Kid Friendly Vacation

In The Single Mom's Survival Guide, Bethanny draws on her own experience to help others who find themselves in the same situation. The book includes tips for saving money, advice on finding child care and many other topics of interest to single mothers.

A Kid Friendly Vacation This Year
By Kelly Land, © 2006-2008, All rights reserved.



Think a kid friendly vacation means mom and dad don't get to have any fun? No way! Doesn't have to.

Think a kid friendly vacation is going to be expensive? No way! Doesn't have to!

I know you can remember back to before you had kids. I know you remember maybe your honeymoon? Or lets go waaaay back to Spring Break?? No responsibility, nothing but fun and friends and great food. All you had to worry about was getting a fabulous tan. I'm a 38-year old mom of two and I can still remember vacations. The kind where you got rest and long, quiet, romantic dinners with your man.

But those days have been replaced with the job of being a parent. I LOVE my kids. I've been blessed with a boy and a girl! You couple that with a wonderful husband, a dog and a cat--and I'm living the American dream! Wooohooo!

But lets get back to vacations. Or more yet...to kid friendly vacations.

Of course we all want to take a vacation. Each year we all try to go somewhere with the family over summer break. Many people wait for that tax return check and plan their vacation. Some go to Disney, some go out west to see the Grand Canyon. We have friends that are heading to Canada this year to check out Niagara Falls!

This year, we've decided to plan, budget and ensure fun for all. That includes us parents!

We decided to head not far from home. (Sounds boring--but really....it's not). We live only a few hours from Gatlinburg. There's cabins, Dollywood, Cherokee Village and Splash Country! So even though we're not traveling across the country or the world for that matter....we are going to make this a great vacation.

The first thing to keep in mind for a stress free and kid friendly vacation is to stay in your budget. Nothing ruins a trip faster than running out of cash before it's over. We always pick a place (no matter where we go) that has some kind of kitchen. We eat breakfast for the most part in our kitchen and many dinners. Lunches we have out while we're sightseeing and hitting the amusement parks. (Amusement Parks can charge ridiculous amounts for a bottle of water, a burger or even a soda! Stash what you can in the stroller or a back pack!) We've even packed a cooler and just gone in and out of the park and eaten. We're not cheapo people, but come on.... $3 for a water??? I'm not Donald Trump.

Many hotels and cabin rentals offer great family packages. Do not book your reservation anywhere without seeing who offers what. Some hotel chains allow kids to eat free, and some offer tickets to local attractions. This can save you literally $100's on a week long vacation.

Kid Friendly Vacation Tip:
Top Ten Hotels and Resorts for Family Vacations

We got a cabin with a hot tub on the porch. After the kids were in bed, my husband and I got to enjoy the hot tub and relax and enjoy some grown up conversation after a day of kid fun.

When we went to Myrtle Beach one year, they offered arts and crafts for kids at certain times so that parents could catch a break. These were typically free. My husband and I would have a small "date" each afternoon while the kids made crafts, listened to story time or watched a puppet show.

The more geared toward kids your lodging is, the better chance you have of snagging some "grown-up" time. Always make sure you know exactly where your kids are at though. Vacation-y and tourist-y places are hot beds for freaks and weirdos. Our kids have walkie talkies and know exactly where they can find us and who they go to if they feel uncomfortable around another person. Even teenagers should not e left to wander aimlessly on their own. I don't let my kids go down to the soda machine when we're at a hotel without me or my husband. NO WAY.

Be sure that everyone is dressed comfortably when you're out and about doing activities. You might even bring some changes of clothes. Always carry sunscreen, bug spray, water, snacks and a first aid kit. If you have a cellphone--carry it. Like I said earlier--these little walkie talkie or two way radios are inexpensive and can be picked up at discount stores like Target, Sams or Wal-Mart. We use them bike riding, hiking and even at the mall.

Make sure your kids know your cellphone number and your full names. Little ones especially, in case, God forbid, they do get lost.

Explaining to your kids that this is a vacation for everyone is worth taking the time to do. Don't dismiss the fact that your kids really DO want their parents to have fun too.

One year, because our kids are so far apart in age (6 years), we let the older one bring a friend. This worked out amazingly well for us and our 4-year old. Make sure the child you invite is "ok" with being away from home for a week, that they have some spending money and assure them they can call home any time if they like.

One important aspect of keeping a vacation kid friendly, and grown up friendly too....limit the junk. You know what I mean! Chips, cookies, ice cream, soda, popcorn, candy, pizza etc. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than a tummy ache and constipation. Don't learn this the hard way. Keep fruit on hand like bananas, apples and grapes.
Balance out the sodas (if they must have them) with lots of water or swap the soda for lemonade which typically has less sugar and no caffeine.

If you have a kitchen, start them off (and yourself) with a healthy breakfast at least. Milk, cereal, fruit and the like. Keep raisins and trail mix handy in the car, backpack or stroller. Soda crackers and 7 UP can be handy when tummy trouble arises, but have some OTC meds for diarrhea like Pepto and even some children's Tylenol for any middle of the night aches.

Planning and preparing is the best way to have a kid friendly vacation. Be like a Boy Scout and be prepared! You'll be glad you did and so will your kidlets.

More than anything....bring your sense of humor. Vacations with kids (or any vacation for that matter) can be trying. Things get lost, weather is unpredictable and things "happen". Being a grouchy, complaining parent sets the mode for grouchy, complaining kids.

And once the trip is over...make sure you remember the fun, the exciting and the silly. We always make scrapbooks for our vacations. Once we get home we gather round the dining room table with scissors and all the pictures, ticket stubs and other little mementos and build are scrapbook. In the comfort of home and familiar surroundings it's easier to laugh about things that went wrong and learn what we can do better for the next vacation.

Long after they are grown-up, and even after you're gone.... your kids will have those scrapbooks and memories to cherish....and to use as tools for planning vacations with their own kids. Scrapbooking supplies are sold at discount stores, craft stores and through many independent direct sales reps.

Your kids love you. Have a good time and a safe trip.

Copyright 2005 - 2008. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of this article in whole or in part without written or verbal permission is strictly prohibited.

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