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Family vacations - Memory-making is tiring
Filed under: Activities: Babies
Last summer was our first attempt at a real family vacation (at the time, our girls were four and two). We spent our days exploring remote beaches, floating on rafts, and catching rays... heavenly. Our nights were spent at our campsite, which after four or five nights, started to feel like that place that's the opposite of Heaven. When my husband asked me if I wanted to go back there again this year, I said that I absolutely did, on one condition: Wherever we stayed had to have a kitchen, beds, and running water.
"The kids will be bummed," he said. And I knew he was right. But seven days, at this point in their childhood when they still require so much physical care, is just too long for me to sleep on the ground and cook three meals a day over a fire pit.
Over at Newsweek, Kathy Deveny talks about the difference between family vacations when you're a kid with few responsibilities, and when you're an adult who's in charge of everything. When I was a kid, my parents owned a motor home that we took off in every weekend in the summer months, exploring every corner of our state. I remember riding my bike everywhere, bug bites, s'mores. What I don't remember is my mom spending half her time packing, preparing meals, and washing dishes, though I know she must have. Vacationing is hard work.
We compromised this summer by taking two short camping trips to thrill the kids, and we rented a tiny little house (with running water!) near the beach for our longer stay. Now Mom and Dad will get the rest they deserve after a long day of hunting for rocks and climbing dunes, but we'll still build memories as a family. Like Kathy Deveny says, "If you want your kids to have memories, you have to take them on vacation." You just have to redefine the idea that vacation is about getting away from it all. In fact, sometimes, it kind of feels like you're bringing it all with you.
Which reminds me, I need to start a list....
For more on summer vacationing with children, visit FamilyCorner.com.
"The kids will be bummed," he said. And I knew he was right. But seven days, at this point in their childhood when they still require so much physical care, is just too long for me to sleep on the ground and cook three meals a day over a fire pit.
Over at Newsweek, Kathy Deveny talks about the difference between family vacations when you're a kid with few responsibilities, and when you're an adult who's in charge of everything. When I was a kid, my parents owned a motor home that we took off in every weekend in the summer months, exploring every corner of our state. I remember riding my bike everywhere, bug bites, s'mores. What I don't remember is my mom spending half her time packing, preparing meals, and washing dishes, though I know she must have. Vacationing is hard work.
We compromised this summer by taking two short camping trips to thrill the kids, and we rented a tiny little house (with running water!) near the beach for our longer stay. Now Mom and Dad will get the rest they deserve after a long day of hunting for rocks and climbing dunes, but we'll still build memories as a family. Like Kathy Deveny says, "If you want your kids to have memories, you have to take them on vacation." You just have to redefine the idea that vacation is about getting away from it all. In fact, sometimes, it kind of feels like you're bringing it all with you.
Which reminds me, I need to start a list....
For more on summer vacationing with children, visit FamilyCorner.com.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
7-31-2008 @ 2:31PM
Mama2Kids said...Amen. We are getting ready to drive halfway across the country with a 4 year old and 1 year old. I am already exhausted from all of the preparation and we are not leaving for 3 more days. The packing and planning are a lot of work. I am sure it will be a lot of fun once we get there, but I just hope I am not to tired to enjoy it!
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7-31-2008 @ 3:07PM
Jamie said...Bethany: Great post! I put camping in the same category as pet ownership. We don't do it for ourselves, we pay it forward.
Trust me, someday our kids will be out in the woods with their kids scratching their heads and thinking, "Hey, this isn't as fun as I remember."
By the way, my web site has lots of places with kitchens, beds, and running water. Please check it out!
jamie
http://www.travelsavvymom.com
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7-31-2008 @ 3:20PM
Judy said...As much as I'd like to take a big family vacation, I don't think it's yet worth it with boys who are 2 and 4. Instead, we take more frequent short vacations - weekends out to the beach (about an hour and a half away) or up to the Austin area (still 6 hours, but still manageable).
On our big family vacations as a kid, my parents would set up the back of the station wagon for me. They'd make me a bed, and put all my toys and games back there. Thinking back, I realize how dangerous that was, but it sure was fun!
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