10 Responses to “Step up Dads! It’s Vacation Time”

1. Perry McKinnon Says:
   May 29th, 2008 at 3:58 pm

   Todd - What a blessing! Thank you for posting it! Did you catch yourself hearing CJ’s voice when you read it…I did. He writes like he speaks.

   I recognized myself in both of the dads he described in the beginning.
   The Dad at Disneyland
   “The children are tired, cranky, and hungry. And the father has been passing his time while standing in line reflecting on the serious chunk of his salary he invested in this forgettable experience”.

   And

   The Dad at the Beach
   “And if he’s not careful and purposeful, this father can wrongly assume that location alone guarantees a wonderful and memorable vacation. It’s possible for this father to view the family vacation as a peaceful and beautiful context where he can primarily rest and relax with little required of him”.

   Was he spying on me during my last 15 vacations with the family?

   As I read through his list of 7 lessons he’s learned as a father I had to stop and chuckle when I got to the third.
   1. A Servant Heart…check. 2. A Tone-Setting Attitude…check. 3. An Awareness of Indwelling Sin…check??? I can’t wait for the next post!

   By far the most convicting thing he said was:

   “Family vacations provide a unique opportunity each year for fathers to create memories their children will never forget. Memories that will last a lifetime. Memories that will be recreated by your children with your grandchildren. Memories that will outlive a father. But in order to create these memories, a father must be diligent to serve and lead during a vacation. How a father views his role on a vacation will make all the difference in the vacation”.

   Wow. I feel like I’ve wasted so many opportunities. My prayer at this point is for the Lord’s enabling and another chance to do it right.

   I’ll read part 2 tomorrow and get back to you.

2. Ken Says:
   May 29th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

   My wife says be flexible (and she just said, “Don’t blog me.”)
   My tip- turn off the cell phone, (You are not that important!) and focus on your kids. They will be gone in a flash even when you spend time with them.You can never repeat these years.

3. Ken Says:
   May 29th, 2008 at 5:27 pm

   Another after thought… My dad AND step-dad both made our family vacations really exciting and adventureous in each of our families! We had no money to speak of in either home, but we went camping mostly and sometimes to a really, really cheap (I mean “cheap”,not just inexpensive!)cabin. My dad and step-dad always took the lead on these trips. This was before cell phones and personal computers, however, those never would have been allowed.(and my step-dad was even a real “techno” kind of guy!) We protested too about certain “restrictions”, just like kids today. But, it really forced us to “bond” and appreciate one another. I thank the Lord for their examples in this area. Ironically, neither of them were Christians, they were just well-taught about giving.

4. TW Says:
   May 29th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

   I realize this is a guy thing, but I would like to put my two cents in!!!! I agree with most of what is written in the article, but there is nothing about the views of what a wife may inject, into the ideas of the vacation. (maybe that is in part two) She is the center of the family and asking her view of what she might suggest, is I think, VERY IMPORTANT.
   She wells knows, what makes EVERYONE HAPPY.
   I realize the article is for husbands to get there eyes off themselves, and on to their families, which is a good thing. But, that does not mean you should not have a vacation too!!!!
   If there is joy in your heart, for all your family to have fun, etc. YOU AND THEY WILL HAVE IT.!!!!!
   Trust me… as a mom, been there and done it.
   Blessings…

5. Frank Ordaz Says:
   May 30th, 2008 at 7:50 am

   Todd,

   Thanks for the link. I somehow see the Grizwalds in the back of my mind when I think of over choreographing a Vacation. Dad wants to steer and control so much of the vacation that nobody ultimately has any fun.

   I can’t buy into the idea that the Dad has to be the most exhausted after the end of the day. I think you are seeing a post from an overachiever.

   We will be going on a family vacation this year and I hope to make some wonderful memories with my whole family. I have traded a painting for a weeks stay at the BoxR Ranch in Ashland Oregon. Hopefully, I have been a servant during the year and a good parent all along so that we can all enjoy each others company by laughing and running and swimming and eating and hiking,,,wait a minute I am getting exhausted just writing about all we plan to do……he may be right…..

