Our family took a weekend trip away on Easter weekend for our son’s hockey tournament. We took our four children plus our daughter’s best friend. The kids had a lot of fun but I am exhausted. Taking a trip is not as fun when you are an adult. I think it has a lot to do with the amount of responsibility that falls on the parents, or in this case, me. For example:
My list of responsibilities before we even leave the house:
- call to arrange hotel room
- do laundry
- Pack all 6 suitcases (including husband and all things baby will need for weekend)
- arrange for dog to go to boarding kennel for weekend
- buy snacks for room
- search directions to hotel and arenas
- get gas
- go to ATM
- do a quick cleaning of van
- load all suitcases in van
- make arrangements with the Easter Bunny to have treats set out when we get home
- try to keep sanity while children run around with excitement
My husband’s responsibilities before leaving:
- Drive dog to kennel
- Buy liquor
The children’s responsibilities before leaving:
- Nag mom about when we are leaving
- Look up what hotel pool looks like on the internet
- Fight about seating arrangements in the van
- Run around the house with extra hyper excitement
I remember how fun it was to go on trips when I was a kid. Click To Tweet
Now I realize the effort made by my parents to ensure everything went smoothly and my sister and I had fun. I am thankful for all the times they took us on trips and I remember the joy, excitement and all the fun we had as children. Now I am trying to give my children the same experience. Although exhausted, I am happy that our children had fun. It is just that at times like these, I wish I was a kid again.
