Vacationing with Children
It feels so crazy to me that I have to begin planning vacations around a school schedule. Once I decide to actually start teaching (someone please light a fire under my rear), then this will be even more important. For now, I just have to get used to the fact that I cannot just pull my daughter out of school for a week because I feel like seeing the Grand Canyon.
Everything involves planning now. Back when I was single gal,…wait I AM a single gal now. OK, back when I was single and childless, I would often pack a carry-on, buy last minute plane tickets, and join friends in New York to see a play at the drop of a hat. If I felt like driving to Key West, I tossed some makeup and a change of clothes in a tote bag and started driving.
Now, not only do I have to plan around Gigi’s school schedule, I have to make sure the trip will not be too long for her to handle, that there are snacks and water available, remember that I cannot drive three days straight with a 5-year-old in the car, and ponder buying one of those luggage containers for my van racks. Better yet, I just bit the bullet and buy two seats on a plane, so my daughter won’t have to sit in a car for 15 hours at a stretch at all.
And, because traveling with a little one can be taxing, the only thing I am actually planning to do this summer with her is go see my dad at his house on the Shenandoah River. Now that Gigi is five, we will probably also take the MARC train into DC and walk around some of the Smithsonian museums. Unfortunately, the American History Museum is called for renovations until this fall and I really think that would be one of the museums Gigi would like best. They have a fabulous display of first ladies dresses, an old-time store, the old post office, just tons of stuff for kids to see. I do think she will enjoy natural History, too, so that will have to be part of the plan.
I grew up just outside of Washington, DC so we went to the Smithsonian all the time. I know most of the buildings like the back of my hand. I wish that were something I could give Gigi.
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