Take that Family Trip With Friends

By Emi Sano

In my adult years, I’ve taken a few trips with friends, and they were always an adventure. We’d either book a big hotel room to share or chip in on an Airbnb, sometimes bringing our dogs along and letting the chaos unfold. But when my spouse and I decided to have a kid, it didn’t quite align with our friends’ timelines. Then the pandemic hit and weekend getaways were off the table—we couldn’t imagine bringing a baby along.

Even though our itch for a trip with friends never went away, we waited for the right moment and the right friends who would understand what it’s like to vacation with a kid. When I started making mom friends with kids the same age as mine, I realized it might be the perfect time to reconsider those weekend getaways.

Recently, we took the plunge and joined four other families for a beach vacation. The idea of five families under one roof seemed insane. How could we possibly pull this off without something going wrong? Our group chat fluctuated between excitement and sheer terror.

But here’s the kicker—it went so well that we’re already planning the next one!

Why is it so important to have vacations with your friends?

Let’s be real: there’s no such thing as a “vacation” when you’re a parent. It’s more like being a parent in a new location, with kids off their routine and a little crazier than usual. But when you’re on a “vacation” with friends who also have kids, you get a brief window where you don’t have to be the sole entertainer because the kids keep each other busy.

There’s also something special about being in a fun place with friends. The bonds of friendship tighten with shared experiences, and core memories are formed. For that short time, you almost become like a family. Parents help each other out, and the kids know they need to listen to their “auntie” or “uncle” too. That weekend, our village came together, leaving a lasting impact on us all.

Tips for a Smooth Family Trip with Friends

• Make Sure Your Kids Know Each Other: One reason our trip went so well is that all the kids were already friends. They had playdates or attended birthday parties together, so there were no awkward introductions.
• Set a Budget Everyone Can Afford: This was crucial for us. Our travel budget is usually modest, and I was worried about whether we’d be able to participate. But we all agreed on a budget that worked for everyone, making it easier to plan and enjoy the trip without financial stress.
• Plan Ahead: We started planning this trip in late winter/early spring, searching for an Airbnb that could comfortably house all five families. One person made the reservation, and we paid them back in full or in installments, which helped spread out the cost.
• Buy Groceries Together: We didn’t do this, but it’s my advice for the future. We each bought what our families would eat, which led to multiple duplicates taking up fridge space. Next time, we’ll coordinate our grocery shopping better and assign who buys what.
  Pro Tip: Find out who has allergies so you don’t accidentally send someone into anaphylaxis.
• Don’t Feel Obligated to Eat Together: If one or two families want to go out to eat while the others stay in, that’s fine. Don’t feel pressured to do everything together.
• Lower Your Expectations: This applies to how the kids will behave, eat, or even sleep. Some of the kids stayed up a bit later than usual. It might sound stressful, but lowering your expectations will make you feel better when things “go right.”

I asked my friends for their advice on traveling with friends, and one said, “Do it! Just do it! You’ll never regret taking the time to go somewhere and make memories, even if it seems ‘too hard.’” Another said, “The memories we make on vacations with the kids aren’t just for them—they’re for us to look back on too. You’ll never say you went on too many trips.”

So, here’s my parting advice: Yes, take that trip with your friends and bring your kids along. You won’t regret it.

If you like this Family Trip With Friends Blog You might also like these:

There’s More Than One Kind of Disney Vacation

St. Augustine: Family Vacation Idea

Bermuda Run Country Club: A Vacation Close to Home

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