The term “vacation” evokes images of paradise, doesn’t it? You might picture a serene cabin in the mountains, a sun-soaked beach, or even an adventure at a theme park. All you can wish for is laughter, memorable snapshots, and a bit of relaxation… unless you’re a parent. Then, it’s not a vacation; it’s merely a trip—one that costs a fortune and often leaves you more drained than when you set out. And if you’re fortunate, you might even have the pleasure of traveling with your in-laws, listening to your mother-in-law supervise everyone and complain about your kids’ behavior.
How relaxing, right?
So, if you find yourself burning through cash, squabbling with your partner, and anxiously counting down the minutes until your children finally sleep—only in a different city—congratulations, you’re on a family “vacation!” Parenthood is such a whimsical adventure.
My sister’s already pushing for a huge family getaway next summer. Honestly, family trips are just too stressful for me. We’re saving up for a Disney trip where we can enjoy ourselves without worrying about family drama or constantly monitoring the kids near water!
Confessionals
Confessional #25842313: My sister-in-law is relentless about planning a vacation together this summer. Sorry, but I find her insufferable, and her kids are loud and unruly—NOT happening!
Confessional #25839547: Our first major family getaway is coming up. It involves my husband, our kids, my parents, my sister and her boyfriend, plus my brother. It’ll be our first and last! My mom is a control freak and it’s making everyone miserable. We plan to take our kids and do our own thing for the rest of the trip.
Confessional #25838536: I’ve enjoyed not seeing my sister-in-law and brother-in-law during the pandemic, but now they’re itching to get together and vacation together—NO THANKS! I’d rather endure a root canal than spend a week with them.
Planning a family trip is exhausting enough without adding extended family into the mix. It’s a recipe for regret!
Confessional #25839080: We’re planning a big family vacation. I’m praying my teenage stepdaughter doesn’t come along; she’d turn it into a disaster and spend the whole time on FaceTime with her mother.
Confessional #25838926: On our “family vacation,” I’m sipping wine alone because my stepdaughter will throw a fit if her dad spends time with me instead of her. It’s tough on him, but I’m tired of putting up with her behavior just because she’s a kid.
Confessional #25841861: Our first vaccinated vacation reminded me that traveling with kids (ages 3 and 12) is not relaxing at all. From now on, I just want to travel with my husband.
Confessional #25838793: Parents deserve a second (child-free) vacation the moment they return from a trip with their children.
The stark truth is that if you genuinely need to unwind, someone else needs to take your kids for a bit. Sure, you might create fun memories and snap countless cute photos, but you’ll find zero time to rest.
We still go on these trips because we cherish the joy on our kids’ faces when they meet their favorite characters or splash around at the beach. Even if it means enduring a trip to the Grand Canyon with our less-than-favorite family members, we’ll save our relaxation for when the kids are adults and Grandma can’t tag along. Until then, don’t forget to pack those stress-relief essentials.
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Summary
Family vacations often turn out to be far from relaxing, filled with stress, obligations, and the chaos of children and extended family. While the idea of a vacation invokes dreams of tranquility, the reality for parents is usually a whirlwind of activity that leaves them more exhausted than before. Whether it’s managing children’s behavior or navigating family dynamics, what’s intended to be a break often ends up as just another stressful trip. It’s essential to find joy in the moments with your kids, even if it means enduring some less-than-ideal situations.
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