Vacation is very different with a baby. I did not realize just how different it would be until we were already in Florida. On the way, I was thinking of all the fun and exciting differences; getting to play with baby on the beach, watching him as he learns and experiences new things. All the fun we would have together! What I was not thinking about, was how much I would be limited by the baby myself. A lot of the time when every one else would go down to the beach I had to stay in the room because it was almost time for baby to nap, or he needed to be nursed, or this or that with the baby. the first two days I found myself getting irritated and pretty down about it. I mean, who wants to go to the beach and be stuck up alone in the hotel for 85% of the time. My hubby offered to take the boy sometimes, but since I’m nursing him, most of the time it had to be me. But as I was sitting up in the room by myself the 2nd day of our trip being annoyed that I was not down enjoying myself I started thinking: what alternative am I wanting here? I want to be able to be down on the beach all care free, but if I really think through that idea, it would mean that I would not have my baby. When we decided to have a baby I KNEW there were going to be lots of sacrifices I had to make as a mommy. I knew that I would have to give up fun nights off and things, I knew that as soon as I had a baby nothing would be about me anymore. And I wanted it. And as I sat in the hotel room waiting for the baby to wake up so I could feed him and go join my family and friends on the beach, I realized, I still want it. I would rather have my boy than 1,000 vacations. What I was yearning after was impossible. I was mad because I wanted to have my baby and also all the freedoms of not having my baby. Ridiculous when phrased that way right? I made the conscious decision to give up certain freedoms to have a baby, and I don’t regret it. From the moment of this realization on I found it much easier to enjoy the vacation, even when I was in the hotel room just waiting for the baby to wake up etc. I learned a lot about priorities and taking joy in what I have on that trip. My priorities are so very different now that I am a mommy, but they are good-different.
After that realization, we did have so much fun together on vacation. Baby boy loved being on the beach and swimming in the pool. He thought running his hands through the sand was absolutely thrilling, and he learned to pull himself up to standing while we were on the beach in Florida. He was so proud of himself that day! (Mommy was really proud too!). It was so incredible watching him experience the waves, and seeing how badly he wanted to be touching the water and splashing around. It was absolutely wonderful sharing that trip with my baby and my hubby and his family and their church friends. and even the times I was just sharing the time with my baby. it was still wonderful <3
Kathryn says
Wow I love this post! I have done the SAME thing! Not necessarily with vacations but with other things. I have looked at couples without kids who go on date nights and vacations, and I say to my self, I wish we could do that. But it’s totally different with a baby! Thanks so much for sharing your heart! :)
Kate @ Teaching What Is Good says
Sometimes when we put things into words, we think, “DUH!” The sacrifices of mothering are not always easy, but they sure are worth it!
Kate
Tesha says
I was a wife at 17 and a mom at 18, that is so hard to believe. It has been a wonderful 15 years since then. It is true a baby changes everything. I came over from loving your children link up.
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says
What perspective. My think about vacation with kids is, well, they don’t know any different and I’m in a place without all of my home things to make them comfortable…that’s what’s hard for me.