Independence Day here in the Northland of Minnesota is as American of an affair as it in any other state I’ve been able to celebrate it in. It’s a fun day of cookouts, parades, and an array of social gatherings to ring in 243 years since the Declaration of Independence. One celebration is nearly universal and will undoubtedly instill awe and wonder in children everywhere and bloodshot, tired eyes in Minnesota parents tonight: fireworks. So how do you balance Fourth of July fireworks and crowds with bedtime and pajamas? Let me tell you what my wife and I did last year.
I love fireworks and July 4th is the only day to take the kids to see our city’s display. In years past, we could see the fireworks show from our apartment window, which meant we could show the kids all the lights without navigating crowds downtown. As added bonuses, it was slightly quieter and, best of all, the kids were already in pajamas, ready for bed. They could go from watching the sky light up in colorful explosions to being tucked into their beds in seconds.
That convenience made our local fireworks show an attractive celebration for our family. But, we bought a house on the other side of town and can no longer see the fireworks from home. That means that if want to see fireworks anywhere, we have to go to them. OK, that’s not so bad. It’s fun for the kids to pick their spot in the park, throw or kick a football, and play with friends as they wait.
Thanks to the latitude of my beloved city, sunrise during our summer solstice this year was at 5:14am, which I lamented about a few days ago. I know we don’t have anything on you, reader from Nome, Alaska, but work with me here. Sunset is at 9:05pm today, which means fireworks won’t begin until around 10:00pm. If you live anywhere around this latitude, you’ll know that even at that hour, the last vestiges of sunlight are still seen in the twilight. But as a dad who has done the Universal Bedtime Routine for the last five (almost six) years, this makes bedtime a bit tough.
So last year, my wife and I compromised and made it simple. The kids got to watch some fireworks while we stayed at home, allowing the kids go to bed at a reasonable hour. My wife picked up some sparklers and we lit them in our backyard. The kids hot cocoa with whipped cream while she kept them at a safe distance. Of course, we wouldn’t let any of the children actually hold the sparklers, so I stuck them in the ground while they watched them light up. The best part of all? Each one of my children had fun. No crowds, no loud explosions, no delayed bedtime, no cranky kids. They loved it! That time, the simple approach to quality time together worked best.
As a dad, I hope moments like these stick with my children. I can’t buy them all the things they want, but I can make memories with them. Even if they forget the details of that day or even forget the entire day, I hope they’ll know that even the simple (or cheesy) attempts at making memories were done to remind that they are loved.
What are some ways you’ve spent the Fourth of July with your family? Share your memory in the comments!
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