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| Me on the Marina |
For the eighth year running, our family is vacationing with four other families at the FVC located at the University of California, Santa Barbara (sorry, bit of a mouthful). We stay in student dorms and eat at the cafeteria (always fresh and varied - far cry from my cauliflower-on-flabby-white-toast student days)
And the best part? Students counsellors take the kids on all sorts of adventures, leaving adults free to go surfing, paddle boarding, wine tasting, golfing, tennis-ing, hoola-hooping (latest fitness craze here) and all sorts of other nonsense involving sticky cocktails. (Don't worry, I promise to over-share my 2000 fascinating photos on Monday...) Previous posts here, here, here, here and here.
To me there is no deeper joy than seeing the kids enjoy themselves...from a distance. Which explains why every door has a sign on it: "To your best vacation since becoming parents!" The kids are out on their bikes at sparrow's dawn and we catch only glimpses of them till dusk.
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| Uh-oh, is that one of my kids? |
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| Looks like the youngest one... |
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| Whew...he didn't see me... |
How many parents don't realise that children need time away from them too? Away from the constant pressure of having someone invade your thoughts, away from that big person who watches you tie-dye thinking: "Now, how can that skill get them into a top college?"And you're only five years old!
Occasionally this week Kevin and I will feel guilty about not spending more time with the kids and hover round Cy's table at the cafeteria.
"It's okay" Cy, 8, will say kindly to us, patting our hand "You can go now."
I know lots of parents who would jump at this kind of holiday, it sounds bloody brilliant! My parents would have taken me there - and left without me!
ReplyDeleteJodie,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an absolute dream! I've got to check this out. Totally with you that kids and parents need time apart and especially the kids sometimes. My son just went to camp for a week and you would have thought he won the lotto or something!
Enjoy!
xo
Kim
I love the quote that kids needs time away from their parents...and I think that is true as kids age.
ReplyDeleteDorms? What?
Enjoy.
Yes drom rooms. Actually for grad students. They are basic but clean and spacious. We got a four bedroom with bathroom and living room.
DeleteGlad you are having fun away with the kids without the kids.
ReplyDeleteOMG I want this holiday!!
ReplyDeleteCy knows the deal. "Ace," I say. And he's only eight, you say? What will he be at 18 or 28?
ReplyDeleteSounds like an exciting vacation. Hope you've all had buckets of fun.
I want your holiday! Student doors = the best time ever :)
ReplyDeleteSounds great, it's a long way to travel for us; but notice I didn't say TOO far! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we have a Family Vacation Centre in Australia.....suppose it wouldn't be as exotic as California? Love this concept and so true about children needing time away from their parents....I remind my children of this fact on the few occasions that I get to spend time away from them.....and they seem to agree! Rx
ReplyDeleteSounds like great fun.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should try and run something like that in NZ?
Beats Beer, Beach and barbie.
BTW, Has anyone noticed that if you ignore the image of the numbers on the confirmation code page it still works?
ReplyDeleteGood to know!
Deletebeing 24 and still staying with parents gives me a headache,everything seems to be controlled even though i would say i am capable to stand on my own feet now,i mean i need a getaway sometimes from this constant pressure.but yeah i still love my parents
ReplyDeleteIt sounds wonderful! I never knew about this and I lived in So. Cal. For years :) My parents are still there. How do you sign up?
ReplyDeleteJust contact them through the UCSB site which has the FVC portion to it!
DeleteI agree! Separation is a good thing .. for both the parents and their children (no matter what age). I grew up about an hours west of Santa Barbara .. Westlake Village area. When the kids were little we used to take day trips there all the time. The Montecito area used to be a great spot to do a little boutique shopping. Not sure what it's like now. Glad you are getting away and relaxing :)
ReplyDeleteMontecito is still incredibly beautiful and lush with posh stores and restaurants, think Oprah lives there? We had a glass on champers at the Biltmore, heaven.
DeleteWow....8 yrs on the trot with other families and you are all still friends..how wonderful.....and this holiday sounds really really good....can't imagine grey old blighty would be able to offer such a good scheme sadly......
ReplyDeleteI find that time away from the kids makes me a nicer person ;o)
ReplyDeleteAsk them.
Okay--- so I don't have any kids. But I do think that parents and kids both benefit from the other having independent lives from one another.
ReplyDeleteHOpe you enjoy the vacation time!
i love this post! so true and a good reminder. as soon as mine are old enough to do this type of vaca, i'm in.
ReplyDeletep.s. hosting a fun eyeliner giveaway if you are interested!
ReplyDeletehttp://goodiesandbesties.blogspot.com/
I remember this from last year! Such a great vacation for everyone!1
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like utter bliss. These days, we practically have to bribe our two to come away with us at all!
ReplyDeleteI agree kids need their own space to grow and think but they still also live coming back to the security a family gives. Enjoy another great holiday.
ReplyDeleteHow do I get in on this deal? I'm looking to raise independent children too.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you always have fun in all your vacations!!! It is amazing to have friends who want to come with you ...
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures!!!
Have a perfect week! xoxoxo
Love it and I agree, they need time from us too!
ReplyDelete"enjoy the kids... from a distance" ha-ha-ha
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect vacation! Would you believe our county schools were supposed to start on August 6th and the Board of Educ. cancelled school indefinitely???!!! The county and the School Board are negotiating money. I am ready for MY break!!! lol
xx
maya
What can't someone do something similar here in the UK?!! I will send my kid there ASAP. No need to cook too. This is my idea of heaven. Forget about club med and all that crap. I want this! I have spent so much quality time with Lil L that I'm starting to act like the scientist who turns into the Incredible Hulk whenever he gets mad.
ReplyDeleteLove the colour of your nail varnish, Jodie!
ReplyDeleteEvery day on our hols when we were generally stuck like glue, sightseeing and travelling, there was always a period in the day when our son would shut his door and tell us he had had enough of the two of us. We were more than happy to let him go and have some parent time.
By the way, I mentioned your cycling trip on the latest BritMums travel round-up which was published yesterday xx
That really is the best part of vacationing with other friends. The kids are gone all day and it truly is a vacation. Ahhhh, at long last, right? Enjoy your time!
ReplyDeleteWow this sounds awesome and looks like lots of fun!!
ReplyDelete