Renting a beach house with kids..do you get disappointed?

[Anonymous]

Anyone feel like beach trips in a rental home with kids are a *ton* of work and not worth it? We went to the mountains this year and it was a much better fit for my family. We didn’t have to pack as much, I could actually relax and not worry about my 4 year old drowning every second we were by water, didn’t have to pack a million things and set up umbrellas and a tent for the day. We did other things like rode horses, paddle boarding with life vests, hikes, and just enjoyed it as much if not more. I love the beach but next time we are going to a resort.

[Anonymous]

Sure, a resort is easier than a rental home. And some people like the mountains more than the beach.

[Anonymous]

I love the beach but can totally see how with young children it requires vigilance to ensure safety about the water.

Also helpful if one has a spouse to lug all the beach stuff back and forth.

[Anonymous]

I love the beach with little kids, but it's definitely not less work than being home with little kids!

[Anonymous]

We have done a big family trip to the beach for the last 12 years. My sister and I talk often now about how the years when we had babies and toddlers were actually pretty awful. We still wanted to do it, the cousin/grandparent time was amazing, but holy hell it was WORK. Now everyone can swim, and carry their own stuff to the beach, don't fight us on sunscreen, can grab/open their own snacks and it's ONE MILLION TIMES MORE FUN. Like this year (youngest is 6.5 now) was amazing.

So, give it a try again in a few years. Otherwise, do what's fun for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone feel like beach trips in a rental home with kids are a *ton* of work and not worth it? We went to the mountains this year and it was a much better fit for my family. We didn’t have to pack as much, I could actually relax and not worry about my 4 year old drowning every second we were by water, didn’t have to pack a million things and set up umbrellas and a tent for the day. We did other things like rode horses, paddle boarding with life vests, hikes, and just enjoyed it as much if not more. I love the beach but next time we are going to a resort.

Yes of course resorts are more relaxing. They are also a lot more expensive, as is paying for all food out, and families share a much smaller sleeping space. There are pros and cons.

[Anonymous]

Full service resorts are the only way a beach trip with kids feels like an actual vacation. Rental houses involve too much cooking, cleaning, and schlepping. No thank you.

[Anonymous]

Agree 100%. We rented a condo in OBX a couple summers in a row when our girls were little. I absolutely hated all the cooking, cleaning, vacuuming and schlepping required. If I have to make my bed upon arrival and bring my own toilet paper, it is not a vacation. Hotels or resorts for only from now on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love the beach with little kids, but it's definitely not less work than being home with little kids!

+1

https://www.theonion.com/mom-spends-beach-vacation-assuming-all-household-duties-1819575406

[Anonymous]

We did the beach with little kids for one day and never went back.

[Anonymous]

This is why we switched to hotels. It's cheaper, less work, and more relaxing

[Anonymous]

I feel like this kind of applies to every trip with kids.

[Anonymous]

You're comparing apples to oranges.


Perhaps a resort (OP seems to like the amenities of a resort) at the beach (mother nature's biggest sandbox)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone feel like beach trips in a rental home with kids are a *ton* of work and not worth it? We went to the mountains this year and it was a much better fit for my family. We didn’t have to pack as much, I could actually relax and not worry about my 4 year old drowning every second we were by water, didn’t have to pack a million things and set up umbrellas and a tent for the day. We did other things like rode horses, paddle boarding with life vests, hikes, and just enjoyed it as much if not more. I love the beach but next time we are going to a resort.

OP people who have their parent/s to help out have a much easier time, in general, the beach not withstanding.

[Anonymous]

I love our annual beach trip, but the pros of having cousins and grandparents share space and the family bonding that happens heavily skews things. Without that, the food prep I do ahead of time, the amount of stuff we bring and the work I do once there would make it not worth it. I also don't "count" it as a vacation. We still take a vacation. This is a family trip, which I treasure, but is different.