It’s that time of the year again when we have a mini getaway with the kids and Great Grandpa. Last year I wrote about the things I do to make this trip more tolerable and run just a little smoother. I have done all those things and probably a few more.

This year, I’m going to let you in on what I don’t do.

I don’t stress out about bed time. 

They will sleep whenever they sleep. We will wake up whenever we wake up. I want to attempt to enjoy some time in the evening watching a movie or reading a book. If I’m shouting to everyone to go the f*ck to sleep, that will not happen. 

I don’t worry about balanced meals. 

It’ll be a free-for-all of French fries, ice cream, Oreos, sugar cereal, potato chips, and juice boxes. They will live. We all will live. A week of fun foods won’t kill anyone. 

I don’t plan activities. 

This one might be controversial. But I just don’t. We are going to “relax”. That likely means late nights hanging out, sleeping in, lazy breakfasts and we will see where the day takes us. It likely will be the pool. One year it was the zoo. Another time it was a drive-through safari. The only thing we plan is our arrival meal because everyone will be starving and no one has time for indecisiveness. More of a tradition than a plan, is hitting up our favorite little breakfast spot on the way out of town. That’s it. Everything in between is up-for-grabs. 

I don’t take a lot of pictures. 

It’s another controversial one. I get the obligatory group shot on the giant chair and another few of their best pool jumps. But then I put my phone away and try to just be present. 

I don’t spend every minute with my family. 

Each Christmas, if we have already booked our getaway, my husband gets me a big gift card to the spa at the resort. I’ll spend a couple of hours getting pampered with a massage and facial while he hangs with the kids and Great Grandpa. I’ll use the morning for myself, head back to the room to make sandwiches, and then meet them at the pool for lunch. 

Is there anything you don’t do that makes your trip easier?

I am writing for the 19th annual Slice of Life challenge presented by Two Writing Teachers.