Today, I give you the gift of an awesome idea. Now it’s easy via this internet (which I think just may catch on) to make it sound like all of one’s ideas are home runs so let me balance things out by telling you that once, a few years ago, I thought my oldest daughter would love it if I threw her in the pool. Fully clothed. In January. In 55 degree water. I don’t know why I thought that one would go over big but her screams and the next hour she spent crying still haunt me. If I forget about it she still reminds me. There, the equalizer.
But this idea is great. When that same daughter was about 4 we got dressed up in fancy clothes the day after Valentine’s Day and I took her on a carriage ride in a Princess Carriage (it looks like the one in Cinderella) downtown San Diego. After that we took the ferry to Coronado for lunch, play and ice cream and thus was born Daddy-Daughter Day Out. Which brought about Mommy-Daughter Day Out, Daddy-Son Day Out and, well, you get the idea. Every summer now each kid gets 1 full day to spend with each parent. The child gets to pick anything he or she wants to do, all day, and we just go and have fun. Since we are not the Vanderbilts they must choose something reasonable – Last year my son asked if we could fly to San Francisco for the day. I told him he wasn’t quite getting the spirit of the event. Other than that anything goes.
I am an early riser so whenever they want to get up we go. Formal breakfasts out have now turned into doughnut runs to preserve time for fun and then we are off. We find that the younger kids tend to try and cram 5 or 6 things into one day – beach, Science Center, Zoo, Aquarium etc. where the older ones have figured out that they can pick one or two awesome things and stay with them, making the day more fun and decreasing time in the car. This year my 3-year-old (Daddy’s Mean) made her debut. She went with my wife, last weekend, for “Popper Penguin, Wunch and Pwayground.” Not bad for her first time. No word on what she will do with me when it is my turn. For the others they tend to pick more active things with me like bike rides, water park etc. where they, at least the girls, choose more elegant activities with my wife like ice skating and afternoon tea at one of the local tea-eries. To end every Special Day Out we convene, all 6 of us, for dinner at the restaurant of whichever kid’s day it is’ choosing (again, within reason) where we are all regaled with stories of how the day went for each of us. It puts a nice end to things and we find that it is nice to get back together since we all miss each other – Well, my wife and I miss each other and the kids and the kids seem to miss us. I don’t know that the kids really miss each other.
So there it is, in all its awesomeness. We now, with all kids involved, have 8 weekend days blocked out for this summer. It’s a lot to commit to but we wouldn’t trade it for anything. If you have kids or a kid you must try this. It’s just so great for the invaluable one-on-one time you get with them. Please let me know how it goes.
Now Do it!
Bossy.
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Daddy Dream Life 
Thanks Tracey!!! What a fantastic idea. We will try it. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful family tradition with us readers. I can’t wait to see what our precious little pearls choose to do with their special solo days with mom and dad. I’ll let you know how it works out with our clan. I’m excited to tell them about it. Thanks again for sharing and for keeping your blog going. We look forward to it! Mike
I did this. I asked Natasha (our 9 year old) what she wanted to do on her special Daddy/Daughter day out; she asked me to drop her off at your house for the day. I tell you I get no respect.
Too funny.
I like this uncle Tracey. When I have the money I will definitely do this! Love you
I have always admired the way you two handle four kids while keeping it real. Well, Daddy-Daughter day etc. keeps everything right in the front – a little special time and then ritual of the whole unite with dinner..beautiful…you take the time to do it right.
Thanks! That and occasional trips to Hawaii make it just right.
How bout a grown-up kid sponsoring a day with their parents? ( I almost always look out for #1)
I think you will have to take that one up with Mommy Dream Life.
that’s just plain cool…sweet and simple.
That is a great idea! 🙂
Great idea!