Beaches and Babies

We just returned from our first multi-generational vacation with the kids and their families.  With grandsons Carson and Dominic only 5 and 6 months old, choosing a destination was a delicate task.  We needed to choose a getaway that allowed for flexibility of babies’ needs, opportunity for parents (or grandparents) to play, and by all means included a beach (we love the beach).

We have always enjoyed vacations with a great balance of play, sight-seeing and relaxation.  The notion of taking our first vacation with the kids and grandkids filled us with excitement, but also a little anxiety knowing that careful planning was essential.  Since we have always enjoyed the Outer Banks, and it’s a vacation that can be tailored to fit everyone’s needs, this destination seemed like a perfect choice.  We wouldn’t be tied to a strict schedule, there would be plenty of opportunity for water sports and sight-seeing, and it’s never failed as a relaxing beach getaway.  We could rent a 4 bedroom beach house, take turns at cooking, and enjoy the Atlantic for a week.   

Hangin' out under the beach canopy

After choosing a week that fit into everyone’s schedule, we had to secure a beach house.  We had always loved the house we rented in the past - it wasn't oceanfront but it was oceanside, and a short walk to the beach.  We never needed a pool since we spent most of our hours at the beach.  But our needs are different now with Carson and Dominic.  An oceanfront beach house with a pool would be better.  It would be easier for lugging beach and baby gear, and the boys could play in the pool when the sand and waves got to be too much for them.  The beach house we selected was perfect - 4 bedroom, oceanfront with a pool.   

The pool was a big hit!

Exhausted!

Although the dynamic has definitely changed from our past beach vacations now that the kids have young families, it’s a welcome change.  We used to watch our kids “ride the waves” and do their best to stay on top of a surf board and now we watch them having the time of their lives throwing their babies in the air while playing with them in the pool.  We used to watch them boogie board for HOURS and HOURS and now they build little sand pools to introduce their sons to the ocean.  I remember constantly nagging my children to reapply sunscreen and now they have become obsessed with keeping their children plastered in SPF 50 and covered in full body swimsuits and hats.  

Filled to the top w/beach and baby gear

It was so much fun watching the four young parents toss a football around on the beach and play in the surf while the babies slept underneath the canopy that their parents had set up for them.  Sitting around the campfire we built on the beach, making S’mores and watching our kids and their families sit back, laugh, and enjoy being together is the best part of a family vacation.    

Family vacations are not easy - planning requires some compromise, packing can be rough, children (and sometimes adults) can get cranky, and the entire experience can be exhausting (aren’t you supposed to feel rested?).  But here’s the happy ending:  being together with your family for one solid week a year is irreplaceable.  Growing up, the boys will look forward to these vacations with their cousins.  These are the very best of memories.