Vacationing without some of the family

[EllenFrasier]

This is going to be a tough summer for my boys. I was just looking over vacation options. Last year we went away for a long weekend over Columbus day so that my son that is in high school could go with us. We went to the beach in NJ.
This year he has a job so will most likely not be going with us if we go in the summer months or wait until fall. He'll also be starting college in September!
My other son is off for the summer from his job, so he could go with us during those months, but not in October. He works for a school that does not give the kids the Friday before Columbus day off - last year it was not an issue because he just started and they understood that he needed that day off for plans already made. This year I am not so sure they will give him that day off.
On the plus side, if we do not take them with us we will be able to get a regular motel room efficiency and not rent a condo. Much cheaper! Not as nice, but cheaper.
Growing up sucks sometimes I guess!

 

[mtblujeans]

Yeah, it does!

We're in the same boat....wanted to take our college boys and one girlfriend to WDW in May for Starwars Weekends and there is only one week that 1 son + girlfriend can go and that will be the first week of summer session for other son. (He wants to graduate early)

Even with both kids in college, we can't get used to traveling without them! Especially to WDW...and the girlfriend has never been there. ARG! We just can't work around their schedules any more!

 

[mrsklamc]

What kind of job does your son have? I would think most places that employ high schoolers would be open to and used to having them take time off for family vacation.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

This is going to be a tough summer for my boys. I was just looking over vacation options. Last year we went away for a long weekend over Columbus day so that my son that is in high school could go with us. We went to the beach in NJ.
This year he has a job so will most likely not be going with us if we go in the summer months or wait until fall. He'll also be starting college in September!
My other son is off for the summer from his job, so he could go with us during those months, but not in October. He works for a school that does not give the kids the Friday before Columbus day off - last year it was not an issue because he just started and they understood that he needed that day off for plans already made. This year I am not so sure they will give him that day off.
On the plus side, if we do not take them with us we will be able to get a regular motel room efficiency and not rent a condo. Much cheaper! Not as nice, but cheaper.
Growing up sucks sometimes I guess!

I've been in full panic mode myself since realizing that there will come a time very soon that my my now HS Freshman won't be able to vacation with us (and her siblings will soon follow thereafter). We've been planning all sorts of long weekends and have a bucket list of things we want to do/places we want to visit before she starts college.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I do solo trips to Disney and have had a great time. The kids and I have taken several trips to different places without my husband and loved it.

I don't think it will bug me when the kids can't go since I'm used to traveling without family members and it's a great sign that the kids are growing up.
My problem is going to be when they aren't home on the normal day to day stuff. I will miss the kids then.

 

[Katy Belle]

My oldest is a sophmore in HS. This spring break he will go to Orlando with the band, while we take our other 2 to Dallas. It makes me sad

All 5 of us are going to CA in the summer, so that will be good. But I do feel like the family vacation is coming to an end

 

[ceecee]

I've been in full panic mode myself since realizing that there will come a time very soon that my my now HS Freshman won't be able to vacation with us (and her siblings will soon follow thereafter). We've been planning all sorts of long weekends and have a bucket list of things we want to do/places we want to visit before she starts college.

We realized this as well. We now plan for two vacations a year!

 

[tlh0726]

Yep it sucks. Suddenly you realize that it will never be the same.

 

[merekc]

If it makes you all feel better, just because they grow up doesn't mean you can't/won't still be able to vacation together if everyone wants.

My family all still vacations together almost every year. Parents, siblings, spouses and grandkids. There aren't a ton of us, but enough that it does take a little work to make all the schedules work out, but most years we've been able to do it.

There were a few years in college when whoever was in college had to miss out, but once we settled into adult life it has worked out well.

And the best part is we are all still speaking to each other when we get back.

 

[shelwoj]

Yes, we realized this a few years ago. Our boys are five years apart so working with schedules have been very hard.

This trip to WDW we got lucky. Youngest is going with the band so we tagged on and extended the trip. Oldest took time off from work to join us. But we figure with youngest going to college in the fall it will probably be our last full family vacation.

Now we try to enjoy any time together as a full family.

 

[minniebeth]

They older they get, the harder it gets...for sure!
I have a sophomore in HS and an 8th grader who will be going into HS next year (and DD8) and find that the windows of vacationing together are getting smaller and smaller. We do take a week to vacation together in the summer no matter what, but other little trips that may come up, we have already had to split up several times. It IS sad, but we have also made some nice memories together this way too.

We go on a trip each summer with my DH's company and my DS was not able to make it the first few years. We called him our "stealth" DS and until everyone actually met him, they called him the "myth", lol.

 

[kacaju]

((HUGS)) This is exactly why we are doing Universal this summer. My girls love the Harry Potter books and movies and all saw the lastest HP movie a few times each. Our oldest is a Junior in HS right now. I have no idea what may be in store for us next year so I wanted to get them all there while we still can.
As it was it was very hard to pinpoint a free week for the 5 of us!!

 

[mafibisha]

If it makes you all feel better, just because they grow up doesn't mean you can't/won't still be able to vacation together if everyone wants.

My family all still vacations together almost every year. Parents, siblings, spouses and grandkids. There aren't a ton of us, but enough that it does take a little work to make all the schedules work out, but most years we've been able to do it.

There were a few years in college when whoever was in college had to miss out, but once we settled into adult life it has worked out well.

And the best part is we are all still speaking to each other when we get back.

ITA with this!

We still travel with my parents, sometimes DH's parents, and all the sibs and cousins. Lots of planning but worth it!

My siblings have older kids (young adults) and they too still travel together every year for spring break, and most summer vacations, too. For spring break the college kids are usually with the family for at least half of it, even if they have to fly back earlier.

Like anything worthwhile, it takes a little more planning but hopefully it'll continue.

But yeah, nothing stays the same and it does make me sad, too.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

It does get harder! I am trying to stay as flexible as possible to make it so everyone can go for at least part of each trip. DS has met us half way through a vacation. DH has flown home early. But if we even get 2 or 3 days all together I am a happy camper!

We are another family that travels with extended family. Not every year but we try a trip every few years. The kids look forward to the time with the cousins and grandparents and so they will try very hard to manage a few days all there together. But sometimes it is like planning the impossible for my sister and I! I hope we will still be planning trips together when we are the grandparents!