Lake Life - How to Demand Family Time
- Paige Patterson
- Jun 25, 2014
- 2 min read
"My kids are just growing up so fast, Paige."
My first buyer for waterfront property in 2013 was in tears as she wrote an offer for a 2nd home. It wasn't even listed yet, and there were three interested parties. Jan Ware of Mountain Brook wrote a page-long explanation of what a 2nd home would mean to her family of 6. Even though her offer wasn't the highest; it was the best.

I hear it constantly . . ..
"I want to give my children a reason to hang out with us instead of their friends' families."
"Pretty soon, the world will have them. I want to give them memorable summers."
"It doesn't have to be fancy . . . part of the fun is stacking kids to the ceiling on air mattresses."
"Coming to the lake is the best thing I ever did for my family."
Water is magic. Surround a shy child with people who encourage him to cannonball off the pier, don goggles and dive, sit in the co-captian's boat chair, or help pack the snack bag for the beach - all of a sudden, the child changes. Let him reel in a fish, and you have a winner on your hands.

Anyone lookingfor an alternative to tech-driven hobbies/sports/pastimes?
Sailing - They can start at age 5.
Camping - Most Alabama lakes allow camping on the shoreline.
Swimming - No phones, iPads or game remotes allowed.
Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, tubing, Watermellon see spitting.
Opportunities to teach: Lakes have a unique ecosystem. Spend parent-child time re-learning while teaching your children about birds, trees, rocks, fish, snakes (!), and low-lying mammals (groundhogs, beavers, river otters, foxes). And the stars . . . be sure to bring your telescope and constellation guide. Pile those kids in your lap and soak it in!
Only at the lake.
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