Part of the success of the media management job is to be prepared. Be prepared for moments where you are tired and the kids are too and everyone’s default (including yours) is to get plugged into technology instead of being creative and thinking of outdoor things to do. When those moments hit, I turn to my fool proof standbys: basketball hoops in the driveway, baseball in the front yard, four square in the driveway or time in the pool or on the trampoline. When we reach the next level of empty tanks and even those don’t seem to provide the necessary activity distraction, I turn to my secret weapons. Like Mary Poppins pulls magical things out of her bag, I pull magical things out of my secret hiding place. Today I will bring your attention to the Skyrocket:
Like the Stomp rocket this little foam jewel works wonders with kids of all ages, trust me, even your older teens will play with them. These Skyrockets are only $3.99 and worth much more that that! I have learned to keep three or more on hand, two for the boys plus one because another child usually appears in my yard when the rockets come out. Where Stomp Rockets usually end up on the roof these don’t (they shoot them at each other instead). They also run around the yard a lot more with the Skyrockets. The key is to collect them after they are done for the day and put them back in hiding. If the rockets hang out in the garage they will either get run over by the car or bike or broken another mysterious way. Put them back in your secret place to be brought out again when the moment hits.
Be prepared. Find a few (not expensive) things to hide away for those moments when everyone needs a fresh idea but lacks the energy to come up with something on their own. Remember, getting them outside is the key to getting them unplugged.