The kids were out of school last Friday andmy husband took the day off so we could spend it as a family, doing something fun. I narrowed our choices down to the beach, the zoo, or Busch Gardens (we still have a free military pass to use). My husband decided on the beach, it was supposed to be a really nice day (and it was) and we hadn’t been to the beach in quite a while.
Wow, I forgot how much work it takes to just “go to the beach for the day”. I’m sure that I over-pack, over-plan, and over-extend myself, but I do it with the kids and my husband in mind. I want them to have everything they need, have a good time, and not have to worry about everything. This trip I borrowed a wagon from a friend so that we could bring all the “stuff” without my husband having to make four or five trips from the car to the sand. I also planned for a spot that rents beach chairs and umbrella’s so that we didn’t have to bring our own this time. I do have to say, renting was a very good idea since we planned to stay all day.
Taking a child with sensory issues to the beach is always going to be a challenge. I don’t want to say that I do it on purpose, but I do make Jaxon come along because I know it is good for him to get dirty once in a while and I know that overall, he will have a good time. Yes, the first hour or so had a few moments of panic (on both of our parts) not only because of all the sand, but also because of the annoying birds! But when all was said and done, Jaxon spent over an hour building a sand castle, digging in the sand for sea shells, and enjoying himself. I do have to say, pushing him out of his comfort zone from time to time can be good for him. If you are in the Tampa area, I highly recommend going over to Clearwater (near Pier 60) and renting from the Hilton, they have a cabana with drinks and snacks for sale, bathrooms, renting equipment is a lot easier than dragging your own if you plan to stay for the day!
Wow, I forgot how much work it takes to just “go to the beach for the day”. I’m sure that I over-pack, over-plan, and over-extend myself, but I do it with the kids and my husband in mind. I want them to have everything they need, have a good time, and not have to worry about everything. This trip I borrowed a wagon from a friend so that we could bring all the “stuff” without my husband having to make four or five trips from the car to the sand. I also planned for a spot that rents beach chairs and umbrella’s so that we didn’t have to bring our own this time. I do have to say, renting was a very good idea since we planned to stay all day.
Taking a child with sensory issues to the beach is always going to be a challenge. I don’t want to say that I do it on purpose, but I do make Jaxon come along because I know it is good for him to get dirty once in a while and I know that overall, he will have a good time. Yes, the first hour or so had a few moments of panic (on both of our parts) not only because of all the sand, but also because of the annoying birds! But when all was said and done, Jaxon spent over an hour building a sand castle, digging in the sand for sea shells, and enjoying himself. I do have to say, pushing him out of his comfort zone from time to time can be good for him. If you are in the Tampa area, I highly recommend going over to Clearwater (near Pier 60) and renting from the Hilton, they have a cabana with drinks and snacks for sale, bathrooms, renting equipment is a lot easier than dragging your own if you plan to stay for the day!
