Happy Tuesday! Were you off yesterday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day?
I took time off from work to spend a long weekend in South Beach with my family. JB, Levi and I flew down to meet my parents, sister and brother-in-law for a couple of carefree days, although we quickly learned that there is no such as thing as “carefree” when you have a baby. As flexible as we tried to be with Levi’s schedule, his needs really did dictate our plans.
While we had a great time with everyone, it wasn’t the relaxing vacation that JB and I had hoped. In fact, the only thing relaxing about this past weekend was the one hour couple’s massage that JB and I treated ourselves to on Saturday! Even when he was on his best behavior (which was most of the time!), Levi kept us on our toes.
Sharing this frustration with my mom, she explained to me that parents with small children don’t go on family vacations. They take family trips. My mother-in-law confirmed this difference in semantics.
From www.dictionary.com:
vacation
1. a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holidaytrip
1. a journey or voyage
Do you agree that there is a difference between a vacation and a trip? Where did you go on your last family getaway?
{iPhone photos taken in Miami Beach and South Beach, January 12-16, 2012. If you’d like to know exactly what we did, let me know!}
Hubby and I spent our long holiday weekend in Myrtle Beach. We were celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary! RJ stayed with family for the weekend. It was the first time he’s been away from both of us.
Yes, there is a difference between a vacation and a trip. I agree with your mother about traveling with small children. As a family, we’ve driven to NYC twice and taken several trips to Charleston and Charlotte. I’ve also traveled alone with him to Atlanta.
This was the first time we’ve gone out of town without RJ and it was completely different from the trips we’ve taken with him. This trip we got to do things if and when we wanted. When we travel with the baby everything revolves around him, down to what types of restaurants we go to. This weekend was a vacation for us, relaxed and carefree. I think, no matter the distance from home or the length of time we are gone, anytime we travel with RJ will be considered a trip, until he’s at least 8! Not that we will stop traveling with him, but our expectations of the journey will be different.
So glad you got to have “adult time” with your husband to celebrate your anniversary! You’re right — it’s all about expectations. Now I know that my vacations will no longer be relaxing!
🙂 This sounds very familiar! Silly me thought that taking Wally to visit my husband in Italy would be a vacation. Bwahahaha was I wrong! It basically scared us into believing we can’t ever travel anywhere as a family and stay a family. Ever.
Now we’re realizing that it’s ridiculous to live in Europe and not travel. They will definitely be trips and not vacations… but it feels like it’s getting easier now that our little man is starting to communicate in ways other than crying.
I’m glad you had a good time! And it’s so wonderful that you were able to meet up with your whole family. Having all hands on deck is definitely the way to go!
LOVE the pics PJ!! I heart palm trees!