Vacationing with extended family
While I do not typically consider visiting family a real vacation, going on vacation with some extended family can have many advantages. Our vacations typically only include ourselves and our children, but over the past last year or so, we have taken a couple of vacations with some extended family and I have changed my mind about not liking to spend my husband and our vacation time with others. I thought it would be interesting to look at the pros and cons of going on vacation with other members of your family.
Pros:
- budget: sharing the cost of the rent and the food might allow you to afford a vacation you would normally not be able to afford
- different people bring different talents to the plate: entertaining children, cooking new foods, helping with clean up
- you get to learn more about your family and can develop stronger relationships
- children have playmates other than siblings
- you may enjoy a spur of the moment date with your spouse
- you may create wonderful memories with these family members
- you might explore new places that you wouldn’t have thought of on your own
- you have different people to share different experiences with
Cons:
- less privacy and time with your spouse
- conflicts and disagreements may occur with close proximity for an extended period of time
- you may decide you would rather not spend that much time with a particular family member
Things to take into consideration:
- who are you going with: does everyone get along and do you enjoying spending extended time with them? If you are unsure, start with an extended weekend vs a weeklong vacation.
- where are you going: is your destination a relaxing area which will promote contentment in everyone and help grow relationships? For example, vacationing at the beach or in the mountains is more conducive to people getting along then traveling abroad and staying in close quarters (quite a few years back we traveled to Italy with my side of the family and while I love everyone dearly, at the end of the trip and staying in a small apartment I was very ready to say goodbye!).
- does everyone pitch in in some manner: cooking, cleaning helping each other with children… If that is not the case, resentment will build and can harm relationships.
- do not feel obligated: you will not really enjoy the vacation if you feel obligated to go on vacation with someone. You have worked hard for your vacation time and it should be enjoyed!
In conclusion, I think vacationing with family can be a great and rewarding experience.
A bientôt!
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10 Comments
Jennifer
I don’t think I’d go on vacation with extended family anymore, except maybe one cousin and that’s it.
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
mimifce
I think it is important to figure out who you would go with. I wouldn’t do it with everyone. My vacation time is important to me and I value it to much to not enjoy it so knowing who I am willing to do it with is key!
jodie filogomo
It can be hard if you vacation differently. We usually go by ourselves, but will be going with some friends next month….we aren’t sure how it will go!!
OXOX
Jodie
mimifce
I think it depends who you go with. We’ve gone to the beach with two different sets of friends and it went well each time because we balanced the time we spent together (meals and some outings) with times where we each did our thing.
Kathrine Eldridge
I love traveling with my extended family! These are great tips. The key is keeping the harmony when things get crazy. 🙂
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
mimifce
I think keeping a balance of vacations by ourselves and with family is important. I value special times with my family and don’t always want to share =)
Mother of 3
My mother in law lost her husband when my oldest son was in kindergarten and we took her on vacation with us to help out and to keep her busy and occupied to help her get beyond her grief… she has since come on every vacation with us and we love it! When the kids were little she’d stay with them at naptime and we’d get a mini honeymoon feeling in the afternoons wandering around by ourselves and our kids have grown so close to their grandmother sharing so many wonderful memories together.
mimifce
I think it works well depending on the relationships you have. The boys are really enjoying creating memories with their cousins and I have some fun times with my sisters in law.
Mica
I think it would be fun to go with some extended family, and I know I’d appreciate the help with the toddlers, haha! I do treasure the rare moments we get together as a family though 🙂
Hope that you are having a wonderful weekend 🙂
Thanks for the shout out on Instagram too, can’t believe I wasn’t following you!
http://awayfromtheblue.blogspot.com
mimifce
Not a problem! I think it is finding a balance with how you take your vacation that makes it work. My hubby works out of town during the week so I can get a little selfish with how we spend time with family. So our main vacation is by ourselves and then I am ok with taking another with family. It is nice that the cousins entertain each other and that my sisters in law keep an eye on the littlest for me to have a moment to myself or with my husband. It is all about the balance!