Observations About Travel With A Child

One observation I have made about traveling is how many people look so miserable on vacation.  It is sad looking, to watch people who are out to have fun, looking like their grandma just died or something.  

I notice this to be especially true at theme parks and other children centered places.  Here are a few reasons why I think vacations can go south.

1)Expectations-  First off, if you are at a theme park, it is a theme park.  The theme-crap kids want.  So expect them to want, and want, and want. They want to go here, want to go there, want to buy this, want to ride this.  Expect it. 

Second, I know with my kid at least, when it is nap time it is nap time. This doesn't change because you are at Sea World.  One thing we have never been stern on is sleeping in a bed. If you fall asleep in the car, knock yourself out. If you fall asleep in the stroller, awesome.  This has worked for us and made us all three a lot happier, relaxed, and able to enjoy more.  This has been stress reducing. For some it may be stress inducing. So ...to each his own.

At Sea World last May around 2 o'clock, I set in the shade as Finn napped in his stroller.  

I watched parent and child, after parent and child walk by.  Tears, screams, melt downs, frustrations. I thought, oh...nap time. It was like at 2 o'clock all the children were turning into pumpkins.  

If your child naps, don't expect them not to just because you are some attraction. 

These places are also exhausting.  Children that aren't used to being out in the heat or walking that much will be exhausted.  That is why I do not bat an eye to see kids upwards of 7 years old cruising in a stroller. I get it.  I usually want a stroller too. 

2)Outlaw "Mandatory Family Fun"- Having kids does not mean you have to go to kid places.  Having kids does not mean every meal must be in the form of a nugget or every activity has to include a ride.  A lot of the families at Sea World looked like they wanted to rip each other's faces off.  (Note: Not saying we haven't ever been those people, we have just learned a few tricks to not be these people.)This is what I see and call "Mandatory Family Fun."  If Sea World isn't your thing, don't go. It won't be a good memory if it is forced and everyone would rather be somewhere else.  You don't have to like Sea World. 

The families that always look the happiest, the most relaxed, and like they are truly enjoying themselves are the ones that you can tell are actually where they want to be. At Great Wolf Lodge  most families looked like they were having a blast. Maybe it was the alcohol or the fact that you could turn your head for five seconds because 15 lifeguards were hovering around each child like hawks, but it worked.  

Another place we noticed lots of happy children and parents...New Orleans.  The families we saw strolling the French Quarter were all families with children around Finn's age or younger. That is key I think with a city like New Orleans.  Finn was too little to worry to much about nude pictures on signs or people who had too much to drink by noon.  

In fact two of Finn's favorite places so far have been New Orleans and Vegas.  

 Finn's probably never been more excited about a new place than he was arriving by car in Vegas at night. It rocked his world.

I knew he would love them. It may sound crazy, but here is why I thought so.   Both cities have lights, performers in the streets, and loud music that kids eat up with a spoon.  Finn's favorite thing in New Orleans was  a guy dressed up like a car. 

3) Balance- Do stuff you like, do stuff the kids like. Kids get over stimulated. We find that one day spend at a children's museum, park, etc.  will give Finn just enough fun that the next day he is fine with sight-seeing, etc.  Most of the fun we've had on our trips required no tickets, no waiting in lines, etc.  It was eating, walking, looking at the buildings, etc.  Everyday doesn't need to be cram packed with stuff you think that the kids will want to do. They get tired too.  Tired mom, tired dad, tired kid(s) = no fun. 

On this particular day we lost our heads and waited too long to get a nap. So once we got in the car, he was fired up. He was going crazy with a  balloon.  So crazy in fact, we wanted to pop it.  We didn't, but we thought about it. 

4) Don't over think it.  I think so many people want so bad for everyone to have fun that they over think it.  They try to do too much in one day, have really high expectations, and end up disappointed.  It will be okay.  The most important part is that you enjoy it.  Make your vacation your own, filled with things you all like to do.  

No matter what you do, have fun.