6. Crabby Magnolia Says:
   May 30th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

   Wherever we go…there we are!

   Todd,
   The fact that you are looking forward to time with your wife and children says it all. So, whether you are “vacating” the front yard to go to the back yard or “vacating” the foothills to go to the beach, it’s bound to be good.

7. Jon Says:
   May 30th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

   What a great post Todd. Brings back great memories. I’m glad CJ started with a servants heart. It has born out to be the most important starting point for me.(painfully by grace). When I’m going on vacation FOR ME it doesn’t go well for any of us. When I go for US/THEM we have had great camping and cabin vacations over the years. Many times the important leadership is flexibilty and allowing kids to do different things as small groups.
   Here is something special we have done on long drives to our destination. We have played Adventures in Odyssey tapes and listened to these very funny and insightful stories for the drive. Our children loved them so much that when they were growing up they would refer to time in terms of an odyssey (about 30 minutes). We would save up the most recent new odysseys for our next vacation and it would fill the long drive time with great memories. To this day we all love to listen (especially dad) to these stories on our long drives to visit family in LA.
   We would always go on hikes. Sometimes long ones where dad and mom were carrying the kids on the way back.(dad had to forgo his longed for afternoon nap many times to make the long hike, but God always blessed the time, and dad just went to bed early)
   I have learned (the hard way) that dad always needs to lead the dishwashing crew and clean up at the campgrounds/cabins.
   We’re going camping in Yosemite next week and my daughter from Seattle is flying in to go. Guess there were some good memories, enough to bring her down for more Odysseys!
   A lot of the tone of the trip is set by mom’s prior to leaving as she gets all the eats together. Dad’s can help by having all the camping stuff ready and being available for last minute things (and there will be).
   Some of the best memories are just time spent being and doing. Looking for shells on the beach, taking the canoe to the island, riding the bikes to the Yosemite ice cream shack, frisbee, falling asleep on the beach, bonfires on the beach, just going to a new place/hideout/trail as an adventure.
   The father can set the tone weeks/months before in a anticpation of the adventure or fun in just being together.
   Sorry this was so long but CJ’s post really struck a chord.

8. Todd Johnson Says:
   May 30th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

   whether C.J. is an overachiever or not, I don’t know. This article hits a nerve with me personally because I can become pretty selfish with vacation time. On any given day my wife goes to bed more tired than I am. The same can be true while on vacation unless I’m careful to not let that happen.

   I think we are all different and are living with a different set of circumstances. At our stage of life, raising four kids ranging from 3 to 16, my wife & kids need a servant leader, fun dad, & considerate husband.

   C.J. spoke at a pastors’ conference that I attended in January, and the first issue he addressed before teaching us the Bible, was the issue of being thankful to our wives for allowing us the time away from home to attend a conference, relax a bit, and receive from the Lord. He really pressed this on us like it is something near and dear to him. He is right, and I can see He is making this one of the notes he is going to play during his post-pastorate years. I’m thankful for this emphasis.

9. Perry McKinnon Says:
   May 30th, 2008 at 10:38 pm

   I read the rest of the post and the topic on “Indwelling Sin” was right on. It seems the first thing to go when on vacation is morning devotions and the need seems much greater during that time because temptations supper abound. Thanks again Todd. Keep’em coming!

10. Frank Ordaz Says:
    June 1st, 2008 at 2:04 pm

    Todd,

    I may have left the wrong impression. Overall C.J. is right on and I am challenged not to have “Vacation” mean a “Vacation from God”.

    I like when he advises to be engaged with your children to make the time memorable. He says that vacation is a wonderful time to make a lasting generational impression. That I like.

    My dad was the type he mentioned where vacation meant ..I have brought you to the destination, now have fun..see yah. Kinda sad. But it has helped me in that when I am on vacation I want to do the opposite and I want to play with my children, and I want to be an active part of their life and also include Jesus in the mix. And also save a little energy for the Mrs.

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