Day two of getting us ready for summer. I woke up and for a second I thought - oh my gosh when did fall get here? Never fear the 80s are making a comeback - and I don't mean mullets, white blazers, and penny loafers - oh my GOD! Maybe that decade is coming back after some of the things I witnessed at the mall last week.
Ok lets move on from that! LITERALLY!
Today we're going to talk vacation. Technically, it is suggested you have your vacation plan done by January - I know, right? Who are these freak shows that think we should plan that far ahead? They obviously have never had a vacation of rain, storms, and abnormally cold summer temps!
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| Beach trip 2012 with the baby bump |
There is nothing wrong with planning a couple weeks to a month out. It is ok! You will get a good place! You will have a nice vacation!
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It seems we're all more money conscious now days. Some people won't go on a vacation because they are holding tight to their Lincolns. (That is for pennies or fives not a part of Ford Motor Company)
Here's some research that shows that vacations are indeed GOOD for you and you should NOT put them off....:
Less Stress, More Energy, Longer Life
Psychological Impact!
After you read those two short reports you may say - "Brownie I have seventeen kids, vacation is stressful"
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| Beach Trip 2010 |
Number two - if you do it right it won't be a stressful event.
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Vacation isn't about being ran ragged. I know no one ever told you that after you popped a few kids out of your belly. If your vacations include anything but relaxing then you may need to adjust your destination.
A lot of people around these parts spend a week or so in the summer in Myrtle Beach, SC. It has traditionally been a go to southern summer vacation spot for decades, eons, eras. It started with some shag dancing and evolved to air brush stations and then to henna tattoo land and eventually a big dump. It is slowly trying to evolve into something a bit better than it has been. No matter how you view Myrtle Beach - it is a money pit. Now, don't get me wrong, I like some Myrtle --- in the off season! I love some ocean and some outlet malls all on the same strip of highway! But for all intents and purposes of this blog I'm going to try really hard to help you make a vacation plan that doesn't wear you out.
Vacation is about relaxing. When I think of coastal plain relaxation I think about two things: sand and sea. My tail end is planted in the sand and when I get too hot from the balmy summer sun my tail takes on more of a dolphin tail feel. Vacation at the beach for my family consists of sleeping in, having breakfast, and then lounging and enjoying the sand toys (castle building, sea monster scaping, collecting shells in buckets, etc) and enjoying the exfoliation of sea water on my skin. A cold beer and a good book for when the kids pass out. A nice walk (not a drive) to a good hole in the wall restaurant in the evening. Finally, sitting on the deck while the kids crash and listening to the waves and having a good conversation.I never mentioned driving.
I never mentioned packing up.
I never mentioned loading the car or unloading the car.
I never mentioned finding a diaper changing station.
I never mentioned spending loads of cash.
Today's world of vacationing is totally what vacation is not supposed to mean. Think about it! You go where there is lots and lots to do. That means you're in a car driving around, stopping, unloading, trying to get your bearings, spending money you didn't plan to spend, and going home with even less space than you thought thanks to thinking you actually needed to go to that tourist trap and buy all the kids those over priced dollar store mementos that will go to Goodwill in a month.
Ouch reality slaps hard!
Here's the worse part: we're teaching our kids the wrong definition of vacation. Vacation is not an extension of home. It is a time to chill out and relax and just be. Ohmmmmmmmmm....
We beach vacation on the NC coast for several reasons including:
1. It isn't too terribly commercialized yet. That translates to the kids aren't whining to go to the places that decorate every corner of the town because there are just a handful of those eye grabbers. If you drive quickly and divert attention you've past them before the kids look up from their sunburn.
2. The beach is still the central theme. No Tanger outlet, mall, but yes there are those Wings/Waves/Surf/etc stores.3. You can walk where you want to go. I hate driving and if I can walk or bike I will gladly do it.
4. The little bars are great. It is that whole Cheers feeling.
5. The crowd is controlled. Yes, like the bigger places, the NC coast offers a great sociology research project but it isn't over-populated and most everyone is super nice (even the people who come from New York and Mass....guess that sweet tea adds a little nice to their step, wink wink).
When we get home from vacation we aren't worn out - and if we are well it is the drives fault not the kids or the thousand activities we just had to do while on vacation.
So if you're dreading your vacation because you'll be worn out you need to investigate if your vacation to do list is to blame. Do yourself a favor and check out a new place this year - you may save some money and a lot of sanity.
Here are some ideas for a laid back vacation destination:
Laid Back Vacation Spots in our area:
NC Coast
GA Coast
Florida Panhandle
Great Smokey Mountains National Park - also a great spot if your not a beach person. Dollywood and Gatlinburg make a nice relaxed retreat as well. (My husband refers to it as Myrtle Beach Mountain Style)
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If you have kids then you may want to consider vacationing with another family. This can be a toughy. You have to really take into account these factors:
1. Is there a family you are friends with that has children around your kids' ages?
2. Can you see yourself being on vacation at the same time in the same area with them?
3. Do you like these people enough to be in the same place at the same time with them?
4. No, seriously, do you like like these people enough to be with them for more than four hours?
Co-vacationing is a great idea. Here's Brownie's tips on vacationing with another family.
1. Rent a big, huge, massive castle. Seriously - if you aren't going to stay in separate rooms or condos then you need to invest in splitting the cost of one of those extra large vacation homes. You know the kind I am talking about. They are like five houses in one. Ok, ok, the ones that have two floors and each floor is it's own mini home will do. That way you can have your separate family time and your together friend/family time. Space is needed - always.
2. Do some things together and some things apart. Going out on the beach? Going to the theme park? All of you should go together - the kids will entertain each other and moms and dads will be super happy not having to be the director, writer, producer, and leading actor of a fun time. Time to veg out in the evenings? Do it as a family. When the kids are asleep the parents can creep outside and have margaritas.
3. Don't let one mom or dad become the babysitter. Always keep it equal - your kids are your kids - her kids are her kids.
4. Always bring along the teenager to be the babysitter. JUST KIDDING!
Of course if this is what you decide to do you need to plan the vacation together. You all need to be on the same page as far as accommodations and location goes.
Here's a good blog post I found about vacationing with other families!
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If you have small kids its a great idea to vacation with another family who has small children as well. (This would be my dream come true for my little girl to have another little girl to play with). But if you don't have another family that would be interested then think about getting some extra family to go along with you. Of course the good family members not the ones you contemplate drowning in the ocean or throwing off the over look.Just trying to keep you on this side of the bars babe.
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How long should you go away for? I guess seven days is the traditional norm. For us it is normally 4-5 days. Have you ever hit that day on vacation where you are suddenly having this thought: I wonder what is going on at home? It is ok you can secretly admit it. The day that thought hits you is probably a good scale of how long you really need to vacation. If you never have that thought because you spend your vacation with your nose in your smart phone then just stay home.
Your stay will also depend on your accommodations. Houses generally rent out on a seven day basis. Condos can go for shorter periods. Hotels/Motels well you know how those money pits work.
Just think about last year's trip. Were you worn out by day seven? Were you ready to head back five days in? Did you never want to return? Some people love to take multiple long weekends and never do the one week or two week getaway. Find what really works best for your family.
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Finally - this is my pet peeve - vacations should not be about cleaning and cooking. Keep your domestic conditioning to a minimum. Yes be clean and yes make easy snacks but for the love of God the Dollar Menu can be your friend and there isn't a thing wrong with a peanut butter and jelly.
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So get to planning your vacation! Summer is on its way and you don't want to be stuck here the whole time.
Remember it is in your best interest!
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| IStock Photo |
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Be good to your calendar and plan a getaway -
Brownie
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