Like Mama mentioned yesterday, here we are sitting in a luxury resort enjoying a much needed vacation (although, here Mama is still “working” — imagine how that’s going over) while it’s spring break for the kids. However, one thing is always true about vacations with kids — it’s not really a vacation. It’s actually a lot of work.
Packing just to get there is a project in itself. Then you have the much dreaded car ride, train ride or flight to get where you’re going. That is yet another project you can add to your list. Then once you reach your final destination, it’s still work. You have kids to feed, entertain and watch while the swim, frolic or whatever it is you’re planning to do on your vacation. In fact, it’s much harder to entertain them outside your home because well…you don’t have all the comforts of home and there’s only so much swimming one can do in a day. Oh, and Mama isn’t sure about your kids but ours…they don’t go to sleep very well when in the same room so if we’re not lucky enough to stay in an Embassy Suites type of place — then it’s a long sleepless night.
So knowing how our family vacations usually go, the husband has decided that this vacation we would attempt some “adventures in babysitting.” The kids’ club starts at age 5 so Lily-girl can go and enjoy some much needed arts and crafts time without us. However, that still leaves one kid to entertain — Baby Boy. While even having just one kid is a break for Mama, the husband wants to have a few hours with just Mama and “talk” kidless (as in actually read a book or *gulp* have a conversation). He’s decided to hire a babysitter that can hang with him for a few hours.
Usually, no problem. However, we are in a foreign country and have never met this babysitter, we would prefer a childcare center. Is it really any different from what we do back at home? Mama isn’t quite sure. Maybe Mama is over thinking the whole process, after all the babysitters are pre-screened by the hotel and they’re going to be hanging out with him in the kid’s club…
Usually Mama doesn’t let him make decisions of this kind but in this case…it does sound very appealing since a massage would be so welcome. Have you ever used babysitters on vacation? What are your thoughts on family vacations and having a few hours of just “adult” time…worth it or save it for home?
