This Week's Backtalk: Summer Travel!

but like everything, things are a bit different once you have kids, and that goes for vacations, too. You cannot really expect to just lie on the beach and not have to worry about your kids for hours. Or being able to get drunk on cocktails, then stumble into your suit for some "alone time" with your husband.

 I don't think your expectations should be low, but they should be realistic. Keep travel time short if you can, and travel at night or very early in the morning so the kids will fall asleep in the car or on the plane. Try to respect their schedule as much as possible while there - for instance, if you are at DisneyWorld with your toddler, schedule the rides for before or after nap time, and take a walk, browse the giftshops or do another fairly quiet activityaround naptime, so he/she can sleep in the stroller.

And even on a family vacation you can have some time to enjoy yourself by hiring a sitter - most hotels have a babysitting agency they call when needed.

I have a 9 year old and a 3 year old, and my husband and I have never taken a vacation alone - but I don't feel deprived or fun-starved, really. We try to have date nights when we are home, and we consider vacation a family activity - at least until the girls are old enough to go off on their own :-)

I agree with one of the speakers in the video, keeping expectations low is key.  I'm going on my first vacation/road trip with my boys this summer.  They are 4 yrs old and 6 months.  I have very low expectations.

I don't think I would have attempted to take so many kids to Disneyworld.  When I went with my husband (before kids) we saw so many parents yelling at their children who looked so tired and ready to leave.  I don't think it would be fun for either my young kids or me.  I'll wait till they are a bit older.

The vacation stories were hilarious but it made me more nervous for this summer's trip.  LOL.

Maria Melo

http://www.conversationswithmoms.com

who need a vacation.

We believe this so much, we take one with our kids and one without kids every year. With cash and without fail. This year it's a bluegrass festival for the adults and a black hills South Dakota trip for the kids. We are staying in a cabin with a pool, and eating in two meals a day to save money and taking advantage of all the free stuff to do in that area. Hiking, trout fishing, gold panning, swimming, biking, Rushmore, and more.

One year we took my mom, (newly widowed) and she kept the kids at night, so Ben and I could date. She even kicked in some money to help with the trip. A great memory.

Who says vacations have to be to Disney World? Why not explore your state using day trips, camp, hike, fish, bike (we have a neat B&B and bike trail vacation thing in our area) fun and doesn't cost much.

Take a break, you need it.

www.reclaimsimplicity.com ( http://www.reclaimsimplicity.com/ ) 

Discover how rich and hilarious life can be when it's simple. Tales and tips on making money mind, riding the recycle, simple food, homegrown music, gardening and more.