old enough to do so, but make sure that they be back by lunch so you could eat together. Then you and your spouse could laze around the site, drinking some cold soda, enjoying the view and sharing a leisurely talk, or just savoring the moment of being together and away from the routine of the office and home. Or you could explore the site and catch up with your children. If they went swimming, you could join them and have some fun in the water, too. They would surely appreciate it.

5. Eat lunch together and continue with the cheerful conversation. This would be a good time to share about your childhood anecdotes and start reminiscing the childhood experiences of your kids while they were growing up. You could also talk about your dreams and their dreams of what they want to take up for college, but avoid sensitive discussions that would turn into arguments. Remember, this is a family picnic, and the purpose is to enjoy the day in each other's company.

6. Take lots of pictures during the outing and place one in a picture frame in your living room, where you could always see it. This would gladden your heart every time you see it. And this would surely be another memory to look back to by the whole family and reminisce again on another future picnic date.

7. Drive home safely.

8. And thank each one for a fun day at the picnic before the night ends.

Be spontaneous once in a while. Have a happy and memorable day with your family this coming weekend.