Does your family travel alone or with other families usually ?

[Anonymous]

We are headed to the Caribbean for a few days for spring break ( DH and 2 teens aged 13 & 15).

An extended family member asked us who are we going with and was surprised that it’s just the 4 of us. He asked “ what are you going to do , just the 4 of you? “

We’ve sometimes traveled with other families but I was too busy to plan the logistics with others this time and I honestly didn’t feel it was odd for just the 4 of us to go.

Do you usually travel with other families ?

[Anonymous]

Sometime we travel with other families, but more often just us. As you mentioned the logistics can be harder unless it’s winter break but otherwise leave schedules, school holidays don’t always align. It’s hard enough planning for one family.

[Anonymous]

We travel alone, but will often meet up with friends or family who live in the area we're visiting or who are also traveling there. As kids get older, especially in the teen years, this is a good way of letting some fresh air into the room.

[Anonymous]

I don't know anyone with minor children who travels with other families, OP. We all travel with our nuclear families. I do know older relatives who occasionally travel with their friends, since their kids are grown and working.

[Anonymous]

We exclusively travel with just our family. My husband travels for work quite a bit and we take vacations to be together.

[Anonymous]

Approx 1 of every 5 trips is with another family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are headed to the Caribbean for a few days for spring break ( DH and 2 teens aged 13 & 15).

An extended family member asked us who are we going with and was surprised that it’s just the 4 of us. He asked “ what are you going to do , just the 4 of you? “

We’ve sometimes traveled with other families but I was too busy to plan the logistics with others this time and I honestly didn’t feel it was odd for just the 4 of us to go.

Do you usually travel with other families ?

Never.
And to me, it’s weird that he thinks that’s weird and that you felt you had to defend why you aren’t doing it “this time.”
I would have answered, “enjoy each others company and have a relaxing and adventurous vacation!”

[Anonymous]

Alone. We never travel with other families or even our relatives. We like doing our own thing and don't have any friend with kid the same age/gender who enjoy the same types of vacations we do.

[Anonymous]

I think their comment is surprising - not that you’re going alone.

We do a mix of travel with friends, family, and alone.

[Anonymous]

No, I do not like traveling with families of friends. Definitely not friends. It's too much headache and, many times, it can ruin the vacation. I'd prefer to do my own thing and not cater to different interests - and kids' needs.

Many times we travel with my parents and on a few occasions my brother has joined with his kids (he's divorced). My parents are very easy, though, as they just go for the ride.

[Anonymous]

We nearly always travel alone. The logistics of trying to coordinate with another family would be very difficult. But we move around a lot. We have occasionally done things like rent a house somewhere with other families, but that isn't our usual holiday choice.

[Anonymous]

If I had to put numbers on it, I’d guess:
- 95% just my DH and kid
- 4% with my parents or ILs
- 1% with friends (like a girls trip, never with their families)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know anyone with minor children who travels with other families, OP. We all travel with our nuclear families. I do know older relatives who occasionally travel with their friends, since their kids are grown and working.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are headed to the Caribbean for a few days for spring break ( DH and 2 teens aged 13 & 15).

An extended family member asked us who are we going with and was surprised that it’s just the 4 of us. He asked “ what are you going to do , just the 4 of you? “

We’ve sometimes traveled with other families but I was too busy to plan the logistics with others this time and I honestly didn’t feel it was odd for just the 4 of us to go.

Do you usually travel with other families ?

We travel for relaxation. It stresses me out to have other people with me. I want to be fancy free and footloose during travel and turning my direction without seeking a consensus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are headed to the Caribbean for a few days for spring break ( DH and 2 teens aged 13 & 15).

An extended family member asked us who are we going with and was surprised that it’s just the 4 of us. He asked “ what are you going to do , just the 4 of you? “

We’ve sometimes traveled with other families but I was too busy to plan the logistics with others this time and I honestly didn’t feel it was odd for just the 4 of us to go.

Do you usually travel with other families ?

Never.
And to me, it’s weird that he thinks that’s weird and that you felt you had to defend why you aren’t doing it “this time.”
I would have answered, “enjoy each others company and have a relaxing and adventurous vacation!”

+1

I have had to tell this to my MIL, who thinks it is positively dreadful to be "forced" to be together for vacations and snow days. Vacations are only for show. Clearly she was doing it wrong.