I used to think that vacation=relaxation. Isn’t that the myth that has been perpetuated in the popular culture? Vacations are supposed to be about kicking back and relaxing and letting go of all of the daily strife and worry. But, for any parent who has ever taken a passel of kids along on the summer or holiday outing–vacation does NOT equal relaxation.
I really don’t mean to sound like such a sour puss. If you ask my three teens, they will all have all sorts of fond memories and tales to tell of vacations past. In fact, all of our little trips (we have NOT taken the trans-Atlantic cruise or the international holiday) are remembered with great zest and zeal by my kids. Their memories are NOT my memories–even if we do have a little overlap and we were in the same place at the same time…sort-of.
The thing with parenting on vacation is that you still have to be the parent–make sure everyone stays healthy and safe and tend to the personal and developmental “issues” of your child or children–but you are out of your natural element. You’re taking your parenting show on the road and that means unfamiliar dangers, getting out of your comfort zone, and parenting under duress and surprise. This is where some of us parents shine, and others find dark, shadowy, bumbling sides to our parenting selves that we never knew existed.
The first few cross-country trips I took with young children–I confess it hear and now–we never ate anywhere but McDonalds–three consecutive days (each way) of chicken nuggets and egg sandwiches. No vegetables, no fruit (unless you count apple juice)–just “Where can I take three road-weary preschoolers who are wearing mismatched clothes, and who need to eat, use a bathroom (again) and be able to run around and get as loud as they want?” McDonalds with a play land, that’s where.
I was half-way through a summer vacation when my children were all elementary-school age before it hit me that we hadn’t eaten at a single McDonalds in 4 days. What a glorious milestone of family vacation lore that was!
See Also: On the Road Again, Parenting on Vacation–Part One
On the Road Again, Parenting on Vacation–Part Two