Most of you know I take my grandchildren on One on One sojourns. I know I write about these sojourns often because I want all of you to experience one too! All my grandchildren have had at least one except Theo who is 1 ½. His time will come. These sojourns are easy and do not need to be expensive. Sophia, 3 ½ just had her first this month with a train ride to Portland, Maine, first class of course, a fine dinning experience, an overnight at a grand hotel, the Regency, a harbor cruise and a train ride home again. Trains are such a success for little ones. Getting to and from the train at North Station were two subway rides. Plus the escalators that were fun too!
The grandchildren remember these trips, I am sure, but they are mostly for me! I get to share myself with them. Many of you live very close to your grandchildren and see them often, as I do with Sophia and Theo so you may not think of an One on One. But the One on One is so different than the group or informal visits. First, they are at least 24 hours away from home with just you. Then mine are a bit grander than the usual daily activities. Nice white linen table dining is almost always a prerequisite. The grandchildren need to learn how to sit and eat at nice restaurants. Table manners are important. And it is amazing how well they do behave and learn. (No stacking! Those of you that know me know I hate stacked dirty plates!) And I get to have a lovely dinner!
These sojourns are important for both of us. We each need to enjoy the experience so designing and including the grandchild in the planning is important. I enlist them into to the experience so they will be excited to participate. For my 10 year old grandson, Dillon, I gave him a choice in the destination this year. We are going to Vancouver. I have never been and he will need a passport! Fun!
Where would you like to take a grandchild or niece or nephew? Portland, Maine is an example where one does not need to go far or long for a great experience. Next writing I will talk a bit about Portland, it is a great small city, of which there are many. For each adventure, I include physical activity, culture, and holding hands. Sometimes there may be something the child may not normally choose to do, but we try it! One of the things they learn from me is:
“Life is an adventure and it begins at the end of our comfort zone.”
AlwaysHarriet 