I believe in the power of putting things out there into the Universe.
I believe setting goals helps them to become a reality.
I believe writing those goals down is the first step in making them happen.
And I believe if one more person posts a spring break picture of themselves in a tropical paradise, I am going to curl up in the fetal position in the corner of my office until the temperature here is above seventy degrees.
I may be exaggerating on that last one.
But I have serious spring break vacation envy.
Before I got married and had kids, I went to Puerto Rico every February.
EVERY SINGLE FEBRUARY.
I packed my bag with bikinis, hopped on a plane, and spent a week in heaven.
I love Puerto Rico. It’s an easy flight from New York, you can get on a plane in the morning and be on the beach by the early afternoon, it’s relatively inexpensive, and the weather is incredible.
It’s been 14 years since I went to Puerto Rico (or anywhere) on a winter or spring break vacation.
And I am done looking at other peoples’ vacation pictures.
I WANT MY OWN.
There is nothing quite like boarding a plane in the middle of winter or a particularly harsh spring where the temperatures fight to get out of the 30s and it has snowed multiple times, to exiting the plane to 80° weather.
I appreciate winter and there is nothing like the change of seasons, but boy do I miss that feeling of the heat on my face and the smell and feeling of a tropical climate when it is still cold up north.
So I am putting it out there.
About twenty years ago, my dad got my mom a pin for Mother’s Day or her birthday or something.
It was one of those big round pins that had a picture and a saying on it. They were pretty popular back in the day. Remember them? Those big round pins?
And there was a picture of an old, cranky, fed up woman on the pin, along with the words “No longer f*cking around.”
The fact that my dad gave that pin to my mom on Mother’s Day as a gift is beside the point.
(Note to all husbands: do not give your wife a pin for Mother’s Day that has a picture of a super cranky old lady on it).
Anyway, I am no longer f*cking around.
NEXT YEAR, IN THE SPRING OF 2019, I AM TAKING MY FAMILY ON A F$%!ING VACATION TO A TROPICAL PLACE.
Maybe it won’t be Puerto Rico.
But wherever it is, it’s going to be motherf*cking tropical.
I am done looking at other peoples’ pictures.
And my kids have never experienced a winter or spring vacation away from home.
Part of the reason we haven’t gone anywhere is I was paranoid (and convinced) we’d be on the plane that gets stranded on the runway for like four hours before take off, and the kids were young and not well seasoned travelers, and the thought of having seven out of control kids on a plane that wasn’t even moving terrified me.
The other reason — even if I got past that fear — is that we just have never been able to afford it.
But I’ve officially reached the breaking point, and I’m done missing spring and winter vacations.
I AM GIVING MY KIDS THAT EXPERIENCE.
In one year.
So that’s all.
Just putting it out there.
Because in one year as I step off the plane, into the sunshine with my kids, giving them an experience they will never forget, and beginning a yearly tradition for them because it’s not going to be a one-time thing, I’ll share a picture, along with the link to this blog post, and a caption that reads:
I DID IT. WE HAVE ARRIVED.
I think money should be saved in a more long term way then saving up for a vacation. I think my kids will appreciate help with college, and not having to be constantly worried about how I will pay my grocery bill, more than a tropical vacation (which they have also never had). To me it seems like one of the reasons people get into trouble financially (along with just sucky luck) is because they buy things they don’t really need like fancy cars or vacations (I think you’ve even said this in your posts before). It seems like some people save money and then spend it on something “they deserve.” I think people become financially stable not for saving up for something (which I think some people teach their kids) but just by saving. Not for a treat, not for something they want. Just saving. So they can pay the bills, the mortgage, and for children’s education. I tell my kids to save for their future houses and jobs. I don’t encourage saving up for something they really want and buying it. Instead I say they can wait for their birthday or Christmas and if they still want it then, it can be their gift (I follow your 4 Christmas present rule, too). I’m really sorry if this is taken and read defensively. It is just a new perspective, and I truly am happy to hear your opinion. Think if this as food for thought. I totally respect your want for a tropical vacation, and it seems from your posts that you are someone who does love the sun. There are a million ways to do things, and I know everyone has to do them in a way that works for them.
You know what I appreciate WAY more than my parents money helping to pay for my college education? Memories..spending time with them and my family on vacation. I paid for my own college education, I never expected them to help. I’m so glad that they decided to spend money on things like vacations. Time with family is irreplaceable. Memories with parents and siblings are so invaluable.
Maybe instead of concentrating on an expensive vacation you should try concentrating on NOT using the F word as a norm. College education today is way more expensive than when you went to school. It seems your side-kick believes that others have “vacation envy”. Not true, we just understand that you can have a vacation without spending a ton of money. I live in the Midwest and a car trip across the boarder of my state, or even a couple hours downstate one can find wonderful places as a vacation for not so much money. Years later children will remember a vacation no matter where you go.
Thanks for the grammar advice 🙂
Some people will be cranky and have “vacation envy” when you do this. However, I think it will be wonderful.
I already have grown children and you know what, they remember the few trips we went on and still talk about them. Not one of them has discussed college money with me.
You do your trip and enjoy. One day you will be long gone and your children will remember that trip, whether they are in college or not.
Just my opinion.
We were so lucky in that my parents were able to put us through college (though I’m still paying off grad school). There were 6 of us so our vacations were pretty much East Coast car trips or playing outside our own house. Now that my Dad is gone, I actually feel very badly that he spent his adult life working so hard for us and rarely doing anything for himself. And I certainly remember those family vacations as some of my best memories. My husband and I don’t have kids but we have taken exactly 2 tropical trips since we’ve been together for 10 years (with a 7 year gap in between). I also told myself that next year, we’re going somewhere warm and beachy and will hopefully continue that tradition. Cause bills will keep coming but you have to step out of life every once in awhile and recharge.
Cause bills will keep coming but you have to step out of life every once in a while and recharge. EXACTLY!!