Why I Think Family Vacations Are Worth Missing School For

Every year, when my kids were younger and it was time to plan our family vacation, my husband and I faced the same dilemma: do we take the kids out of school, or try to squeeze in a trip during a holiday or summer break? For us, the answer has almost always been to go ahead and take the kids out of school. While some might argue that missing class time is a bad idea, we've found that the benefits of taking our kids on these trips far outweigh any potential downsides. In this post, I'll share why I believe taking kids out of school for a vacation can be a good idea, based on my own experience as a parent. From bonding as a family to experiencing new cultures, there are plenty of reasons to consider taking a break from the classroom for your next family adventure.

Benefits of taking your kids out of school for a family vacation

Taking kids out of school for a family vacation may seem like a risky choice, but the benefits can far outweigh any potential drawbacks. Here are a few reasons why I believe it's worth considering:

A. Time to bond as a family - Family vacations provide a unique opportunity to spend quality time together, away from the usual distractions of work, school, and other obligations. - By exploring new places, trying new things, and making memories together, families can strengthen their bonds and create shared experiences that last a lifetime.

B. Opportunities for experiential learning - Traveling to new places can be an incredible learning experience for kids, offering a chance to explore different cultures, cuisines, and ways of life. - Visiting museums, historical sites, and other educational attractions can be a fun and engaging way for kids to learn about history, science, and other subjects.

C. Chance to recharge and relax - School can be stressful for both kids and parents, and taking a break from the daily routine can be a great way to recharge and relax. - Getting away from the usual responsibilities and stresses of daily life can help everyone feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

D. Exposure to different cultures and ways of life - Traveling to new places can broaden kids' horizons and expose them to different cultures and ways of life. - By experiencing new foods, languages, customs, and traditions, kids can gain a greater appreciation for diversity as well as an appreciation for where they live.

E. Other advantages - Visiting places during off-peak travel times means less crowds, cheaper rates and easier availability of flights and accommodations. - Visiting friends and family with different school calendars may offer an opportunity to connect more closely with them.

Overall, I have found that the time spent as a family during a vacation is much more important than the time missed from school. By taking advantage of the unique opportunities that family vacations offer, parents can create lasting memories and strengthen their relationships with their children.

How to manage schoolwork during a family vacation

One of the biggest concerns parents have about taking their kids out of school for a family vacation is how to manage schoolwork while they're away. Here are some strategies that I've found helpful:

A. Take advantage of travel time - If you're flying or driving to your destination, use the time to work on assignments or study. - Pack laptops, textbooks, or other materials that your child may need to complete assignments.

B. Communicate with teachers ahead of time - Let your child's teachers know about your travel plans and discuss any assignments or tests that will be missed. - Ask for assignments or readings that can be completed during the trip.

C. Keep a journal or document the trip - Encourage your child to keep a travel journal or blog, documenting their experiences and observations during the trip. - This can be a fun way to engage with the destination and provide a record of the trip that can be shared with teachers and classmates.

D. Plan ahead - Try to schedule your trip during a slower period of the school year or during a school break. - Get assignments and readings ahead of time, so that your child can stay on track while away.

E. Talk to the school administration - If you're concerned about missing school, talk to the school administration or your child's guidance counselor. - Explain your reasons for taking the trip and discuss any concerns you may have about how it will affect your child's academic progress.

Overall, I've found that most teachers and schools are supportive of family vacations, as long as parents communicate with them ahead of time and make an effort to keep their children on track with schoolwork. By being proactive and planning ahead, parents can help ensure that their kids don't fall behind academically while still enjoying the many benefits of a family vacation.

Opportunities for learning during family vacations

One of the most rewarding aspects of taking our kids out of school for family vacations has been the opportunities for learning and cultural enrichment that these trips have provided. Here are some examples of the educational experiences our kids have had while travelling:

A. Experiencing different cultures - Our kids have had the opportunity to travel to different countries and experience new cultures, including those that are less fortunate than our own. - They have seen firsthand the struggles of children who have to work instead of attending school, and those who are begging on the streets. - These experiences have helped them to appreciate the opportunities and privileges that they have in their own lives, and to develop empathy and compassion for those who are less fortunate.

B. Exploring historical sites - We've taken our kids to historical sites such as Washington DC, Gettysburg, and Mt. Vernon, where they've been able to learn about important events and figures from American history. - These trips have helped bring history to life for our kids, making it more real and tangible than just reading about it in a textbook.

C. Trying new foods - One of the fun things about travelling is trying new foods from different cultures. - Our kids have been able to sample foods from around the world just by visiting places like EPCOT, where they can taste authentic cuisine from different countries.

D. Engaging in educational activities - We've printed out puzzles and word searches that relate to our destination for road trips, which have been a fun way to engage our kids in learning while on the go. - We also encourage our kids to journal their experiences, take photos, and make videos, which helps them to remember what they've learned and share it with others.

Overall, we've found that family vacations can be a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn about the world and broaden their horizons. By taking advantage of these opportunities for cultural enrichment, parents can help their kids to develop a deeper appreciation for the world around them and become more informed, empathetic, and compassionate individuals.

Conclusion: Traveling with your family is priceless

In conclusion, taking your kids out of school for a family vacation can be a wonderful decision with many benefits. By spending quality time together as a family, visiting less crowded locations, and experiencing different cultures and historical sites, you can create lasting memories and deepen your family bond. Additionally, many teachers are understanding and supportive of family travel, and students can often keep up with their schoolwork while on the go.

