After the past two pandemic years, everyone could sorely use a vacation. If the office and your child’s school both came home, you might feel like your “on” switch has been stuck in that position. Getting away and blowing off steam will benefit your mental and physical health, even boost your productivity when you return.
However, today’s generations have a tougher row to hoe than their folks did when planning a getaway with the kiddos. How can you make the most of your precious PTO? Here are five vacation tips for millennial parents who want to unwind from the grind without losing their minds.
Seek Hotels With Child Care
You have plenty of options when it comes to places to stay. The pandemic travel downturn means vacancies aplenty, with hoteliers anxious to fill rooms.
More adventurous families might enjoy a stay in the great outdoors without all the bugs and discomfort of sleeping on the ground. A trip to one of the nation’s top glamping resorts might have you snoozing in an Airstream, a fully outfitted yurt or even a treehouse.
One amenity you should prioritize is onsite childcare services. It’s your vacation, too, after all — you might want to sneak off with your spouse to waterski or simply unwind with a few adult beverages. Many resorts now offer staff-monitored movie and game nights for the littles while their grownups enjoy some child-free R&R.
Another plus? An enclosed play area for the youngest tots and goodie bags delivered to your room. A fenced-in play area gives you the peace of mind you need to check your phone and say hi to the folks back home while your kids swing and slide, free from worries of wandering off.
Pack a Fun-for-the-Road Bag
The phrase “are we there yet” is enough to make steam pour from the most patient parent’s ears. Your vacation destination is often more fun with little ones in tow — after all, you have an excuse for going on every ride at the amusement park, even the kiddie ones. Getting there, on the other hand, is another story.
Savvy millennial parents know to pack a fun-for-the-road bag to occupy their littles during the commute. This carrier never emerges from storage for any other occasion — doing so would make it less special.
What should you include? A combination of toys for solo and group play works if you have multiple little ones. Books and coloring books keep kiddos occupied independently, but a simple deck of cards can pass the time between siblings. Include some special surprises, too — perhaps a favorite snack you don’t let them eat too often because of the nutritional content — or lack thereof.
Keep it simple. Your kids will cart along their electronics without any prompting from you. Make the dollar store your friend for the rest.
Make It a Learning Adventure
Educational experts worry about the lingering effect of the pandemic on children’s learning curves. Your child can’t get those lost class hours back, nor can you singlehandedly solve the problem. However, you can enhance their knowledge by turning your vacation into a learning adventure.
The trick is keeping your journey fun, not turning it into a homework assignment. Start before your departure. For example, you might ask your kids to research what the average temperature will likely be in Florida if you’re planning to head south and visit the world’s most famous mouse. Can they use their internet savvy to locate the best restaurants that tailor to any dietary restrictions your family members have?
Look for ways to add learning to your stay. Are you headed to the beach? Have your kids investigate what type of seashell makes the best home for a hermit crab. Hitting the amusement park? Give older children a math challenge — can they figure out how much faster the coaster will descend hills at full capacity versus one or two passengers? How does the weight impact their ride?
Stay Safe on the Road
Breaking down on a dark, deserted highway is no one’s idea of fun. Having it happen when you’re responsible for your little one’s safety is a nightmare.
Get your vehicle inspected before hitting the road — take it for an oil change and have the mechanic give it a once-over if you live in a state without such a requirement. Pack necessary safety equipment like a jack, triangles, flares and a spare tire. It’s also wise to carry plenty of water and some snacks and blankets in case you have to wait a while for help to arrive.
Please remember that the pandemic is still a thing, even if your family is vaccinated. Carry plenty of extra masks and sanitizer to protect yourself — different jurisdictions vary regarding face-covering requirements. The TSA recently extended the requirement for public transport, so you’ll need one for the plane and train.
Take Advantage of Every Discount
Travel costs money. If you want to get away, you have to get budget savvy.
Sign up for every online travel discount board you can find. If you can get a rewards credit card, do so. Use it for everyday purchases and pay it off each pay period to rack up points without oodles of extra interest. It takes discipline, but the sweet free miles are worth it.
Look into alternative lodging arrangements, like home shares and swaps. Consider group discounts, too. If your millennial mama tribe needs a break after the last two years, you might be able to split the cost of renting a house through Airbnb or VRBO for far less than a hotel.
Vacation Tips for Millennial Parents
After the past two years, who couldn’t use a break? Parents with small children felt the strain most of all, given the reality of homeschooling while telecommuting.
Planning the perfect family getaway takes savvy. Embrace these five vacation tips for millennial parents.
About The Author
Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find herin a yoga class, advocating for body positivity, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, or smashing the patriarchy.