My college buddy, Jess, and I are gearing up for a beach getaway. This time, we’re bringing our kids along while leaving our husbands at home, and we’ve recently tackled the logistics of the trip. What started as a fun chat about babysitters quickly transitioned to discussions over wine. Reflecting on our excitement from months ago, we both forgot to consider the little ones in tow. After all, we have a solid history of beach trips spanning nearly two decades! But now, we’re juggling five kids aged 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. So, the vibe shifted from carefree fun to a reality check. Here’s how our beach trip will look different this time around:
1. Naps
Back in college, naps on the beach were usually the result of either a late night or too many cocktails. Now, naps are a precious commodity in our parenting lives. They’re hard to come by and rarely long enough to recharge. Sure, we’d love to sit in silence with our drinks, but if we do manage to sneak in some fun with a pitcher of margaritas, we must also be responsible parents during the hours of 3 to 8 p.m. So, we agreed that our babysitter should arrive at 3.
2. Snacks
Our college beach trips always kicked off with a Publix run for the essentials: beer, chips, and frozen drink mixes. For this upcoming adventure, I’m preparing to drop around $400 at Costco on individually packaged snacks like goldfish, veggie straws, ZBARs, and Capri Suns. Those will probably vanish in a flash!
3. Entertainment
In our younger days, entertainment consisted of whatever was happening live. Whether it was music or spontaneous beach games, we had it all figured out. Now, our entertainment arsenal includes a collection of DVDs filled with cartoons, bubbles, a kite, a suitcase bursting with chalk, and 30 princess costumes. Oh, and let’s not forget the Olympic-level sunblock application we’ll be performing—expect an audience!
4. Drinks
Back in the day, we consumed copious amounts of beer and shots, occasionally getting fancy with a vodka-infused V8. Now, we opt for higher-quality wine in smaller doses—definitely beneficial for recovery! A mimosa or two will likely be on the menu, but we’ll still feel the effects the next day.
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In summary, our beach trip plans have shifted dramatically over the years. From wild nights to managing nap times and kid-friendly snacks, we’re ready to embrace this new chapter of our friendship.