VALUABLE TIME FOR PARENTS
“Everyone should have the right to holidays, both those with children and those without children”.
Holiday! It’s such a lovely time. They always fly by, but the memories remain.
For me, these memories make it easier to collaborate and calm my emotions at work. I can’t imagine not having a longer break from work to return relaxed and energized.
In my family, we spend a week of vacation with the kids and four or five nights alone. I’ve heard mixed reviews from various parents. Some people say leaving children alone on vacation is uncool. While others say they practice it and consider it essential for parents. To me, it’s the most natural need for two people who have children and don’t have time for each other.
Besides, our holidays together only started when my parents and parents-in-law stopped being afraid of staying with the children because they were no longer babies. This period of freedom for us, as parents, arrived when Dora turned two and Patrick turned four. In short, for four years, we spent our holidays exclusively with our children. I agree with whoever first aptly observed: “Holidays with children are not holidays.”
https://littlepuzzlesandme.com/moms-tips-for-better-travel-with-children-part-1/
And for Moms who told me, “I couldn’t leave my children like this,” or “I would miss them terribly.” I agree with their feelings. I miss them too. Just think about your husband and the time you spend with him. I’ll talk to him honestly. He loves his children more than anything, but he’s painfully aware of the lack of time with his wife.
It’s not like, dear moms, that you give up your children for a week and indulge your own whims. Your children are constantly on your mind. Walking on the beach, you collect shells and stones for them. Strolling around town, you buy souvenirs for them. And you fill your luggage with sweets for them.
Besides, we have phones; we can always call and check on the little ones. My little precious had a wonderful time and felt comfortable surrounded by their loved ones. They didn’t rush to the phone. And when they did, they exchanged two or three sentences and went back to playing.
I’ll show you briefly what a day on vacation looks like for me, with and without kids. Let me know if you’ve had similar experiences.
| PARENTS’ HOLIDAY WITHOUT CHILDREN | PARENTS’ HOLIDAY WITH CHILDREN |
You decide what time you wake up in the morning without noise, fingers in your eyes, or jumping on the bed. | You hear, feel, and see with one eye the signs that you have to get up, but every waking up is not your decision. |
| For us, breakfast is a calming moment of the day, accompanied by warm, aromatic coffee and a fresh croissant. We enjoyed moments without conversation, listening to the sound of waves or birdsong. We didn’t have to rush, and we gained wonderful energy. I savor every meal that lands on my plate and every sip of coffee. | Breakfast time for parents means a marathon. After eating half of the cornflakes, my toddler screams, “Mom, I have to poop!” My second kid, at the same time, collided with someone at the juice machine, and we have another level of marathon, running for a T-shirt to change into. Food disappears from the kids’ plates faster than you can get in line for the coffee machine: Mom, Dad, can we go to the pool now? |
| You go to the beach or pool alone, baggage-free. Or perhaps your hands are full of a drink or beer. You feel the warm sand and the gentle breeze. The wonderful sensations of the water relax your body. At the pool, whenever you feel the need to get in, you go in. When you feel the need to get out, you go out. On the beach, you only feel the sand under your feet; you don’t have it in your mouth or in your drink. The most important person on the beach or by the pool is the bartender or waitress, and unforgettable and kind words also come from them: Would you like another drink? Ma’am, I see your bottle is empty. May I exchange it? Ma’am, your cocktail will be ready in a moment. Would you like another glass of wine? | When going to the pool or beach with children, parents can turn into a CAMEL. The more you pack, the better. Yesterday, we went out without a ball, and Patrick wanted to play with a friend at the pool, but he also forgot the ball. So, if you’re a camel, you don’t have to go back to your room. Parents save time and even gain some extra time for themselves, because the children will play together for up to an hour. For your children, the beach is a battlefield, full of fights over buckets, shovels, water, and sand, and they have plenty of that. Arguments over who has the prettiest shell, rock, castle, and so on. Cry because someone throws sand in your son’s eyes, and my daughter is upset because the waves are taking her castle. Mom, watch me! Mom, you see me jumping?! Mom, you’re not watching me! Mom, please look at me! Now, Mom, you haven’t seen me! Mom, you see me?! |
Our souvenir shopping trip ended with buying a bottle opener, which came in very handy on the beach, and a few magnets for the kids and family. We didn’t waste the rest of our trip to the city on shopping, but on sightseeing, strolling along the seafront, stopping to visit restaurants, and sampling regional dishes and wines. Several times, I found myself looking for children’s menus in the restaurants we visited. So we’re constantly thinking about the kids, but it’s so wonderfully quiet. We admire the sunset, and it’s quiet. I’ll eat the dish they served me, warm. In the evening, we’ll casually strike up a conversation and finish it. In bed, we won’t follow the rules: don’t touch, don’t lick, don’t go there. | Going out with children to visit the attractions recommended in a given place can lead to bankruptcy on your account. When sightseeing, I don’t focus on the attractions, just so my child doesn’t get lost in the crowd. You say hundreds of times, instructions that no one listens to, no one respects: don’t go in there, don’t touch, don’t lick, stay close to your mom. And a situation from our last vacation. I left my kids and husband for 5 minutes to get a souvenir. I come back, and both kids are crying, and Dora’s knee is busted. My husband says, “Marta, I told them 10 times: don’t jump on those rocks. 10 times.” |
You May Also Like
ONE IMPORTANT THOUGHT FOR TODAY
MY ATTEMPTS TO SURVIVE NEW CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
