Ahh…vacation. The time when we take a break to rest, relax, and make sure our family milks every nickel’s worth of fun out of the vacation we’ve worked so hard to save for. OK, maybe I’m the only frugal person who sometimes thinks that way, but I bet I’m not alone.
Two years ago on a family trip to Disney World (with 3 kids under age 5 and a 5-months-pregnant me!), I learned a really important lesson about having the “get your money’s worth” mentality: It can ruin your vacation. That lesson was reinforced on our recent vacation to the mountains and beach, now with 4 small kids. Granted, a vacations are expensive, and for those of us who spend the rest of the year pinching pennies on a shoestring budget, throwing down the big bucks for an amusement park, condo rental, or other vacation fabulous-ness might make us want to wring every ounce of fun out of those vacation dollars.
The problem with that mentality is that you just might end up driving your family and yourself nuts in the process. Little ones, and even teens and adults can get worn out and crabby without breaks. We found that a little mid-afternoon down time made a huge difference in being able to enjoy our vacation plans.
The unexpected result of our down time? Some of my (and my kids’) favorite vacation memories: watching the kids hysterically belly laughing at the old-school Mickey Mouse and Goofy shorts that played in our Disney hotel TV during rest time; snuggling up and watching a movie with my kids (rather than hurrying up and getting my work done while they’re occupied like I might do at home!); laying with my 7-year-old daughter this summer while we both enjoyed the luxury of reading our own “chapter book” for fun…these are the moments we might have missed if I was pushing them to keep riding, water-sliding, hiking, swimming or sand-castle-building.
Allowing for a little down time can lower the stress levels for both parents and kids, and allowing you to truly get the most out of your vacation. With any luck, you’ll avoid some of that “I need a vacation after my vacation” feeling that sometimes happens at the end of a trip!
How do you make the most of your vacation? I love hearing everyone’s tips. And if you’re planning a vacation, don’t forget to check out our Travel on a Shoestring tips to save on vacation! 🙂