A Dad's Survival Guide for Women's Retreat

It is 48 hours and counting until you are on your own and outnumbered (in many cases) by them…your children. What are you going to do? How will you survive? There are some dads who are ecstatic, thrilled and cannot wait for this weekend. Then there are other dads who have been panicking for weeks and wondering “what am I going to do!” Here are a few ideas for activities to do with your children. 
Friday night:
Have your kids pray for mom to have a safe trip out to the retreat.

• Pizza & a movie.
• Play a favorite board game.
• Go for a walk with the kids.
• Have your kids act out a Bible story as you read it. (David & Goliath, Jonah & the whale, Jesus feeding the 5,000, The parable of the Good Samaritan, etc…)

Bedtime:

Pray for mom to get to know other women at the retreat.

• Read a book or favorite Bible story together.
• Ask your children what was their favorite thing about their day.
• Pray together.

Saturday morning:

Pray for mom to be encouraged as she learns from the speaker, Judy Hampton.

• Big Breakfast or Brunch (Leftover pizza is not an option!)
• Pancakes (lots of sugar, I mean syrup) Your children will give you bonus points if you make them into fun shapes. A circle is not a fun shape!
• Omelets
• If you are too outnumbered, then cereal definitely works
• Benefit Activity: Clean-up- Oh, you can make this fun in so many ways. Have your children help dry dishes, maybe this is the time to teach your child to wash dishes (Not recommended for younger children.)
• Go to the park
• Yard work together

Saturday afternoon:
Pray that mom would enjoy some rest this afternoon and get to know other women.

• Take a picnic to the park
• Go for a hike in the woods
• Play in the sprinkler

Saturday evening:
Pray for mom to get home safely tomorrow from the retreat.

• Clean the house for mom.
• Do “Mom Appreciation” activities
• Draw a picture or write a note for mom telling her how much you love her and appreciate all that she does (This is a GREAT idea for dads to participate in too.)
• Take Sidewalk chalk and draw pictures or write a message for mom for when she gets home.
• Play a board game together

Sunday:

• GO TO CHURCH!
• Pick up the house if you have not done so already.

Take this time while mom is gone to enjoy time together. Most importantly, pray for your wife as she is gone to be encouraged, challenged, refreshed and develop some great relationships. Pray for her often while she is gone. Have a great retreat moms!