I’d love to say it felt like a brilliant idea at the time, but that would be a fib.
I’ve taken vacations with my children before (well, just my one child since the baby is still fresh), and while they’ve had their moments of joy, they hardly fit the bill of what a vacation should be. Vacations are supposed to be about unwinding, recharging, indulging in a good book, and perhaps snagging a little extra sleep. Traveling with kids, however, is a completely different ballgame.
This time, I was heading out with my 5-year-old and my 3-month-old. To say I was expecting to kick back and relax would be an understatement.
So, no, it didn’t seem like a good idea—neither before, during, nor after the trip. We had our share of fun, I won’t deny that. Vacationing with kids isn’t quite the same as sitting in a cubicle worrying about deadlines, but it has its own unique challenges. Let’s start with the silver linings!
Silver Linings
Surprisingly, the flight went smoothly. The baby snoozed the entire way, didn’t invoke any ire from fellow passengers, and didn’t unleash a symphony of wails. My 5-year-old fared well too, mostly glued to movies and constantly requesting more snacks. The flight was relatively short (around four hours), and we managed to make it through unscathed. Our hotel was a dream come true—situated right on the beach with two easily accessible pools and a poolside bar, which made hauling all our gear around much simpler. The weather was lovely, the food was delicious, families were everywhere, and the locals were friendly.
The Not-So-Fun Stuff
Now, onto the not-so-fun stuff. Buckle up!
The flight was, overall, manageable—if you don’t mind the baby having a blowout at 35,000 feet, necessitating a mid-flight diaper change. My 5-year-old was glued to movies but also refused to stay seated, and those snacks? Either impossible to reach, nonexistent, or outrageously priced.
The hotel was so enticing that my 5-year-old didn’t want to leave. He spent half our vacation glued to the SpongeBob movie playing in the lobby, and I couldn’t leave him alone because, apparently, 5-year-olds need supervision at all times. The baby survived beach outings without sunburn or dehydration, thanks to our portable sunshade condo and my Herculean effort of lugging around multiple bottles of sunscreen and ridiculous hats to shield his head. I think I lost 10 pounds just hauling that stuff to the beach daily—so there’s that!
Sleep? What Sleep?
One of my main vacation goals is to sleep in. There’s no bus to catch, no boss to impress, and absolutely no reason to rise before 9 a.m. But the baby decided this wasn’t the time to sleep soundly in a new environment, while my 5-year-old had a mysterious urge to wake up at 5:30 a.m., eager to see the next part of the SpongeBob movie he already knew by heart. Extra sleep? Not in the cards.
As is customary with vacation spots, food prices were sky-high, which would’ve been acceptable if my son hadn’t turned his nose up at everything we bought him. Drinks were pricey too, but we blew our entire budget trying to drown our frustrations over taking two kids to an island. Souvenirs? Don’t even get me started—my son either lost or broke every single one. And babysitters were pricey, which would have been fine if our kids weren’t so demanding.
By the end of the week, we had shelled out a considerable amount for a brief escape from the routine and to create some memorable moments with our children. We achieved both goals, despite one child being too young to remember and the other mostly recalling every line from that SpongeBob movie.
Final Thoughts
Vacations can be fun. Children can be delightful (yes, really—just go with it). But family vacations definitely pose their own set of challenges. There are moments of joy, and despite the inconveniences, it’s (probably) worth it in the end. But, let’s face it, it’s just not the same as it used to be. Once you become a parent, nothing ever is—good or bad.
And on vacation? It’s mostly the latter.
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In summary, vacations with kids are a unique blend of fun and chaos. While they may not be the traditional relaxing getaway you once enjoyed, they create unforgettable memories and a whole new kind of adventure.