Once you're a parent you want to give your child everything~ well maybe not literally or materialistically but most of us have a desire to try to provide our kids with as many life experiences as possible. This leads me to the idea of the annual family vacation. I remember my Mom (single & on a budget) taking us on road trips to the Indiana dunes and all across the great state of Illinois (Galena being our favorite quaint lil town!) And when we visited our Dad, he usually took us camping. Those were our family vacations and they are memories and experiences I look back with fondness & I would never trade. To this day, I've never been to Florida-gasp (though I have been to nearly every other state). And if it weren't for that "parental" pressure I feel all around me to take my kids to Disney Land (by all the rest of you who just went, are going, or have gone 3 times already and your oldest is only 5!) I frankly could careless if I ever stepped foot in that state! But I digress... Ok ok, I really would like to take my kids on a get-a-way vacation to a fabulous & fantasy destination like Disney but the bottom line is...ITS EXPENSIVE. Its expensive to go anywhere, over night, out of state, for multiple days with a family of 4 or more. I honestly don't know how people do it (and do it without adding debt?)...or more importantly, WHY they do it?
In the scheme of your child's life...a good parent should ask yourself: what are the most important things I want my child to experience? That they spent time as a family? That they have quality educational experiences? That they feel loved? That they have a sense of purpose? This list may be endless but try to narrow it down to 4 or 5.
I try to parent keeping these in mind and thus, the choices I make on behalf of myself & my family also reflect these values. Since money & time do not grown on trees in my yard, I'll gladly chose a stay-cation this year...and next...and likely the ones after that. Especially if it means less stress on our family budget & money put towards a more important goal! Don't get me wrong...vacations are GREAT & usually well deserved breaks for the routine of usual life. I would love nothing else but to "go on vacation." I'm just not sold that the Disney type vacations are exactly where we(my family) need to be spending our money. Last I looked it was going to cost us upwards of 55K to send the kids through (private) school til high school only to spend that much on each of them during their last 4 years. I know that during these years they will get quality experiences & a quality education. I know they will feel loved & be cared for by their teachers & peers. I know they will develop a sense of purpose. Their education will be an invaluable investment. The kind worth making sacrifices such as those annual get-a-way vacays to fabulous & fantasy destinations. I know this from experience. And I know for a fact that while I "think" my kids will be missing out on the magic of Disney or swimming with dolphins or a cruise or animal safari, etc...they'll survive (like I did) if they never do end up there. So while I'm happy for those of you who had a vacation of a lifetime today, I'll be a happy parent every day of my children's lives for giving them this educational opportunity. Parental pressure can be squashed by focusing on your own parental values & goals. Had it not been for my education & how my own parents chose to spend our family vacations, I would not be the person I am today. Did Disney (or whatever get-a-way vacation you had) do this for you?
And super kudos to those of you who have made sacrifices or by the grace of good fortune are able to go on fabulous get-a-ways AND provide the very best for your kids in every aspect of of their lives!!
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