You have $5000 and you can either spend it taking your kids to Disney for a week...
OR
You can take yourself on a 3 week trip to the islands or similar escape.
This seems like an easy question, no matter the answer. For those without kids, this may be the reason they chose not to procreate and those who've reached the golden age of grandparenting may be pondering a similar choice.
For those of us with kids, this struggle is ongoing.
We want to be viewed as our kids' hero. We want to give them the best of us, knowing that doing so is going to deplete us. We need to recharge so we can continue. We want to make memories that will last even if we don't. Living a long life filled with great memories is the goal. Living a long life as a selfish curmudgeon versus a shorter, potentially more stressful life building memories is the decision.
Cliche as it may sound, the amount of time in your life, to me, isn't as important as the amount of life in the time.
So last question...anybody have $10,000 to give me?
Oh, and four weeks of vacation?
These are all things we don't think about when we are 18 and plan to live forever. This is linked up to Dude Write 18 where the Dudes write, read, and likely scratch. Check us out.
I guess when you're a parent the above choice is never really a choice, is it? :) Enjoy Disneyland, at least they should have some cool rides, if you're into that!
ReplyDeleteWe had this problem recently----It was, "hey, wanna go to Hawaii? Or, we can go, then take you somewhere else later". Fortunately for us, our kids are illogical and strange---the teen was worried about Tsunami victims washing up-or at least, parts of them-and the little one is freaked out by volcanoes.
ReplyDeleteSo, we are ditching them, and will go somewhere they want, later. MUCH later ;)
It's so funny that you thought that A. This was about me? B. I have $5000.
ReplyDeleteThe age gap I have makes Disney almost impossible.
Volcanoes and Tsunami victims...oh my!
ReplyDeleteHa, really? My bad, guess the ending where you were asking for money was a red herring ;)
ReplyDeleteWhen my kids were aged 10 and 6 I did opt for the Disney option. Glad we did - not only enduring memories for them but for me as well - I still tingle when I think about walking down main street at the Magic Kingdom (I'm a kid at heart!).
ReplyDeleteNow my "kids" are 22 and 18 so any pots of money will now be definitely spent on luxury cruises for me and Mrs Jones.
I might have ten thousand dollars for you. When I'm done on my computer I'll go downstairs and count the change under the couch cushions. There's a butt load of money there.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who wishes she had kids, this one is a no-brainer. Family trip for sure. But, as a former nanny, I can appreciate parents yearning for rejuvenation. Kids usually win out, though, I think :)
ReplyDeleteI am in the position now where I can say, I have already been on vacation trips with the kids, they are on their on, but I will gladly take the Grandbabies, because I know the kids would let me.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I never did have kids. Kind of a long story there, but I've been ok with that a long time now. I certainly have to say that I wish there would have been more trips for my family, as a kid. I only remember going camping. No fancy trips to places that sell Mai Tais and never have been to Disneyland either. Still, I can imagine your dilemma The beach hammock really IS appealing :D
ReplyDeleteThe choice is obvious. Dump the kids on a relative and go to Disneyland without them!
ReplyDeleteCombine the two...do a Disney cruise. You spend time with your kids but then you also get to, um, dump them off to the paid kid's cruise directors during the day and enjoy the quality adult time you want....
ReplyDeleteI would take the holiday with the kids but now my girls are all grown I would take a nice relaxing cruise the girls and grandkids could come but I wouldn't be the one watching the grandkids although on a cruise I would be worried that my grandson Leo would fall overboard since he is a climber............lol so let me think now maybe a family trip to Disney would be for me yes I do love my family
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't have any children, but my family took me to Disney World when I was a child and I have many deep rooted memories of fun and excitement. Then again, if I never went to Disney World, my life wouldn't be any different. So... enjoy the Bahamas!
ReplyDeleteI thought you were saying this because you've saved up enough money for a trip and were looking for moral guidance. It depends on how old the kids are...
ReplyDeleteI'll go with option B! This summer we already took the kids to Sea World AND Six Flags, so beach here I come! :)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is now 16, but just said today, "I wish I could go to Disneyland" after seeing a commercial for it on TV. I would probably go for that trip. I would love the tropical trip, but for the next few years, the big trips are centered around the kid while I still can.
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