Most importantly, family travel can be a priceless opportunity to learn about the world and gain a greater appreciation for the people and places around us. By exposing our kids to different cultures, historical sites, and new experiences, we can help them develop empathy, compassion, and a broader worldview.

As a parent, I've come to cherish the memories and experiences that family travel has given us. From exploring new places and cultures to spending quality time together, these trips have brought our family closer and helped us appreciate the world around us. I hope that my children will continue this tradition when they have families of their own, and that they too will see the value in taking time away to explore, learn, and grow together. And now that my oldest is taking trips with his friends and chatting with me about the places he hopes to visit, I can see that I have instilled a love of travel in him, which makes my heart incredibly happy.

So, if you're considering taking your kids out of school for a family vacation, my advice is to take the leap and go for it. You won't regret it, and I guarantee that you'll come back with memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it's exploring new cultures, experiencing history firsthand, or simply spending quality time together, family travel is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. So why not start planning your next adventure today?

The scary season is upon us!

Do you love being scared out of your mind? I can assure you that I Do Not. I am a big chicken and at 40 something years old, I'm still afraid of the dark. The haunting season is fast approaching with Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights beginning September 3 and running through October 31, 2021.  A couple years back I had the opportunity to attend Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando.  Here is a little background on my specific experience. A group of fellow agents and I did the RIP Tour. The RIP Tour comes with several benefits that included:

• VIP Entrance to Universal Studios
• RIP Tour guide
• VIP access to each haunted house
• Reserved seating to live shows
• Unlimited Express Pass to all other attractions and rides
• RIP Lounge access
• Complimentary valet parking

    Our evening started by entering Universal Studios through the VIP entrance and heading right over to check in for our tour. From our vantage point on the second floor we could see the crowds of people waiting to get into the park for an evening of frights. Having the VIP entrance, we were able to skip waiting in the long lines at the gate. Once all the day guests had exited the park it was time for the scaring to begin. Our guide escorted us through our first scare zone over to Cafe La Bamba for some complimentary food and beverages. This dining location is exclusive to RIP tour quests. The food consisted of tiny bites. There were Swedish meatballs, mac & cheese bites, mini beef wellingtons, mini quiche, and Asian chicken satay. For dessert options there were mini pies, cupcakes, and cookies. There was also a cash bar if you needed to purchase a some liquid courage. I didn't feel I needed any courage right off but did get some later in the evening at one of the RIP exclusive cash bars located inside the park. 

    The first scare zone we walked through was Revenge of Chucky. This zone featured possessed toys from your youth. I was dreading this one the most. I am not a fan of taking cute toys and making them scary. I mean why would you do that? To my surprise this scare zone was a piece of cake to walk through. Most likely because it was still light out. Now, had it been later in the evening I probably would have felt differently. After our first scare zone we headed out into the thick of things. All I could think was, "OMG, what have I gotten myself into?"

    Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) 2018 consisted of 10 houses and 5 scare zones. There were only two houses I was interested in. Poltergeist, cause I had seen that movie several times as a kid. And Stranger Things, as it was very popular at the time. I sill hadn't seen the show but once I returned home  I binged watched the entire series. That leaves 8 houses that I new nothing about. But this is where having an RIP guide really pays off. Before entering each house our guide would pull us off to the side and give us some background on the story and what we could expect to see inside. We would then be escorted to the express line and off we marched into the unknown. Our guide would be waiting for us, along with anyone in the group that chose not to enter the house, at the exit. 

    For each house I had my own protocols. First, I refused to be at the front or the end of the line. Second, I needed a buddy. Someone to guide me through the house because for 8 of the 10 houses my eyes were either closed or I was looking at the ground. If my buddy screamed I would immediately close my eyes. I wasn't taking any chances that I would have nightmares. Yes, I know. I'm a big chicken. 

   Now, how about a house that I did see with my own two eyes, the Poltergeist House. I was so impressed with how Universal was able to recreate the scenes from this 1980's movie. The outside facade was the inside of the pool with the house above you. You enter the house through the graveyard that house was built on. Then you walk into a room with Carol Anne putting her hands on a TV. And who doesn't remember the steak crawling across the counter? You also got a chance to see Marty looking at his reflection with his face peeling off. Eww! Then you entered the bedroom where a giant tree had smashed through the window and Robbie is being strangled by that scary clown doll. Next you walked into the closet and followed the blue light where Tangina would pop out. From here it was a series of other world rooms with scare actors, a giant skeleton head, and more scares from the clown. The last room featured a tv, but this time Carol Anne's hands were on the other side. I'm still amazed at what a great job Universal did with this house. 

    You move through the houses rather quickly so I'm sure there were things that I missed inside the Poltergeist house. If you love attention detail and don't want to miss any of it, I'd suggest attending Halloween Horror Nights more than once in a season. They do offer passes for multiple nights. And if you really want to see how they create the scares you should consider the Unmasking the Horror Tour. This a a daytime, VIP tour of multiple houses with the lights on (separate theme park admission required). This tour is definitely on my must do list for next time.

    After we completed all the houses we had the rest of the night to ourselves. We did take a little break from being scared and wandered around Diagon Alley. There are no scare actors in here so it's a great place to compose yourself before heading back into the scare zones or houses. When we were ready to call it quits we walked out a as group through multiple scare zones. Pro Tip: If someone in your group is terrified of getting caught off guard by a scare actor consider having a safe word. Ours was, "BANANA!" Anytime one of us saw something approaching our group we would shout that out.

    Halloween Horror Nights is a great event and is a lot of fun with a group of friends. If you would like more information on attending message me at gwen.dupuis@mei-travel.com. The first Halloween Horror Nights 30 is September 3, 2021. That's just around the corner.