Getting Grownup Time During Family Road Trips

In the mind’s eye, a family vacation is an idyllic adventure to help parents and their children bond and create memories to last a lifetime. While this is certainly true, after 10 hours of “Are we there yet” and a few days of “What are we going to do next,” parents tend to need a little break. This leads to the inevitable question: Is it possible to get a little grownup time while on a family road trip?

The answer is yes, of course, but it is important to plan ahead for this eventuality. Leaving children alone in a hotel room is most certainly not the way to go.

So, how can the grownups get a break to recoup their sanity? These tips can make it possible and safe, too:

• Rent a suite of rooms – Rather than spend an entire trip in a tiny room without everyone crammed in, splurge a night or two for a full suite. This will enable the kids to have their own space while the adults retreat for a few hours of peace.
• Look into supervised activities – Some hotels offer babysitting services and supervised activities for children so their parents can enjoy a dinner out or a show.
• Rely on relatives – If your family vacation will involve a stop to visit relatives, rope them into sitting while you enjoy a night on the town.

Just a few hours away for grownup time can help you rest and recharge for the remainder of your trip and the ride home.