Is It Truly a Vacation When the Kids Are Along for the Ride?

I wish I could say it was a brilliant idea at the time, but that would be a fib.

I’ve taken trips with my little ones before (well, just my eldest; the new baby is still figuring things out). While those trips were fun, they didn’t exactly fit the mold of what you’d typically consider a vacation. Vacations are supposed to be about unwinding, recharging your batteries, indulging in a good book, and maybe catching a few extra Z’s. Traveling with kids, however, is a whole different ball game.

This time, I had my 5-year-old and my 3-month-old in tow. So, let’s just say relaxation wasn’t on the itinerary.

Looking back, it wasn’t the best thought-out plan—not then, not afterward, and definitely not during the chaos. We did have some good moments, I can’t deny that. Family vacations aren’t exactly the same as lounging in an office worrying about deadlines, but it sure isn’t a stroll in the park either. So let’s dive into the highlights!

Surprisingly Smooth Sailing

Surprisingly, the flight wasn’t as dreadful as I expected. The baby slept like a log, avoiding any meltdowns that might have drawn the ire of fellow passengers. My 5-year-old kept himself entertained with movies and a steady supply of snacks. The flight was relatively short (around four hours), and we made it through without too many mishaps. Our hotel was a dream come true. Situated right on the beach with two easily accessible pools—and a poolside bar—made hauling all our gear a lot less of a hassle. The weather was fantastic, the food delicious, and the atmosphere was full of friendly families.

The Not-So-Great Parts

Now, for the not-so-great parts. If you’ve got a few minutes, let’s get into it…

The flight went smoothly, at least until the baby decided to create a mess that required a change at 35,000 feet. My 5-year-old was glued to his screen but also insisted on getting up from his seat, and those snacks he kept asking for were either buried somewhere in the bag, unavailable, or shockingly overpriced.

The hotel was so great that my 5-year-old didn’t want to leave. He spent half our trip glued to the SpongeBob movie playing in the lobby. I had to stick around with him because apparently, 5-year-olds can’t be left unsupervised. The baby was fine at the beach, managing to avoid dehydration and sunburn, thanks to the mini condo we brought along to keep him shaded. I essentially transformed into a pack mule, hauling around what felt like 14 bags of sunscreen and ridiculous sun hats to protect his little head. At least I got a workout lugging all that stuff back and forth to the beach!

Sleep? What Sleep?

One of my primary vacation goals is to sleep in. No school drop-offs, no work obligations, no need to rise before 9. But with the baby’s sleep schedule thrown off by our new surroundings and my 5-year-old inexplicably waking up at 5:30 every morning to see what happened next in that SpongeBob movie he had already watched a dozen times, extra shut-eye was not in the cards.

As is typical for vacation spots, the food was pricey, which wouldn’t matter if my son didn’t turn his nose up at everything we ordered. Drinks were also expensive, but we blew our entire budget drowning our sorrows over our decision to take two kids to an island. Souvenirs? Those were costly too, especially since my son managed to lose or break each one we bought him. And hiring babysitters? Just as hit-or-miss, especially with the amount of mischief our kids could manage.

By the end of the week, we had spent a small fortune to escape the daily grind and create some fun memories with our kids. We succeeded in both objectives, despite the fact that one child is too young to remember a thing and the other will mostly recall every line from that SpongeBob movie.

Final Thoughts

Vacations can be a blast, and parenting is rewarding (I know, I know—just humor me). But trips with kids are undeniably a challenge. They have their moments of joy, and despite the hurdles, it’s probably worth it in the end. But let’s be real: it’s not the same as it used to be. Once you become a parent, nothing ever is—good or bad.

When on vacation, it’s often a bit more of a struggle.

For more insights on parenting and family travel, check out this related post, which dives deeper into the ups and downs of vacationing with kids. Also, if you’re looking for more resources on pregnancy and home insemination, don’t miss this excellent guide.

Summary

Taking a vacation with kids is a unique adventure filled with both challenges and joyful moments. While it’s not the same as a solo getaway, navigating family trips can still lead to memorable experiences, even if they come with a few bumps along the way.