When a Family Gateaway is just Parenting in a New Place.

Think family vacations are about relaxation? Think again. Join us as we redefine what a family getaway really means and learn to embrace the mess.

Welcome back, friends! In Episode 24, we're tackling a topic that many moms can relate to family vacations.

Cara and Shawna recently returned from their own family "awaycations" and are here to share the unfiltered truth about what it’s like to travel with a baby and older kids.

While the idea of a family trip is often sold to us as a glamorous, picture-perfect experience, the reality is far from it.

From Shawna's camping trip saga; complete with a forgotten stroller, a frantic search for a changing area, and a stressful sunscreen scare… To Cara's experience at Great Wolf Lodge, we get honest about the chaos, the lack of sleep, and the moments when you feel like a "mom failure".

This episode is a powerful reminder that family travel isn't a spa day; it’s a "survival exercise".

It’s about letting go of the pressure to have a perfect trip and instead, lowering your expectations and raising your connection.

The real magic isn't in a pristine photo-op; it's in the messy, imperfect memories you're making together.

We talk about the importance of planning your patience and how to handle the inevitable moments when you're close to snapping.

We also shift the focus to a topic that's often lost in the shuffle of motherhood: your own joy.

Shawna and Cara also introduce a new challenge: 14 Days of Fun, encouraging you to find a "mini vacation" in their everyday lives by dedicating 30 minutes a day to a fun, frivolous activity just for yourself.

This challenge is a "mom-possible" way to reconnect with your identity outside of being a parent and to remember what you like to do for fun.

TLFMTR (Too Long For Mom To Read):

• A "vacation" with kids is not about rest; it's about redefining family time.
  
  

• The goal of a family getaway is not perfection, but connection. Lower your expectations and embrace the messiness to create lasting memories.
  
  

• Packing your patience is just as important as packing your bags. Being out of your element can make you feel close to the edge of your temper, so be gentle with yourself.
  
  

• Don't forget to prioritize your own well-being. Even a brief "momcation" or a 30-minute daily activity can help you reconnect with yourself and remember who you are outside of motherhood.

What's one small, fun thing you can do for yourself today to feel a little more like "you"?

Remember, you are a great mom, and you're not alone in this.

If you're looking for more support on your journey and want to continue the conversation with a group of moms who get it?

See you there!

Shawna & Cara