I remember when vacations were easy.

I remember when I WAS THE KID

and my parents took care of everything

and I didn’t have to pay a dime

or pay attention

because
they
would
do
that
for me.

I remember when vacations didn’t require so much planning

and the only plan

was to have no plan

or bedtime

or rules.

I remember when there wasn’t a waiting hour for the shower

and how a party of two rarely had to wait at a restaurant and if we did have to wait, well, we could just sit at the bar.

I remember when walking didn’t involve complaining

and when whining didn’t go hand in hand with walking.

I remember those times, I sure do.

BUT THESE TIMES ARE WAYYYYYYYY BETTER.

These times are the real good times.

No doubt they are

challenging

and draining

and crazy-making,

but they are also fulfilling as hell, as most things worth anything are.

Vacationing with kids isn’t for the faint of heart.

And undoubtedly you’ll find yourself begging yours to stay

patient

and calm,

and carry you through.

But when you sit back at the end of a

very full

and very long,

many moment-filled day

and you recollect on

who you’ve created,

and what you’re creating with those soon-to-be grown precious individuals every minute that you are with them,

you know it’s all worth it.

Because they are worth it.

And because of you,

they will not only know their worth,

but the incomparable value of FAMILY

and time spent together.

It doesn’t have to be extravagant or fancy,

and God knows,

even if it is,

your kid will still complain they are

bored

or tired

or sooooooo hungry

or that their legs “just can’t walk anymore,”

or that they “just wanna go home.”

So take family vacations for what they are:

A group of imperfect, messy people trying to have fun outside of the walls of their home, while wholeheartedly, though intermittently, understanding that “home” is just being together,

alas

still imperfect

and still messy,

anywhere that may be.