4 Ways Parents Can Balance Couple Time with Family Time on Vacay | Motherhood Unplugged

Traveling with your family is always fun! There is nothing like witnessing your child running into the ocean with excitement for the first time, teaching them to dive to the bottom of the pool, snorkeling the coral reef with your toddlers or even tasting new foods in another country but it is also equally fun + important to get quality time with yourself and spouse during those trips. Read on to learn how we carve out quality time for ourselves and each other while on vacay with kids in tow.

1. Spend time being active

I try to bring along my gym gear when traveling so I have zero excuses not to work out. Exercising is a great way to spend time alone whether it be lifting in the hotel gym, running along the shore or taking a yoga class offered. If you enjoy exercising with your partner, that's an even better way to spend quality time together.

2. Travel with Friends/Family + share the babysitting

If you manage to get a group trip together sharing the babysitting amongst the group is a win for everyone. You can take turns watching the kids so that everyone can enjoy an adult excursion, date night or simply alone time for a coffee. Traveling with like minded people can save you some dinero on paying for a sitter.

3. Send them to the Kids Club

If you are traveling as a family sending the kids to the Kids Club is a great option. We've been letting Phoenix go to the kids club on our last couple of trips per his request. I think it's also a good practice for him and his brother to get alone time away from each other, it lessens the spats and toddler disagreements. The Kids Club is often included when at an all inclusive hotel. You also have the option of hiring a babysitter, which can be really reasonable. In Mexico the rate was $20/hr for two kids, that's a steal! We also like to let the kids play at the restaurant lounge while we load up the plates and eat in peace then we get them for the last 30 minutes so we can eat as a family. This way they get the wiggles out and are actually hungry + want to eat when it's time to instead of playing with their food.

4. Marriage minutes

Take what you can get. When the kids are bummed out from spending all day on the beach and fall fast asleep, take a few marriage minutes and sneak in some quality time while you can. This can be done by taking advantage of that fabulous Jacuzzi in your room, showering together, ordering up a bottle of wine, or doing the 'adult' dance lol You know what I mean :)

Traveling with kids can be a bit less stressful when incorporating some quality time for yourself + spouse during each trip. How do you manage to keep your sanity and love alive while traveling with kids? Share with us, we'd love to know.

Happy Traveling!

#travel