Do you remember planning your very first family vacations? Back then, we were all about those tight abs, filled with youthful optimism, and blissfully unaware of the chaos that awaited us. We thought renting a beach umbrella at a resort was a stroke of genius and that our little ones would thrive in the blissful joy of the splash pad. We were naive, blissfully so, believing that these trips would create memories that would bond us together forever. The snapshots of our kids in oversized sunglasses seemed like the perfect evidence of our vacation success.
But now, with a decade of family trips under our belt, we’ve grown a bit wiser—and perhaps a little more cynical. We’ve traded our swim trunks for skirted tankinis, and if there’s one lesson we’ve learned, it’s this: vacations are crafted from the mishaps just as much as the successes. And applying sunscreen to a child? It’s a feat that rivals finishing a marathon, achieving a master’s degree, or even the miracle of childbirth—perhaps even all at once.
Oh, we’re exaggerating again, aren’t we? Family vacations are still the highlight of the year! Except for the packing. But aside from the packing and the endless quest for road-trip snacks, it’s all wonderful, right? Yes, aside from the packing, the snacks, and navigating major airports with strollers and their young passengers, it’s all fabulous. Just those minor details like stowing the strollers through security, purchasing snack bags, arranging for the kennel, and finding a neighbor to water the plants and feed the fish. A few bullet points on our checklist, and we’re set! Just those six tiny tasks and securing a rental. That’s all. Sure, we might spend weeks researching an affordable rental close to the beach or theme park, and let’s not forget the shopping and laundry. You know what? Forget the houseplants and the fish; they can manage on their own.
In theory, the payoff is worth it. We envision relaxing days on the beach, but let’s be honest—reading on the beach with kids between 2 and 12 is a fantasy. Perhaps by the time they are teenagers, we’ll finally have the chance to finish that book we picked up ages ago.
Reality hits as we scramble to finish laundry at the crack of dawn on departure day to some sunny destination. Google Maps is set, and the snack bag is conspicuously on the kitchen table, which swiftly alters our plans for a sunset dolphin cruise into rest-stop french fries. Another win for salty snacks!
When we reflect on years of family trips, the most vivid memories often revolve around funnel cakes and surviving hurricanes in rental homes. The joyful moments are overshadowed by jellyfish stings, rainy days, and the four-hour wait for AAA to rescue us from a broken-down car.
Our highlight reel includes unforgettable experiences: a baby’s unexpected vomit during a historic house tour, a detour to pee in the woods resulting in poison ivy, and the time everyone got sunburned on the tops of their feet, making shoes an impossible endeavor for two days. These mishaps are the true essence of family bonding.
Yet, there’s a silver lining, even if it’s built on a foundation of delusion. We return from every vacation with dozens of smiling pictures of the kids. Plenty of cheerful snapshots of them, but hardly any of us. If we do appear in a photo, it’s usually thanks to a kind stranger posing us at a green screen in front of a landmark, where we look less than thrilled. Vacation law states that these moments often come right after a heated parking lot argument with our spouse. “Kids, look! A photo op at the aquarium! Smile and pretend Daddy didn’t make us park a mile away in this sweltering heat to ‘avoid traffic’!”
Mix in a few perfect beach days, and remembering to pack antacids, and there are, miraculously, enough redeeming moments to warrant another trip about a year later. Much like the phenomenon of baby amnesia, we tend to remember our vacations as being simpler, cheaper, and filled with more relaxation than they truly are.
Family vacations aren’t about the destination or the effort it takes to get there (which usually involves our entire budget and a bit of anxiety). They’re about creating joy for the kids and finding activities to keep us occupied until school resumes. They encapsulate the thrill of spotting a sand crab at dusk, swiftly followed by 72 hours of the kids refusing to venture into the water out of fear of… crabs. All of it is worthwhile when we factor in the laughter, tears, ice cream, and unforgettable sights like the Grand Canyon. However, if we truly wanted a peaceful summer, we’d just send the kids to sleepaway camp.
In conclusion, family vacations can be a mix of chaos and joy, with memories made from both the good and the bad. So as we gear up for our next adventure, let’s embrace the madness, knowing it’s all part of the journey.