Dec 3, 2008 New, Parenting and More
Last year we went on vacation with another couple and their son. This year we went away again, same time, same place. This time we travelled with 9 adults, three pre-schoolers and two babies!
I find traveling with a group far more enjoyable than just as a solo family. I love my husband but when it comes to how we enjoy our time on vacation – we are very different. He would prefer to swim, play sports on the beach, Scuba Dive. I would prefer to relax, shop, read a good book, sun-tan, site-see (if there is something worthwhile), and of course socialize with others. When we went to Mexico by ourselves we compromised a lot, and both spent some time bored out of our minds as the other enjoyed their preferred activity. By going with a group – chances are someone else might share your enthusiasm for a day at the beach, spa, shopping or a night of dancing at the “disco”.
A group is an added bonus when you have your kids with you. An extra set of eyes, a play-mate for the kids, a helping hand when you need it. The kids entertain each other instead of needing you to do it all day, and when you need to make a “potty-break” there is someone to watch the little ones.
There can be down-sides to group travel if there isn’t the freedom to run your own schedule, or to not feel scheduled at all. With so many kids, chances are someone will always be crying, squawking, pushing and hitting. Dinner can be a pain in the butt when one starts crying, causing a domino effect on the other cranky-no-nap-today-because-having-too-much-fun-playing-at pool-kids.
This was our first time traveling with the kids to a resort, and the first time with such a large group.
I would do a few things different:
We had a babysitter watch the kids one night so the adults (and babies) could go out alone. This was very enjoyable. Finally some quiet (except for when the band started playing happy b-day to a couple at another table and woke both babies up!), and some adult talk (about the kids of course!) and the ability to stay up late (er). Next time I would do this more often, not only was it fun for us – but the kids got a well-needed full night of sleep.
Make sure everyone was staying in the same area of the resort. Three couples were in “Royal Service” and the others were not. Those of us who had the Royal Service would have loved to spend more time at the private pool which was smaller, less busy and easier to keep an eye on the kids – but sneaking the others in was difficult. Also, having everyone in the immediate area makes it easier to co-ordinate.
Spend more time with just our own family unit – even just for a meal here and there.
We had walkie-talkies but for some reason forgot to carry them with us. Next time I would use them to facilitate communication amongst the group.
Some things we did well:
For entertainment we brought a DVD player which kept the kids quiet and happy for the long times sitting at a table for dinner
We brought dollar store toys we could then leave behind instead of cart home, leaving more room in suitcase
We brought multiples of the same toy because we knew that one of the other kids will want to play with the same thing
Laundry soap…always required when kids are involved….or adults who are drinking!
A half an hour massage at the spa
We knew Fred Flinstone was the licensee for the Kids Club, so before we left for vacation we introduced our son to the Flinstones. Still he looked pretty freaked out when he met him!
We had two rooms next to each other. The night we had a babysitter the kids stayed in one room. We left them there sleeping, and went in the other room to continue chatting. Had the rooms been far apart this wouldn’t have been possible.
While some times during the day I wished we hadn’t brought the kids – as they are a lot of work – seeing them enjoy themselves was well worth the trouble! If we hadn’t brought them I my older son might not have swam by himself (water-wings) so soon, and I wouldn’t have seen the wonder in my babies eyes as he watched (for hours) the palm trees.Anyone want to join us next year?
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Tags: dominican republic, family, fred flinstone, group travel, kids, parenting, sand, swimming, travel, vacations
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I’m so jealous. We haven’t even managed to take one family vacation with just one child and you’ve managed a couple with aplomb!
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:32 pm
We would love to – unfortunately that would require us winning the lottery first – double daycare has done us in financially!
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Mom On the Run – Things may be different when we have two in daycare. Mmmm…it might just be the hubby and I going!!
Karina – It is strange we never went on vacation anywhere outside of Canada until three years ago (unless you count the trip we won in University to Hollywood, Florida (which turns out to be a wonderful senior hang-out) and now we enjoy going so much.
December 19th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Wait until the kids grow up to be about 18 or so and you will really get to see the bright side of taking vacations like this.
Its fun and no hassle. And I have to tell you thank you for inviting your kids to come along with you instead of leaving them at home.
I know so many parents who run off on vacations to exotic locations and don’t include their little ones.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:22 am
Colin
We loved having them there! It was the perfect resort for kids too.
March 31st, 2009 at 11:44 am
There are tons of good idea’s here for a family vacation with multiple families. I’ve also found it a good idea to have different couples take turns watching all the kids one day or for a part of the day so everyone else can have some time away.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:31 pm
These are great tips for taking family vacations. We have taken many vacations on our own and although they are fun, they are boring at times when we have to do sometihng that one person wants to do. A family group vacation sounds way more hectic, but also has many advantages that you outlined above. I think it would be more fun to do it that way. It is not something I would like to do every year, as it take massive amounts of coordination to pull off, but would be a nice break from the ordinary small family vacation.