How to Distract From Kids While on Vacation
As a meteorologist Paul Goodloe didn’t think about family travel for us: “If you include a child, it is no longer a vacation, we just call it travel.” Don’t get us wrong: traveling the world with your kids can be a formative experience that will build up memories of a lifetime. It can also be quite stifling (reminiscent of that trip to San Diego when the hotel had rooms with only single beds). Your kids are rowdy and horny on virgin tiki drinks and have nowhere to run.
For any family vacation longer than a week, it would be nice to get some rest. Read: Time away from children. This luxury is more feasible than you might think, but it takes some planning.
Stay in a hotel with built-in childcare
The easiest way is to look for hotels with free kid’s clubs. (“Free,” of course, is not entirely accurate — these properties tend to be expensive.) Most all-inclusive resorts and cruises have a great babysitting benefit. (Last summer, I made extensive use of the “nursery” on our cruise ship to Norway – in my fourth month of pregnancy, I dozed off every day while my baby was playing ping-pong in limbo with new friends.)
Points Guy has a good list of US hotels with free childcare. Or search for kids club spots on Trip Advisor . If you’re ready to splurge, there are also resorts with dedicated vacation nannies assigned to every family that arrives. Yes, I said I was on nanny vacation.
Spend your vacation with a day camp
Sarah, a Denver mom, writes that this was the best idea she and her husband have had in a while. They stayed at a condominium in Keystone, Colorado, and their children went to an accredited nature and science day camp every day from 8 am to 5 pm. She gave the go-ahead to share here: “They must have an amazing time (one kid cried on the penultimate day because she didn’t want camp to end) and my husband and I had free time for hiking, cycling, golf ( he is not me), swimming, jacuzzi, shopping, eating and drinking. In the evenings we had dinner together, relaxed in the pool and watched TV. They also did one night and we had a full night / morning rest! It will definitely be an annual event. “
If you do a little research, day camp can be a relatively affordable option – and your child may even learn a skill they can’t learn at home (like surfing if you live in Kansas). Another idea recommended by Caitlin on the Offspring Facebook group is to use childcare services at your local Lifeline or YMCA if your membership allows it. Please note that your child must be at least three years old and / or potty trained to participate in most of these programs.
Hire a nanny
There is always the option to hire a local nanny, although it can be unnerving if you are in a foreign location. You can first share your feelings on Facebook by asking your friends if they know first-hand about any good sitters. If that doesn’t work, you can try your hotel concierge, who is likely affiliated with a network of trusted childcare providers. Or you can visit Care.com , which can help you find a nanny in over 20 countries.
Team with other families with children (or bring grandparents)
My favorite solution is to travel with other families with children and make a plan for each parent or couple to have a child-free day or evening. During this time, other parents will look after everyone. There is no extra cost and the kids will have fun playing together. You can also bring your grandparents with you for extra pairs of hands, which is recommended by several members of the Offspring Facebook group.
At the very least, take a baby monitor with you and put the kids to bed early.
Even if you can’t get away from your kids completely, there are a few solo moments worth highlighting. After your kids go to bed, have a glass of wine with a partner on the balcony, or watch the latest Fleabag season. Emily of the Offspring Facebook group wrote that while traveling with her one-year-old, “we made sure the monitor went to the hotel lobby and we bought a picnic, had a beer and played games while the baby slept.” It’s like a vacation.