Family Vacation 2.0

A lesson I learned quite early as a parent is a vacation is a much different experience once you have little one(s) in tow.

We just returned from a sort-of relaxing vacation. By "sort-of", I mean we had a great time, the three of us. But in planning our vacation we made one big mistake... we didn't bring any of the extended family.

So it was me with all eyes on my son at the pool, at the beach, at the playground. And when it wasn't me, it was my husband who was the watchful eye. There was never a time when we both could lay back in the lounge chairs at the pool, taking in the sun and the heat of the day.

One of us was always "on duty".

At dinnertime, only one of us had drinks. And we couldn't go to the very-quiet-exclusive-romantic restaurants. Those practically had a KEEP OUT sign on the door for kids. We just gazed at the extensive wine list and menu at the door and kept on walking.  In the evening, the outside bars had live music we could only listen to from a distance.

About 72 hours into our relaxing beach vacation we turned to each other and said, "Why didn't we BEG someone to travel with us?"

We know what's it's like on the flip side. Last year, we vacationed, twice, with my parents on one trip, and my husband's parents on the other.

It was bliss. Because we had a backup. We got a quiet dinner alone. Even (gasp!) time alone during the day for a few hours to do something together.

The funny thing? When we were brand new parents we balked at the idea of traveling with family. But to our surprise we stumbled on something entirely cool. We had so much FUN traveling with family. It was a chance to break out of the ordinary and escape the daily grind of life... and really come together with one purpose... to have a great time.

There's nothing like looking at the adoring eyes of grandparents, watching their grandchild swim for the first time... or have the courage to do something new... or just look darn cute and happy knowing they are having such a good vacation.  Together.

Will we continue to do just our one on one romantic getaways? Sure. But we don't intend to plan vacations just to be by ourselves. We just have a better time with the family. The more the merrier.

So when my in-laws called us while we were on vacation last week, we mentioned the phrase "wish you were here..."

We really meant it.

Original post by Shelli to New Jersey Moms Blog..... when Shelli isn't on vacation, she's blogging at www.bagmomma.net