Should you Bring the Kids When Traveling?

I just returned from an amazing Alaska and Vancouver experience and can't wait to upload my photos to our Facebook photo albums to share. If you haven't done this trip yet, call me so we can get you there next season. It was incredible!!

Since we cruised after the kids are back in school, it was more of an adult experience which started a group discussion about traveling with kids; and is an easy leeway to our topic...

The decision of whether or not to bring your children on your next vacation can be a difficult one. How can you decide if it should be an adult only trip, or a family getaway?  Although the decision will ultimately be a personal one that is up to you, here are a few things you may want to consider when planning your next trip:

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1. Is the getaway celebrating a romantic occasion? It somewhat goes without saying that if you're going away for a honeymoon, a special anniversary, or a milestone birthday, that romance may be more important than making memories as a family. And, let's face it, it's rather difficult to be romantic with kids in tow.
   
   
2. Is the destination family-friendly?  For example, some resorts do not allow children on property. Others may not have anything available for kids to do... and we all know a bored child makes for a stressful experience and not the vacation you probably envisioned!
   
   There are also several cruise ships that do not allow children under the age of three (and most don't have children programs for under three, so you won't get a break of your own unless you hire a babysitter, which then adds to your trip cost. Some River Cruises don't allow children at all or just don't offer any kid-friendly options onboard so they can keep the vibe and experience more exclusive for adults).
   
   
3. What are the plans for activities while on the trip?  If you hope to have several nights out at the nightclubs or casinos of the destination that you have in mind, bringing children along might not be the best of ideas. The same may hold true if you'll be doing a lot of hiking or adventure activities that may be harder for young children to do with you.
   
   
4. What will the financial ramifications of bringing your children along be? Each child you bring with you could add significantly to transportation, meals and attraction costs. For some parents this can make a family vacation simply too expensive. Especially when flights are involved - airfare can add up quickly.
   
   
5. How old are your children? Teenagers can typically take care of themselves, and enjoy attractions that younger children might not be able to.
   
   
6. Can your kids handle time away from you? If you have never gone away without your kids, it might be harder to take a vacation without them. You could try a weekend away as a test before a full week long getaway.
   
   
7. Can you handle time away from them? This might sound silly, but some parents have just as much attachment anxiety as children do. Again, a test weekend away may be a good idea here too.
   
   

In the event you decide to make your vacation a family affair, keep the following in mind:

• you'll want to arrive everywhere earlier than you need to
• make sure there's snacks and activities for the children
• remember that everything takes longer than you think it will when bringing children along
• travel can interfere with nap time, dinner time and bedtime, so plan accordingly
• travel can give children memories that will last a lifetime, help them grow as individuals and teach them things they simply won’t learn in school.
  
  

Whether you want to make your next escape a family vacation, or a romantic getaway we’d love to help you create the trip of your dreams! Call us today at (913) 244-9195