When planning our perfect family vacation we take a lot of things into consideration. Which restaurant will the kids eat from the menu? Which excursions will everyone enjoy? How much travel time is there? Is there downtime for naps?
And how can we get in some adult time?
Yes, that's right. We're looking for ways to get away from our family getaway.
It's important to prioritize your partner to cultivate and maintain a good marriage every day -- and even a trip with the kids along is no exception.
Tana DeSouza, a marriage and family therapist in South Pasadena, Calif., told me why taking time out to make that connection is so important.
"The very best memories we can give our kids is them seeing, and knowing, their parents have a happy and loving marriage," she says. "They look to you as an example."
So we asked parents how they carved out us-time on a family trip. Here are five ways they made time for a date on a family vacation:
1. They brought the grandparents
Expanding your family vacation to include members of your extended family can have added benefits. Not only do you and the kids get to make memories with your loved ones, having grandma or grandpa along is the perfect opportunity for you and your partner to sneak away for the evening. Sarah and Matt Edgington of Monrovia, Calif., often travel with the in-laws. On a recent trip to the northern coast of California, this meant the two of them were able to enjoy an adult dinner out while the kids were playing games and munching chicken nuggets with Mimi and Pop-Pop.
2. They took advantage of the kids club
Many hotels and cruise ships offer on-site childcare -- often called the kids club -- to encourage parents to enjoy some alone time during their stay. Orange County, California, teachers Valerie and John Cahill happily checked their girls into "Auntie's Beach Shack" at the popular Auliani Hotel in Hawaii so they could slip away for lunch while the kids enjoyed some of the club activities.
3. They asked the hotel for help
Not every place has a kids club, but those that don't often have connections with childcare professionals that can come to your room. Maura Lemon, a senior executive search consultant for the Lucas Group, has relied on the services of Westside Nannies, a company that partners with many of the major chains of hotels in Los Angeles. She said the nannies arrive in uniform, equipped with a bag full of age-appropriate activities, a la Mary Poppins.
4. They found local sitter services
There are so many online resources dedicated to babysitting services. Both national and local agencies will often allow you to obtain background info, review bios of potential sitters, and even do phone interviews (all before you even arrive at your vacation destination). Erin Hurley, the Macaroni Kid publisher for Long Beach, Calif., was able to turn her husband's work trip into a family vacation and found time for a fancy dinner with just the two of them using Urban Sitter.
5. They checked the local Macaroni Kid
If there's a Macaroni Kid site in the town you're visiting, check to see if there are any parents night out programs listed during your stay. These are often offered by area churches, organizations, or businesses and, for a small fee, the kids can play while you enjoy your own child-free time. Our kids have enjoyed parents night out at a gymnastics studio and at a preschool. As an added bonus, a lot of times these programs include dinner with the fee. Find a Macaroni Kid edition near your destination.
With a little planning and forethought, you can find time on your family getaway for just the two of you.
