It Gets Easier (in Some Ways)
When the kids are little, family vacations are often more work than fun. I can remember vacations where I got no sleep, no rest and certainly no me-time. I also remember having a sore back (from carrying all that JUNK) and a bad attitude (from dealing with screaming toddlers in public areas).
Well, for those of you with little guys at home, rest assured that you get your vacations back. At least until your cute toddler passes the innocuous pre-teen stage and turns into a mono-syllabic Marilyn Manson…
My kids can walk by themselves. They can carry their own things. They talk to each other and not just to me (so I can actually think a full thought). They have their own interests and come up with funny insights. I know they won’t starve to death or die in front of a careening black taxi in a crooked one way street in London.
What a relief. For the past few years, I have been savoring every second of our annual summer vacations, storing it up for entertainment purposes for when I am 90 years old, drooling in my rocker, reminiscing about the good old days.
And the best part is always… coming home!
Tags: independence, kids grow up, travel
July 11th, 2008 at 8:39 am
One thing I love about traveling is seeing how much the kids appreciate our home once we get back. The seem to feel so happy and safe here. Being away teaches them to appreciate all the things they take for granted during their everyday lives!
July 13th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
We usually head to the Florida Panhandle every year with our daughters and this May was the first time we didn’t have a child in diapers. It was wonderful!
p.s. love the title of your book…AMEN to that!
July 14th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Just wait Jamie–it gets even better once you start learning things from THEM! I’ve discovered that my kids are really great companions, and that’s such an unexpected bonus for me. I guess I always thought I’d be taking care of them, and teaching them, but the table turns at some point and they start giving back in droves.
And thanks about the title… it took some work to come up with, but we felt it was fun while also getting our point across.
I think what often surprises people is that the book goes pretty deep–i’s not really about pedicures and bubble baths at all!