|
Family vacation dilemma
Straight to the point: 4 weeks ago we found out we are having another baby (yay!), that will be child #6. We had been saving a little to go on a couple's vacation (possibly a cruise) besides doing our annual family vacation (usually 4-5 days to a nearby beach) A very interesting opportunity presented itself, to take the whole family to Bermuda for 2 weeks. My best friend lives there and she finally has a place big enough to accommodate all of us. The trip would cost a little more than we had allocated for both trips (which would just be food and airfare, the rest is covered and we are very low maintenance, as in, we don't need fancy dinners or stuff to keep ourselves entertained) , but I think it would also be the vacation of a lifetime!!! for both the kids and us, the parents. I am torn and can't decide, part of me thinks we should jump on the opportunity, because once the new baby comes, things are gonna get A LOT more complicated. On the other side, I feel we would be doing something irresponsible. We have a small savings account, and we are comfortable financially, after surviving the recession, we came back stronger, thriftier and our priorities are now where they are suppossed to be. We've grown up a lot and learned from past mistakes.
Any advice/opinions ??
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Personal Finance?
That is a tough one so I think you'll need to come up with a list of pros and cons. Not the cons as much as which has more positive points than the other scenerio.
Scenerio #1 is good because it is a wonderful thing to have couple time. While you may find time for each other at home with 5 kids, it's not the same as being away from home together without kids. For one thing, you are so carefree together that you can be spontaneous. As for a beach vacation for the kids, i remember all the family times, traditions or vacations as special times. What is special for children is the making of memories, family traditions that are unique for your family. For example we had a tradition of taking our 3 girls to a Christmas tree farm from infant-hood on. It was what they came to expect. We also had a tradition to get one ornament for each child to represent each Christmas. We picked them out for babies first Christmas and maybe a second Christmas but from then on, it was their choice. I remember middle daughter choosing a large purple ball coated in glitter at 2 1/2. We made outings to pumpkin farms too. Now that they're all grown, they carry on those traditions and make their husbands, boyfriends do it with them. Since you said you don't need to be entertained, for couple vacation, the cruise would be lower on the list than another only because most the time is spent on the boat between whatever ports it pulls in to. The amount of time for sightseeing at ports may not be enough. The boat time is nothing but one entertainment planned after another.
The kids ages might determine if any could really appreciate Bermuda. If you have enough of them who are lets say ages 8-9-10 and up, they could have enough memories of it that it would be the opportunity of a lifetime. At the age of 5 my parents took a trip to Germany where they had relatives. I do recall some specific points like how dark the Black forest is, how many nude or creative water fountains there were but not much else remains in my memorys.
The obvious down point to Bermuda is spending more money. I don't know how much that would set you back or if you would have no emergency money left in case lets say the car breaks down and needs repairs soon after you are back. If you were to do a couple only vacation, might you choose some exotic location like Bermuda? If so, and the whole family can enjoy, then it might be a good idea to go to Bermuda after all. I am sure your friend wouldn't mind looking after the kids one whole day so you can take off and be gone the whole day, just the two of you, or maybe add on an evening where the kids are watching a movie with the friend while you go out to somewhere the locals go, low cost but good and maybe find some free entertainment. Your friend may have ideas since living there, and can put together a list of low cost things to do for just the two of you. If you are considering this, ask if she'd be willing to help you out this way.
So those are some things to think about. The decision is still up to you and hubby
]
If you have the money and you are in a good financial state, then go for it. It's a great opportunity.
When I was younger, my family jumped at the opportunity to take me and my brother around the world. We had family in plenty different countries and it was a great experience.
As long as you don't go overboard on spending and still have money to keep yourselves on track when you get back, then you should be fine.
This is a great opportunity. I'd jump on it if you can.
]
Its a nice trip for you and your family... and youre right once that baby comes it will get a lot harder. This may be the last time you have an oppertunity in a while. Treat yourself and your kids to something new and exciting. You deserve it... It can be your little "congrats gift" to yourself for your amazing pregnancy. You sound like you already have you have the trip all put together... Get out there mommy!! Have a great time.. Good luck with the pregnancy and congratulations... also on a random side note... if you havent already, try out WWW.BABYCENTER.COM they also have a mobile app and its free... this site is awesome, it shows you pictures of what your baby looks like and how he or she is growing week to week there are wonderful videos on there as well... it also has things for children who are already born... its a fun site for parents especially the excited and anxious mommy :) good luck and best wishes
Stephie
]
More Questions: |