Decision fatigue-August vacation with young kids

[Anonymous]

Long story short--severe burnout and too much multitasking means that here I am in mid-June, and haven't planned for August. Can you help a sister out?

Where can we go that is a) within a 6 hour drive or 4 hour flight from DC b) has a kids club/program where we can drop our lovely, charming, but exhausting children (ages 6 and 4) off for a few hours of childfree time?

Budget would be about 6-7K, and we'd be open to Puerto Rico or the US VI, but since SOMEBODY forgot to renew a passport and it seems passport services are still slow, we'd stick to US or US territories.

Bonus: a little nature, a little spa time would be great. We're not big shoppers and the biggest decision I want to make is what to have for dinner. Because, burnt all the way out.

So..got any resort names that you recommend? You'll have my eternal gratitude!

[Anonymous]

When our kids were that age we went to Mexico AIs with kids clubs. We did royalton riviera maya; and another in akumal (can’t remember name but they all have kids clubs)


In the us look for family resorts….Tyler place family resort in Vermont offers activities…on a lake etc. Florida—hawks cay: maybe also Amelia island; I am sure they have lots of resorts with options.

The Omni in Hilton head has a kids club. I’m pretty sure there are some other HH resorts.


Finally we visit family in LA a lot and one year we put them in camp on the beach in Santa Monica (I can try to find the name) . It’s a day program and you can just do the week.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you me? We always plan last-minute, when nothing is left but the Motel 6 or the Four Seasons. Put them together, you have a perfect 10 (sorry for the dad joke).

Following this thread for ideas.

[Anonymous]

How fancy do you need it to be? When my kids were little our most relaxing vacation was Deer Valley Family Camp in PA. The kids go off with counselors every morning, adults can relax, go hiking or boating, paint in the craft shop, etc. Family activities in the afternoon and evening. All meals are served family style so we don't even have to decide where/what to eat. When we started going it felt like the first vacation I got since we had babies. We went every summer from when the kids were 3-4 to early teens. They usually have some spots in "week 10" in late August.

It's definitely rustic and the food is basic and hearty but for a little kid family vacation it's awesome.

https://www.deervalleyymca.org/programs/summer-family-camp/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How fancy do you need it to be? When my kids were little our most relaxing vacation was Deer Valley Family Camp in PA. The kids go off with counselors every morning, adults can relax, go hiking or boating, paint in the craft shop, etc. Family activities in the afternoon and evening. All meals are served family style so we don't even have to decide where/what to eat. When we started going it felt like the first vacation I got since we had babies. We went every summer from when the kids were 3-4 to early teens. They usually have some spots in "week 10" in late August.

It's definitely rustic and the food is basic and hearty but for a little kid family vacation it's awesome.

https://www.deervalleyymca.org/programs/summer-family-camp/

I visited Deer family for a "family/friends weekend" once and it seemed great!

I also recommend Silver Bay, YMCA. It's a bit farther drive, but it's a pretty drive. I'm not sure what is still available but if you get 2 attached rooms, all your meals are included and activities. You would have to register the kids for summer camp which is M-F 8:30-11:30 am. I love Silver Bay and it's definitely restful for burnt out parents!

[Anonymous]

You can get an expedited passport in about 2 weeks.

We went to Puerto Rico in May and it was so hot and humid I can only imagine what August will be like.

I’m sick of generic resorts that are all the same. When we go out of the country we stay in neighborhoods (Airbnb) and rent a car. Your kids are young so maybe not yet but it’s a more interesting trip.

[Anonymous]

A bit farther of a drive, but Kiawah Island has a great kids club program, nature and a spa.

Also, you don’t need a passport to enter Puerto Rico and USVI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can get an expedited passport in about 2 weeks.

We went to Puerto Rico in May and it was so hot and humid I can only imagine what August will be like.

I’m sick of generic resorts that are all the same. When we go out of the country we stay in neighborhoods (Airbnb) and rent a car. Your kids are young so maybe not yet but it’s a more interesting trip.

This is so unhelpful! OP wants something easy -- expediting passports is a headache. OP is asking for something generic and packaged -- "out of the country" "Airbnb" and "rent a car" are totally ignoring the original request.

OP, have you looked into Mohonk Mountain? It's really pricey but you can drive there and it's all inclusive and gorgeous.

[Anonymous]

You don’t need a passport for PR.

[Anonymous]

Passport issue may be tricky so what about a cruise with a kids club. You could do you nature stuff at the islands you visit and they have spas on the ship.

[Anonymous]

Any chance you can take a babysitter with you and go to Virginia Beach?

[Anonymous]

The best advice I have received on decision fatigue is to turn it over to your husband and let him decide.

[Anonymous]

This was me last week and we ended up planning a trip to Spruce Point Inn in Maine. Have never been so I don't know if it's good.

Also on my radar were:
Mohonk Mountain House
Greenbrier
Samoset Resort
Colony Hotel Maine
Nemacolin

I think there were some others in Maine with similar vibes.

[Anonymous]

Hilton head if you are willing to drive longer. We do it one day. We stay at a place a few doors down from this. Other options around same area.

https://t.vrbo.io/Gi8ZLj0JGAb

[Anonymous]

Woodblock Pines Resort in Hawley, Pa
Isle of Palms in SC
Nantucket Hotel and Resort

https://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/usa/best-all-inclusive-family-resorts-in-the-us/