- I moved from California to Germany while pregnant with my second child.
- My children are now 8, 5 and 3 years old and traveling with them was not pleasant.
- I had to adjust my expectations and plan trips that everyone could enjoy.
When I moved from California to Germany, four months pregnant with my second child, I fantasized about the places my husband and I would take our children—swimming in the Greek islands, exploring the rugged mountains of Slovenia, and attending plays. in London’s West End. .
My cravings were fueled by travel influencers on Instagram extolling the virtues of traveling with little ones.
The reality was different
But when we traveled to Greece, in an Airbnb a mile from the Ionian Sea, I spent more time worrying about my kids breaking the coffee table or fancy glassware than enjoying my time.
At the Eiffel Tower, I said, “Don’t scream,” instead of marveling at the incredible sights.
At home and in daycare, they spent hours with their friends on the playground every day. They laughed, screamed and acted like children. But on vacation—in airplanes, museums, and rental accommodations—I expected them to act like mini-adults.
I really wanted to open their minds to new experiences. But the trips my husband and I painstakingly planned with our three offspring—ages 3, 5, and 8—were no fun for anyone.
I have changed my approach to holidays
I had to change my approach. I looked for kids-themed getaways nearby that worked for the whole family. It was the trip to Kassel, a stop on Germany’s fairytale road and home of the Brothers Grimm. It was a week in Leipzig – the zoo was a hit, the Bach Museum not so much.
I had to give up trying to get my kids to explore the world and just let them enjoy it.
For our August holiday, we took a three-hour train ride to a place where the local art scene was displayed in the craft room. Culinary offerings consisted of a bratwurst and ice cream stand. In other words, we went to a family camp.
Because I lowered my expectations of what we could do and let my kids just be kids, it was the best fun we’ve had together at a party.
The change of holidays allowed me to rest
Giving my children pure entertainment allowed me to relax, at least as much as I could as a mother of three young ones.
I’m not the type of parent who wants to spend all my free time at an indoor water park with dozens of other screaming families, but I’m learning that we need to have age-appropriate fun. And this looks different than what I had imagined (or what I saw on social media).
As they get older, I’m sure we’ll be able to take the trips I’ve been dreaming of – biking across Europe or seeing the surprise on their faces when they realize how small the Mona Lisa really is. That thought helps me get through a 45-minute puppet show in a language I barely understand.
Our next school break is at a small indoor amusement and water park. We plan to spend our days outside in the cold, wearing jackets, screaming as we ride roller coasters and stuff ourselves with overpriced cotton candy and homemade peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. At no time do I intend to tell my children to “shut up.”
These trips aren’t much cheaper than they used to be, but the local, low-key vacations we’re taking now offer me something to stay in a nice hotel in Paris or Barcelona ever – a chance to enjoy my family.