The author said family trips improved once she could give her kids some independence.
Courtesy of Sandra Lee.
It was one of those days that only parents of younger kids can truly relate to. We were on our annual family beach vacation in Mexico, where the beaches are beautiful, meals are included, and the goal is to relax. No one really knew what set the kids off (do we ever?), but I remember saying to myself, "This was supposed to be a vacation."If I'm being honest, I didn't really enjoy family vacations as much when my kids were younger. I was so focused on packing and planning for them that I didn't really stop to think about what the vacation meant for all of us. I had an idea of what trips would be like: connecting with each other, having new experiences, and making those core memories that get stored in an orb like in the movie "Inside Out."Unfortunately, trips became more about what to pack, what we forgot, how to make it until the next nap, and planning evenings so kids can go to bed at a reasonable hour. It was a lot — until one day, things finally changed.Travel was so much workThe logistical stress of packing, schedules, snacks, and gear is enough to deter a parent from going on vacation in the first place. Then there is the emotional burden of constantly having to watch your kids to keep them safe.
