This week’s guest blog is by Mindy:
After I had my first baby my neighbor told me that I can no longer call it “going on vacation” if kids are involved, and that she refers to it as traveling or taking a trip. It took me a couple years and many attempts at vacationing with kids to fully grasp what she meant.
A vacation implies a break, and traveling with young kids, especially more than one, is anything but that. In fact, in nearly every way it is more difficult, more work, and more exhausting than staying home . Labeling the trip as a vacation is really just setting yourself up for disappointment as it seems even more painful to be up in the middle of the night with a crying baby or time-zone-wacked toddler when you’re paying $200 a night for the “experience” in lodging alone.
Here are some things that have helped add a little vacation to our trips:
Travel with extended family
Of course, this only works if you have family you like enough to be around AND they are good with your kids. But if you really think about it, you probably have at least someone who qualifies. Maybe a niece who likes kids and would love a free place to stay by the beach?
BK (before kids) I never would have considered bringing my mother along for a beach vacation with my husband as it would completely cramp the intimacy and probably drive me crazy, but now she’s the only hope we have of intimacy and I’m making it an annual thing!
If you’re inviting relatives, it’s best to be clear about everyone’s expectations up front (before booking the trip) including the financial side. If you are want help with the kids you need to make a clear request, such as “My husband and I can really use some alone time to reconnect, would you be willing to you watch the kids for two afternoons and one evening while we go out?”
Other Help
If you really can’t fathom the idea of vacationing with ANYONE you have a blood relationship with, seriously consider forking out the money to take along a babysitter or nanny. Some people will be happy to come along and provide a certain number of childcare hours as a trade if you are paying for part or all of their trip, especially if they can bring a friend or significant other. For us, it means we take far less vacations because they are more expensive when we’re paying for additional people, but since it’s so much more of a vacation WITH the help it’s worth it.
The holy grail of help is traveling where there are other kids for your kids to play with, so if there is any way to orchestrate this by traveling with another family (and perhaps bringing and splitting the cost of a nanny) go for it! Continue reading “Guest Blog: “Vacationing” family style”