As a kid, I always wondered why vacation prep seemed so stressful for my parents. As a parent, I now understand.
Being out of your comfort zone, environment, and routine can be stressful, especially when your kids are small. There’s so much to think about, plan for, pack and prepare for. Extra diapers, wipes, clothes, shoes, gloves, pacifiers, pack and play, blow up toddler bed, pump…the list literally could go on forever.
Then you get on the road and there’s snacks, waters, diaper breaks, diaper leaks, outfit changes, and whining…whew…the whining. It would be so easy to throw on a screen, to hand them something that brings fifteen minutes of peace and quiet. And then suddenly the whining stops, they notice something new out the window, they find something to pass to their sibling and they start to laugh. A song comes on and everyone starts to sing. And dance. And clap. And we laugh. We’ve just made a lifetime memory. Etched a feeling into their heart that they will look back on in their later lives and cherish. And hopefully they’ll recreate for their children and families in the future.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos and hard moments, to forget to relax and enjoy the time together. It’s just a mindset shift. Not many things with little ones will go as planned, but that’s the point. Those plans aren’t nearly as important as the feelings and memories we’ll all be left with. So I’ll enjoy every moment of vacation with these three sweet children. And my handsome Hubby.
And enjoy my coffee from my cup holder…and you can be sure, it’s probably cold.
Cold Coffee with Kids 