Rethinking Traveling with Friends

     So, I’ve always thought that vacations are supposed to be with Family.  That is until I recently took our beach trip to Carolina Beach with my in-laws.  That trip is starting to change my mind, but in a good way.  :)
Don’t get me wrong.  I Love my family.  I Love spending quality time with my family.  I also think that Family-Only trips are important.  Just like trips with just my Wife.  That’s a lot of trips, if we can afford it.
     However, recently I have seen the benefit in traveling with friends more and more.  From what I can see, I think it comes down to about 3 reasons:  that your kids could have a playdate with their kids, that you could possibly have a date night while they watch your kids and finally that when you are “stuck” at home you may not feel as stuck because you are spending that time with good friends.
     Your kids have a playdate with another families kids.  My 3 year-old daughter would be ecstatic if we took a trip with just 1 of her friends.  Heck, my daughter wouldn’t even care if we took a trip with a couple of kids whom technically she’s not really friends with, but instead gets along with.

     The chance that you can actually have some quality time with your partner away from where you are staying goes up exponentially.  If you have good sleepers and can get them to bed at a reasonable hour and can trust the friends that you have brought along with you on this vacation.  You Can Go On A Date Night!  Now, I realize that there are a lot of “ands” there, but I feel like we have good sleepers, early sleepers and great friends for the first time in our life!
     Finally, even if you and the other family that you are traveling with decide to take a date night.  You will probably still have at least one night in which you are all hanging out together.  Then, you have options, you can either hang out and talk (outside preferably), play games or watch a movie, etc…  This could add to the variety of activities during the evenings that you spend together while on a trip.
     Now, if traveling with another couple is not your thing.  That’s cool.  But, if anyone knows my wife and I, you will know that we like to be around people.  It pumps us up.  So, for us, traveling with friends may be an incredible option to consider.  As long as you get along with them well and have tested this fact before traveling, hopefully each party will also be on their best behavior during the trip.  :)