Finally, this summer I’ve booked a trip for our family of six. We haven’t had a full week away, just our immediate family in…well, ever!
Before now, we have been incredibly lucky to have grandparents that take us on their trips or come with us on ours. These “multi-generational family vacations” helped to subsidize some pretty incredible vacations that we never could have swung on our own – including Disney World and Alaska. Even on trips we paid for, they were an extra set of hands for our four little ones. They watched babies while we took older ones on adventures, were an extra set of eyes at the beach and pool, and even let my husband and I sneak away for a happy hour drink once in a while. When aunts and uncles and cousins came too, it was a built-in traveling playgroup and our kids loved it.
While all these family vacations were amazing, my husband and I felt it was time to prioritize a family vacation alone.
With two sides of the family wanting to go away, and only limited vacation time and money, we were left every year without a vacation of our own. In addition, we found that the perks of an extended family vacation were sometimes offset by some of the challenges of traveling with a larger group – such as juggling multiple schedules and personalities. Most importantly, I felt like we were missing out on some of the quality time with our kids when they were distracted playing with other people.
It’s funny, because when I was growing up, we never went on vacation with extended family. It was always just our core. Those memories are treasures to me because of all the time I got to spend with my dad when he was relaxed and having fun. He really changed on vacation – he loved planning for it, shopping for it, and most of all being goofy with us on our trip. I want to experience some of the same with my own children.
I’m hardly complaining about the vacations we’ve had, but there is definitely something different about taking your kids and going somewhere new for a whole week.
We already know and expect that “vacations” are hardly relaxing anymore…that’s not why we go. We go to experience something new and fun with our family. We’ll be able to bond with them in a way that isn’t possible when they’re playing with cousins, aunts, uncles, or grandparents. We’ll share experiences that are only ours, and enjoy a full uninterrupted week away together. I couldn’t be more excited.
