5 Reasons to Go On a Mommy & Me Trip

Even before I was technically financially stable, I invested in vacations with my daughter because I saw an extreme value in them. In earlier years, I would drive to Gulf Shores or Houston for the weekend and vibe out with her and in more recent years, we’ve been to Miami, Denver, and Chicago. The majority of these vacations include just her and I which can be scary to some; however, as long as you make logical decisions such as not going out too much when the sun is down in unfamiliar areas, a vacay with your kid will benefit the both of you. These vacations are also attainable on any budget with a little sacrifice (so tell that Starbucks or expensive salad goodbye). If my little spill is not convincing enough below are five reasons why you should go on a mommy and me vacation sooner rather than later.

Reason #1

You and your kid(s) need a mental break from the constant pressures of life. Going on a vacation enables you to just focus on having fun with your kid and allows your kid to focus on simply being a child (no chores or homework included). As adults we can sometimes forget that our kids have expectations imposed on them rather its by us, their schools, society, or simply themselves so an opportunity to simply exist and be carefree for a couple days gives them the space that they need to reset (and us too).

Reason #2

Vacations give kids a sneak peek into the lives of others and exposure to a world that is different from what they see on a daily basis in their neighborhoods. It gives kids a wider view of the world around them which can impact their views on their lives and gives them some inspiration to dream big about their potential careers and their grown up lives. This also effects kids views on wealth and race which can easily become a dialogue and an observation while on vacation.

Reason #3

Uninterrupted time with your child helps you to build more concrete relationships with them and gives you the opportunity to learn more about them. Slowing down your life with a vacay, helps you to enjoy the moment rather than simply sticking to your typical daily schedule which may only allow for a couple hours with your kid(s). When planning the vacation, it is essential to include your kid so they can select activities that they want to do rather than you just telling them what they’re going to do. This may mean fewer fancy restaurants and more time at the arcade (remember, it is a trip for BOTH of you).

Reason #4

The memories!!! These mommy and me trips assist you in creating memories with your kid that they can reflect on for the rest of their lives. You’ll beam with joy when your child brings up the one time you all played with snow in Denver or when they went on a Dolphin tour in Gulf Shores. Your child’s memories of your time together will expand beyond you helping them with homework or cooking dinner (which if we are being honest, it isn’t necessarily memorable).

Reason #5

You and your kid deserve something just for the both of you. Our kids share our time with our careers, our friends, and our lovers among other things so carving out time for just you all centers the attention on your kid and lessens distractions for you which leads into us being better and more knowledgeable parents. It also enables us to be the fun parents that we are without a limit on our time availability.

Rather you are going on a drive to the local beach, planning a stay-cation in your town, or something more ambitious like an international trip keep in mind that the location is a minor focal point because spending time with your kid and having fun should be at the center of it. Our kids are not as shallow and Tic Toc focused as we think and spending some one on one time with them in a different environment can anchor us in curating experiences and spaces for us to be bomb parents.