I have been blessed to be married to my husband for almost 10 years and every year, without exception, we have made it a priority to take an anniversary trip. There have only been two years when we didn’t travel due to having a newborn and COVID.
Other than that, whether it’s just for a day, one night away, or longer, we strive to travel as a couple at least once a year. We usually travel around our anniversary in March, but sometimes that’s not always the case. We travel when it works best for our schedule. The important thing is to have that time together away from the kids.
For us, this way of reconnecting has been a blessing because we are able to spend time with each other and talk about other things that are not the kids, such as our dreams, our goals, our jobs, and our concerns. We get to share and talk in a more relaxed way (not as part of our everyday routine). While we are traveling, we are able to break up the monotony and strengthen our bond, what brought us together in the first place.
Another reason why traveling as a couple is important is that when we come back, the kids see that we are refreshed and, in general, in a better mood to face the joys and challenges of being a parent. Once I am able to fill my cup, by pursuing a hobby with my spouse, having some downtime and just having some time to explore a new place or to relax by the mountains or the sea, I have an easier time filling my children’s cups.
There is a phrase that my husband says and I think it’s so very true. He says, “When you go on family vacations, it’s really a vacation for the children, not for the parents.”
I couldn’t agree with him more. When you take a family vacation, it’s fun to be with our children and see them enjoying themselves. And, as parents, we enjoy watching our children have a good time and making memories with them. BUT, it can be exhausting. We’re dealing with changes in routines, overtired children, going from place to place, eating out at restaurants, etc. So, while family vacations are great, we need to consider taking time for just our spouse and ourselves; to REALLY go on vacation.
Have you and your spouse taken a vacation by yourselves? What has your experience been like?
