I remember constantly driving down with my family to Miami from Orlando, FL as a little girl. My brother and I always looked forward to road trip weekends. We explored many other surrounding cities as well as states but Miami was our go-to spot since we have family and friends there.
As I look back on my childhood the moments I remember the most are the simplest ones. Spending about four hours in the car just conversing with my parents and sibling, singing, playing car games, and just embracing the silence or chaos is still something that brings a big smile to my face.
Yet I still put so much pressure on myself, now that I’m a parent, to give my children the world. By giving I mean showing them the world. Whenever I get caught up in how much I think I’m limiting them from exploring I look back on what I treasure the most from my childhood…the simple things. Then it becomes a bit easier to trust that I’m already doing my best while I strive to be better with each day that goes by.
I figured that I should take a page from my parents book and treat my children to a nearby getaway. So just a couple of weeks ago, we drove to Marco Island. Between the drive and the stay, the kids had the opportunity to discover a different part of what the Sunshine state has to offer over on the West coast. Getaways don’t have to be far nor expense. All it takes is research, saving, and planning. While adventures like this are rare in a moms life it’s definitely doable. I’m sharing my true and tried tips here so that you can plan your next staycation with your family.
-Choose a location in a city near you. Don’t focus only on the known or popular spots. Check the reviews that may help you narrow down your options.
-Compare prices between an Airbnb, hotel, and resort. (Sometimes it’s worth paying a bit more for places that include a variety of amenities and complimentary breakfast)
-Travel before or after hot season dates. Avoiding holiday weekends can help save you time and money. The roads and area in general is likely to be less congested and the rates will be less.
-Search for deals on sites such as Groupon. Even if you don’t find a coupon for the place you plan to stay you can still score a deal for food and of entertainment in that area.
-Call the place you plan to stay in beforehand to ask if they have any special promotions or offers available that may not be featured on their website.
-Pack snacks for the road to avoid frequent stops along the way. Save your money for a special lunch or dinner. (This is a great time to redeem those Groupon offers for food!)
One thing I’ve learned in my ten years of motherhood so far, although it took a long time to realize it, is that children don’t need or even want much to be happy. We get caught up thinking things like toys will bring them joy but eventually they outgrow those things. It’s the quality time that shapes them and creates memories to last them a lifetime.
So the next time you feel like the entire family needs to disconnect to recharge treat yourself and your loved ones to a local getaway. Taking a break (even if it’s just 24-48 hours) from having to make the bed, cooking meals, and cleaning or organizing is just what I needed. It felt so nice to lounge poolside while my kids splashed in the water with big smiles and loud giggles.
Florida has so much to offer! Get in the car and explore. If staying the night isn’t something you want or can’t do then plan to wake up early to enjoy a day trip. It’s really not about the destination but the people you share the journey with. The next time you prepare to go out with your kids keep in mind that it’s often the simple moments that are the most special.
Where is your favorite Florida getaway spot?
