Episode 035: Summer Vacations

Welcome!

00:35 Summer vacationing as a kid vs. adult

• The hosts reflect back on their experience of summer vacation as a child vs. what their kids experience now.
• How much do kids actually remember on these family vacations?
• Loads and loads of driving!!

06:52 Flying vs. driving

• The views!
• You can either see more of the places in between or more of the place you’re going to
  
• What does your family value more?
• Is the classic road trip only nostalgic?
  

10:20 KWu's travels

• KWu becomes a foodie in Paris!
• Winter ski trips
• KWu thinks it’s a good start to travel domestically before going internationally with her own children

12:06 Involving the kids in travel plans

• Get the ideas of what the kids are actually interested in to make for a better vacation

14:13 Take the kids anyways

• Kids may end up being grumpy anyways, so let's take them along regardless

14:50 Older kids remember more

• Super rewarding as a parent to hear positive feedback from the kids on a successful vacation
• Playing name that tune on the car ride home - the feeling that may actually last in our kids memories.

17:11 Yearly vacations and sporadic trips

• Chris plans a yearly beach trip with family as the designated time to get together
• Annual cousins week
• Josh’s daughter gets real about wanting to go to new places and experience new things during summer trips
• JC takes the kids on an annual beach trip but mixes it up with locations

20:13 Let your kids bring friends on vacation

• Josh finds success having his daughter bring a friend on a weekend getaway
• Built in play buddies when friends come along

23:01 Sporting events with kids and friends

• Built in getaways with friends
• Typically less drama
• Other parents around to mingle with and relax

23:43 Vacationing with another family

• Allow the kids to be with kids, and adults to be with adults
• Share responsibilities of who is caperoning #parentinghack
• But do the parenting philosophies match up?!

26:50 Different screen time rules

• Josh’s daughter is a mini Zuckerberg while her comrades are a bit behind
• A friend to Chris's kids ican't seem to put his phone away during bowling night
• JC had a TV in the mainroom on a vacation and it became the default daily wind down

29:40 Setting ground rules for phone time before vacations

• Josh’s daughter follow suit and uses her phone for taking pictures
• Assigning family time without phones is best to keep everyone on the same page

33:01 Keeping things fresh during family vacation

• Dice roll for a fresh activities
  Some of the best memories come from impulsive detours

34:36 Genius / fail moments

• KWu’s son went out and got eaten by tons of mosquitoes causing so much itching that they eventually bleed Bath time is now a nightmare #fail
• Chris and his wife volunteer to help out a family friend’s twins! He soon realizes the horror of having multiples
• Josh’s daughter has been having loads of sleepovers and he’s been sending a bottle of wine for the watchful parents. Definite notion of being invited back #genius
• JC’s oldest graduated high school, planning for college and is working hard over summer break. #proudparent

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Panel

Chris Sexton
KWu
Josh Puetz
JC Avena