Feeling the frustration of isolation last winter coupled with my challenging new duties of parenthood, I desperately required a break. Well, there really is no such thing as a break from parenting, but I needed a change of scenery. My wife had already exhausted all of her vacation time (as part of her maternity leave) so this trip was going to be a father-son bonding experience in the warmer climate of Florida. So, we hopped a plane to sunny Florida and visited our extended family. Spending quality time with your little one locally is a fantastic bonding experience, but going to a new place together, certainly took it up a notch. New playgrounds, new faces, different climate, swimming in the pool, and a change of pace is what sold me on a boys only trip last winter.
Winter is here again, and like me, many dads out there are dreaming of greener pastures. Getting ready to embark on another trip down to (hopefully) sunny Florida, I couldn’t help, but to share my enthusiasm for traveling with little kids. Especially children under two, who are really at the mercy of their parent’s schedule! It’s exhausting, but worth it. Still not convinced?
You must read, Frugal San Francisco, in the NY Times Travel section by Matt Gross. Here is a breath of fresh air, an at-home-dad writing about his father-daughter vacation to San Francisco. Gross writes, ” This trip was a chance to demonstrate my talents not only as a frugal traveler but as a self-sufficient, all-in-one SuperDad! I would feed, dress, clean and entertain my little girl for an entire week, while exploring a strange city on the other side of the country — and doing so, of course, without spending a lot of money.” Not only was it an interesting read, but provided me with some new tips because this dad is truly resourceful!
Have you travelled on a vacation alone with your child(ren)? How was your experience?
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