Vacation with a kid w/low energy & anxiety

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for something to look forward to.

DS(8) has developed severe fatigue, pain, and anxiety. Can't do much. We are working with doctors, but don't know if/when he'll get better. Meanwhile, we have another child who is going through a period of low social contact (the middle school shuffle isn't working for her right now), and is depressed at our family's low level of activity.

What kind of vacation could we consider this summer? Something that would lift our spirits and provide activity for the one and some passive entertainment for the other. Ideally, something that would be pleasant for DH and I, as we are under severe stress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for something to look forward to.

DS(8) has developed severe fatigue, pain, and anxiety. Can't do much. We are working with doctors, but don't know if/when he'll get better. Meanwhile, we have another child who is going through a period of low social contact (the middle school shuffle isn't working for her right now), and is depressed at our family's low level of activity.

What kind of vacation could we consider this summer? Something that would lift our spirits and provide activity for the one and some passive entertainment for the other. Ideally, something that would be pleasant for DH and I, as we are under severe stress.

I'm sorry you're in a season like this. Hang in there.

What about the beach? DS can chill in the sand with a book, and maybe DD can bring along a friend to pal around with. Rent a 3 bedroom place so there's plenty of room and you can fix meals there if you're all not up for going out. Ocean City or Rehobath are short drives away.

A little Vitamin D can do everyone some good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for something to look forward to.

DS(8) has developed severe fatigue, pain, and anxiety. Can't do much. We are working with doctors, but don't know if/when he'll get better. Meanwhile, we have another child who is going through a period of low social contact (the middle school shuffle isn't working for her right now), and is depressed at our family's low level of activity.

What kind of vacation could we consider this summer? Something that would lift our spirits and provide activity for the one and some passive entertainment for the other. Ideally, something that would be pleasant for DH and I, as we are under severe stress.

I'm sorry you're in a season like this. Hang in there.

What about the beach? DS can chill in the sand with a book, and maybe DD can bring along a friend to pal around with. Rent a 3 bedroom place so there's plenty of room and you can fix meals there if you're all not up for going out. Ocean City or Rehobath are short drives away.

A little Vitamin D can do everyone some good.

[Anonymous]

A cruise? Your DS can just sit by the pool or in the kid's club and your DD can do all the activities.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP, I think something like Bethany Beach would be good. Tons of kids from this area to entertain your more active child. You can be as active as you want, and being able to drive in a short time is lower stress for all of you, you can even make it home for a doctors appointment if necessary. You could also go down to a Florida beach resort if you want to go further.

[Anonymous]

My kids and I don't like cruises b/c there are so many people and it's exhausting. Agree with the beach. A cabin in the mountains - with a friend or a kids' club for the other kid - would be good too.

[Anonymous]

A family camp? This is a really pricey one, but there are other options. https://tylerplace.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for something to look forward to.

DS(8) has developed severe fatigue, pain, and anxiety. Can't do much. We are working with doctors, but don't know if/when he'll get better. Meanwhile, we have another child who is going through a period of low social contact (the middle school shuffle isn't working for her right now), and is depressed at our family's low level of activity.

What kind of vacation could we consider this summer? Something that would lift our spirits and provide activity for the one and some passive entertainment for the other. Ideally, something that would be pleasant for DH and I, as we are under severe stress.

I'm sorry you're in a season like this. Hang in there.

What about the beach? DS can chill in the sand with a book, and maybe DD can bring along a friend to pal around with. Rent a 3 bedroom place so there's plenty of room and you can fix meals there if you're all not up for going out. Ocean City or Rehobath are short drives away.

A little Vitamin D can do everyone some good.

Keep the meals simple so it's not another layer of stress on you. Order pizza and get seafood carry-out. We stayed at the Carousel in OC last year. While the property is a little old itself, the rental was nice and there was a TON of family stuff all week. My only-child found lots of friends at movie night on the beach and other family activities.

[Anonymous]

We have a somewhat similar situation and we don’t take family vacations right now. We try to do trips with one parent and the kids who are able to handle travel. (We tried something that we thought would work for everyone several times and it was miserable for all.) It is also good to treat yourself when you can OP. I do a night or two by myself every few months somewhere and it fills my gas tank enough to keep me going. It’s hard stuff.

[Anonymous]

I'd send the kid without anxiety to a sleepaway camp for a couple weeks at least.

Then pick something that is an easier speed for parents and DS 8.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a somewhat similar situation and we don’t take family vacations right now. We try to do trips with one parent and the kids who are able to handle travel. (We tried something that we thought would work for everyone several times and it was miserable for all.) It is also good to treat yourself when you can OP. I do a night or two by myself every few months somewhere and it fills my gas tank enough to keep me going. It’s hard stuff.

Oh, could one of you go away sooner for a weekend with your daughter and a friend of hers? To a hotel with a pool, and perhaps nearby stuff to do (like Williamsburg, or a waterpark like great wolf lodge? Then another weekend the other parent can go with your daughter and a different friend.... just leave right after school on Friday, get there within 3 hours, then drive back on Sunday leaving at 9am after breakfast? 2 nights away, 1 full day away.. might be fun. If that's too hectic, you could do a long weekend like MLK or President's Day.

[Anonymous]

We did Bar Harbor, ME last summer. Lots of beaches to explore and scenery to look around. We did a lot of nature cruises and lobster cruises (e.g., Diver Ed was FANTASTIC!) so there was a lot of nature to see, but not a ton of walking. Afterwards, we stayed at a hotel with a pool literally right outside our building (Atlantic Oceanside& Event Hotel). Lots of sea creatures by the beach to look at. Going to a city with tourbuses/trolley (aka duck boat adventures) that allow you to hop-on-hop off were great.

[Anonymous]

How about a cruise? Everyone can choose what they want to do, meals are easy and activities can be chill. One parent can take one child each on different excursions that each child would enjoy.

[Anonymous]

We did Williamsburg for years. You can get a timeshare for a week off eBay. At your own pace, you can do Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Jamestown, etc. Or, just hang out at the timeshare. We bring our own Roku stick and Xbox so kids are well entertained if they're not up for the pool or putt-putt. You could also do Great Wolf Lodge.

[Anonymous]

Our tween with low energy/sluggish cognitive tempo/anxiety/ADD really loves a beach vacation where there's no expectation that he "perform" - he can just relax and "be."

On the same trip our high energy young elementary can go on outings and adventures with one parent while the other spends some quiet time with the boy.