I post this every year and—like clockwork—here we are again. So get out there and go make those kids happy!
Growing up, Spring Break wasn’t exactly something to look forward to. It mostly meant staying home while our parents worked all day. Occasionally we could convince them to stock up on extra Twinkies and Doritos as a “Spring Break treat.” MTV had just launched, and I loved having hours to watch it uninterrupted.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that many of our friends were apparently off in the Bahamas or Aspen.
The following week at school, some kids would show up with tan lines to die for while others looked like raccoons from ski goggle windburn. I definitely didn’t want the raccoon look. Luckily I tanned easily (with generous help from baby oil), so after one weekend laying out on the roof I could manage a respectable set of tan lines myself.
Fast forward to freshman year of college. The Spring Break planning started basically the minute we returned from Winter Break. Cabo, Aspen, and Telluride were the hot debates.
Since I had never been to any of those places, I mostly sat back and listened while everyone else weighed in. I only needed two pieces of information:
- How much money did I need to make before the trip?
- How many days off work did I need to request?
This was also when I discovered the beauty of a tax refund. If I filed early enough, a few hundred dollars would show up just in time to fund Spring Break. Suddenly I understood why everyone loved it so much.
Then came parenthood.
A family trip quickly becomes something better described as Spring Broke.
Want to go skiing? That will run you a minimum of about $10,000. Prefer the beach? Roughly the same. Maybe a little less since beach clothes are cheaper than ski gear.
And those dreamy cocktails by the pool or après-ski? Plan on about $25 each.
The other thing Spring Break is not—when you have kids under 15— a break. Let’s be honest. It’s work. Not your normal desk job, but more like being a travel agent, professional luggage packer, concierge, sunscreen police, and tour guide all rolled into one person.
Still, even though it sometimes feels more like Spring Broke and Spring Work Your A** Off, it’s worth it. Time together as a family and the memories you make are hard to beat.
So save up, rest up, and go get ’em.
P.S. Apparently you’re also supposed to look good in a swimsuit while doing all of this.
XX,
MG