Vacations?

[ChristianMama84]

I'm curious, how often do you take your family on trips? Are they short trips, long trips, both? I'm just curious, cause hubby and I really want to do a lot of family trips and I'm wondering how easy it is with a large family. I, unfortunately, was raised an only child so I have no clue. lol

 

[sparassidae]

SORRY THIS GOT LONG

Well our holidays (trips/vacations etc) are dependant on DHs annual leave from work (here in Australia you're allowed 4 weeks) and our finances (whether we go away or just have an 'at home' holiday). Our children have never constrained us from going away if those two things were in favour. Of course, many children can cause financial issues

We go camping primarily, so it is a lot of stuff to pack and take, but is quite cheap. Occasionally we might do 1 or 2 nights in a motel, but it costs us a fortune with our family.

In his current job DH has to take most of his leave (3 weeks) over the Christmas/New Year period- summer over here. That is okay, but leaves only 1 week for the rest of the year.

At the moment we alternate- 1 year we will go away for a long (at least 2 weeks) holiday in summer; and stay at home for the 1 week in winter. That's what we are doing this year.

The next year we will go away for 1 week in winter, and stay at home for the summer break, or have 1 or 2 nights away in a motel. We did that last year.

We don't usually go away for long weekends (3 days) because that means being really organised to get away early Saturday (I lead kids club on Friday nights), you can't go really far because of a shorter time (don't want to spend a whole day driving for eg), everyone else in Sydney who likes camping will also be going to the same few close places (I hate crowded campsites), and then you get home and have to get everything cleaned up and packed away.

Not exactly restful, plus we don't like missing church (or DH may be preaching, leading the service etc).

Having more children does mean you have more to pack, but it's also more fun when you get there.


In regards to the length of time spent travelling (reread your post, not sure if this is what you meant)- More children makes it easier to go longer distances in the car. They can keep each other amused, pass drinks and snacks to other children etc. That's if it's going well. If they are arguing then it will be a nightmare regardless of whether you've got 2 or more children.

We don't fly for holidays because it would cost way too much for our family (although apparently flights are cheaper over there). Also you can't take all your camping gear lol.

Hope this helps

 

[ChristianMama84]

Cool! Thank you soo much!! I'm mainly thinking about Disney World cause Epcot is extremely educational, but so much fun thye kids wouldn't realize it. Oh yeah, and Animal Kingdom.

 

[chrislife]

The hard part of trips for us is the gas money. As far as traveling, I've found it works much better for us if we do our driving at night, when the kids are asleep.

 

[ChristianMama84]

The hard part of trips for us is the gas money

I can definately understand this!

 

[jgonz]

I've learned over the years that you prioritize for the things that are the Most Important to you... So start a budget that includes putting money aside weekly/monthly for regular vacations if that's what's important to you/your family.

There are 10 of us, but my oldest has opted out of going with us places the last couple of years (she's 24.5 now). My van only seats 8, so my oldest DS (23) takes his car also. We just came back from vacation yesterday~ to Durango, CO. Beautiful!!!!! This vacation was a blessing from my parents though, so we did a lot of things we don't normally do while away. (My parents' 50th wedding anniversary is this year, so they wanted to have a big family reunion somewhere Different than their house, like usual. They picked Durango and paid for pretty much Everything. River rafting, steam engine train trip, eating out, our lodgings (KOA Kampground, Kamping Kabins), everything.)

Even when it's a vacation/trip we do ourselves, we stay at KOA Kampgrounds, in 1 or 2 of their Kamping Kabins (depending on the size of the cabin, and how lenient that particular KOA is on how many people are in the cabin. )

 

[annaapple]

We break the journey up into smaller chunks, making getting to our destination part of the holiday.

That seems to work so far. We have never flown anywhere with the kids (too expensive) plus we're quite happy to go to nearby countries, or just to the coast for a few days. Kids love being outdoors.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

We have one overseas holiday a year, where we usually rent a villa/condo in a resort. This year we flew and hired a car, but usually we put the roofbox on the car and drive.

We tend to go away for around 2 weeks, though next year, I'd like to go for 3 weeks and do a multi country thing.

 

[ChristianMama84]

Awesome!! Yeah, hubby and I are looking at buying a bus and converting it into an RV to make trips more pleasant once we have a bunch of kids.

 

[Leanna]

I had a similar question but mine was about Hotel Rooms .... after 3 kids you have to get 2 hotel rooms huh.... SO EXPENSIVE.... unless you camp. Do you camp much or get two hotel rooms or what?

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I had a similar question but mine was about Hotel Rooms .... after 3 kids you have to get 2 hotel rooms huh.... SO EXPENSIVE.... unless you camp. Do you camp much or get two hotel rooms or what?

You can get family rooms in many hotels/motels. We were in one this summer (just the one night), and it had four double beds. It only cost about $100.

Normally, we would get two interconnecting rooms. I don't think they are expensive in the US.