Next week we are headed on our first family vacation!!! I know, I know. I just got back from maternity leave. But a combination of perfect storms came together for us to pull off this nearly free 10-day vacation to one of our favorite spots in the world - Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Sure, it's not Bora Bora, but this place holds a deeply meaningful place in our hearts. Someone in my family owns a GORGEOUS penthouse condo on the Beach. Nearly 10 years ago when Brian and I were poor and newlyweds, we went here for our wedding. We fell in love there together - with the condo and our marriage - and have been back multiple times since. The condo has become a place of refueling, rest, recalibration, reconnection, and just FUN. I know it's silly to go from the beach on one coast to the other, but trust me - this beach is different from the chilly, choppy SoCal ocean.
This time we are taking our children. It is our first family vacation and we are gitty. We've never been to the condo with our kids. We've never vacationed with them. We realize this will be a very different kind of vacation for many, many reasons, so we'd love some input from y'all about what to do, no do, expect, pack, travel, etc. I was prompted to ask for some help especially after reading a new friend's post regarding her vacation last week.
PLEASE help a girl out. :)
you are gonna have a blast!
ReplyDeleteadvice -
order takeout and eat in. (kids can be stressful in restaurants)
be flexible with activities, etc.
do simple things (parks, kids museums, etc)
relish your time together - this (at the age they are at) will only happen once ever.
love you! have a great time!!
I could seriously write a book on what I have learned with little ones at the condo in the past 10+ years. But #1 is GRATITUDE! After spending nights stuffed in hotel rooms in unfamiliar locations, I just can't be thankful enough for 3 bedrooms and plenty of space to spread out in an area that we know well (so we know where to run and get needed items, etc). #2 Plan meals (easy meals) before you get there. Andrew and I usually spend our last day of driving planning our meals for the entire vacation (including the number of days we think we'll go out to eat). That way we can get our groceries on our way to the condo (or one of us can run out and shop while the other puts kids to bed - just keep in mind the store (Jewel?) on the island closes at 8:30 or 9) and then I don't have to really think about meals while we are there. #3 Plan to spend the first few days on the condo grounds. Expecting to not go anywhere besides the pool and little walks allowed us time to figure out the routine our kids would settle into without feeling like we were missing out by not going somewhere. #4 Realize beach days are definitely more complicated with kids. We love Bonita beach (south off the island) for several reasons - free parking, nice picnic tables near the beach so kids don't eat as much sand as they do food, shower stations to wash sand out of some of the locations you never imagined sand going, bathrooms, and the parking is close to the beach so you don't have to walk a long way carrying little ones, beach toys, chairs, towels, etc, etc. #5 Lakes Park (in Ft Myers) is a great destination with kids! The park has several nice playgrounds, 2 nice water features, & a mini-train you can ride. Best of all, once you pay to park, most of it is free (not the train). We go on a weekday (weekends can be packed), pack a lunch and stay until kids are worn out. #6 Ft Myers Beach library has a good kids and separate adult video section and there is a card you can use, but know you are limited to 5 check-outs per visit. #7 This one isn't fun, but it is realistic. Expect to spend the last day cleaning. Kids make a MUCH bigger mess than 2 adults :). Knowing ahead of time that I will spend the last day cleaning helps me adjust my attitude, so that any time I do get on that last day that isn't with a mop in my hands can be seen for what it is - a blessing :) #8 I think there are 2 umbrella strollers in the hall closet to use. I love evening walks to tire kids and relax :). I know there are some things I'm not covering. Feel free to email me if you have any questions!
ReplyDeletePick a couple of things you really want to do and when the kids are having a good day (minute, hour...) do one of them, but only one. If you have a busy day one day, have a low-key day the next to help the kids rejuvenate.
ReplyDeleteReally though...vacations with kids can still be a blast! We took 2 2-year-olds and a 4 year-old to Hawaii for a week and loved it. Yes, we had down time for naps (lots of reading or movies! Or a much needed nap!) and had to plan for bedtimes, but it was wonderful!
Oh...and bring lots of snacks. I know, I know...not the best parenting technique...but it helps them "enjoy" activities more when they have that distraction. Especially helpful on a plane!
I find beach vacations are the BEST with kids. Give them some shovels and buckets and you're set to get some sun time in. Plus, the sun wears them out and the sleep like champs. Both of my bio-children had their first "sleep through the night" moments on vacations.