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Lake Life - How to Demand Family Time
"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.
