Despite the title of my last post, my two week vacation wasn't exactly everything I imagined it would be. Why? Because about 80% of my waking time was still spent being a mom. Now, don't get me wrong. I love that I was able to spend oodles of time with little Cameron. But every day was a bit of a grind in making sure she was fed (still having some breastfeeding stresses) and napped and in a good mood. Have I mentioned lately I'm not cut out to be a stay at home mom?
I think part of the problem is that Cameron is still so young. At only 5 months and still nursing she is much more dependent on me than my husband. Is it sad that I'm already looking forward to our next long vacation next summer when she will be 14 months old and I can nudge DH out of bed to handle her and get some precious, precious sleep? Even when we were alone at the wedding I still had to get up around 6 AM to pump. Sigh.
The other big challenge to being a mom on vacation is that no longer can I be spontaneous. One day we went to a family friend's house and I was able to get Cameron to nap there so I got to spend more than 1-2 hours in a spot other than our house. Jumping in the boat to take a cruise? Not unless Cameron has just woken up from a nap and been fed. Otherwise I will just stress when she starts getting tired and fussing. I've discovered that her crying is like nails down a chalkboard. I'd rather be a bit more housebound than deal with that. Oh, you want to go shopping? Well, is it at a mall or some other location that accommodates a carriage and place to change her? No? Well, then it looks like I'm out.
So, please, please, please tell me that vacation gets easier as they get older!!
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5 comments:
I think it definitely has gotten easier as they have gotten older! It still not 100% vacation but now there is nothing special to pack, they eat people food, they can sleep anywhere, and can entertain themselves for long periods.
I would say age 2 is when we rounded the corner.
I definitely feel your pain. Our first vacation was at that same age and it was really tough, esp. because we were alone at a hotel. We did hire a babysitter during the day so we could relax while she fed them and while they napped but the rest of the time, we were all togther. And the pumping. Sigh.
I think our next trip (at 13 months, this Xmas) will be a lot better. No pumping, no bottles (I hope!) and lots and lots of other adults as we will be with DH's family.
Easier? Maybe different and lots of fun in many different ways. It also depends ALOT on the type of vacation you take. For example, take a vacation at my mom's house and it is ALL about stress and running about trying to make sure that her NOT childproofed house is not wrecked by TWO BOYS. But a vacation to Disney that is all about kids - fun, and tiring for other reasons. I would suggest finding alternatives when you are out. We have a changing area set up on the van (another reason I love my mini-van). So, we don't have to worry about that. I also nursed DS2 in public with a shawl, not a problem.
I'm headed on vaca with my 5 month old next week. Lets just say my hubs is looking forwaed to it more than I am. Basicly it's the same thing I do at home just in a new location.
Different as time goes on, you get into your groove more as a mother & your child is able to be more interactive. Caring for a baby is a lot of work, worthwhile, but draining sometimes. I joke that I need a vacation after a family vacation.
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