Say “yes” to the banana taxi and “no” to drinking and driving: My summer travels around the web

This summer has meant a lot of traveling for me. We made it home for Ohio this week and with real life travel complete, it’s been fun to be sharing my summer travels around the web with posts on two of my favorite websites, covering two pretty diverse topics. Because it’s summer, let’s start with the fun one.

It also is an opportunity to show that you can have fun without alcohol. We did just that on vacation when I boarded the banana taxi. Yes, you read the right. And if you want to hear the whole crazy story, check out “7 Lessons I Learned On The Banana Taxi” which is up on The Mid.

“This taxi ride lasted a lot longer than I anticipated. We got our money’s worth, but I also had more time to think about the fact that my obituary may have included the phrase ‘died in an unfortunate banana taxi accident.’ When I realized that such phrasing would be awesome, I enjoyed the ride.

I still feared for my life (and my dignity), but when I was able to relax a bit, I had a whole lot more fun.”

I really, really love The Mid and feel quite honored to have what felt like my near-death experience featured there.

This one also relates to summer, a time when there are so many parties and picnics and fun gatherings featuring lots of fun, frosty beverages, and also a lot of kids. I’m honored to be a blogger at Responsibility.org and love how they are campaigning for people to Summer Responsibly. You can find lots of good info on social media using #summerresponbily.

My post on the topic is “How I’m showing my daughter that drinking and driving don’t mix” and I’m sharing my approach that sometimes gets me weird looks and raise eyebrows: I don’t drink when I’m driving. Not even one drink.

Not only does this keep me and anyone else in my car or on the road safe, it gives me a chance to model saying “no” for my child.

On the Foundation’s Ask, Listen, Learn page there is a section titled “Help Them Say NO.” There, Paul Coleman, a psychologist, family therapist, and author of How to Say It to Your Kids says that kids shouldn’t go into lengthy or weak-sounding explanations, because that can invite debate, and that there are benefits to sticking to your guns. “If [a kid] keeps saying no, he’s not as likely to be pressured as much or as regularly,” says Coleman.

So, long story short, for a fun and fabulous summer say “yes” to the banana taxi and “no” to drinking and driving. Hope your summer is a great one!

You May Also Like: 6 simple ways to make summer learning fun

Prior Post: 10 tips for hiking at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois (or anywhere, really)

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