The New Vacation

We had a lovely time in Florida.  Nana and Papa are great with Pearl and Carrie and took them out for whole afternoons at a time!  We ate brunch together and read and even discussed the Sunday New York Times.  Marcia saw some movies.  I read a whole book, a yummy, dark and stormy Swedish detective story! 

However, for the record, I must reveal an observation that I have made these past few years.  Vacationing has changed since we began having children.  This is not a complaint or rant.  I love parenting.  These are simple observations about how vacationing has "evolved" if you will.

THEN
In the days of yore, Marcia and I liked exploring the urban metropolises on foot.  We hiked and biked the Oregon coast.  We sat down and drank coffee and talked and wrote in our journals.

NOW
We seek out never ending boardwalks with ramps where we can use a double stroller if we have an actual destination in mind.

THEN
We loved finding out about the neighborhoods we visited.  We ate Mayan food in the Yucatan and bento  in Portland.  We watched people making cigars and polishing gemstones.

NOW
We look for the familiar.  At mealtime, Pearl enjoys announcing loudly: I LIKE PLAIN FOOD, and so meals away from Houston are identical to the ones at home--macaroni and cheese, carrots, apples, broccoli, and grapes.

THEN
We used to love "day trips," little excursions to Victoria or Tulum or Bondi.

NOW
We stay close to the center of our little solar system so that we don't miss naps and disturb the holy routine.

Tell me your take on this.  Is it just us?

Comments

[Juno888]

That would be great...It is good to have family time to keep the bond..

[alice, uptown]

No, not just you. All of my friends who are parents say the same thing. Once it was hello, Paris; now it's hello, chain restaurant (pick one that lets the kids crayon and the adults drink).

[Mieke]

What about vacations where you'd wake up grab breakfast, then doze as you read a book on the beach, the relaxing evening showers that rinsed the sand and lotion off your body before dinner, making love and falling into a deep sleep because your sun soaked body now fills heavy with love and relaxation so you skip dinner.

Ahhhh those were the days. when vacations were for relaxing and catching up on sleep!

[shannon]

Then: I saw my parents about once a year
Now: I see my parents every-other month, and my in-laws on the odd other months

Then: We went to cities in which no one we knew lived
Now: we don't have any travel time or funds left over after all that seeing of parents

bah. I love parenting too, but I am complaining. I'd like to take our kids to some new places!

[Julia]

I have always said that a vacation with the kids really isn't a vacation... just the same frustrations in a different environment ... at least you had your parents/in-laws there to help so you all could have some alone time.
Mason and I have 4 types of vacations
1. all of us (including kids) visiting family (but family who doesn't really help with the kids)
2. all of us (IK) visiting family (but family that does help with the kids)
3. JUST US - NO KIDS and NO Family!!! might I reccomend Montreal!!!
4. Separate vacations where watch the kids ourselves while the other half gets to go on vacation alone (mason = hunting) (julia= going to new england to see friends)

Right now unless it is 3 or 4 its just NOT a vacation :-)