I had never really thought about taking a vacation without children, so this is a question I always ask other people. But years ago, when I used to cut hair, I had very little vacation time, and when I was about to go on my rare vacation, clients would ask, “Hey where ya going on vacation?”. I would tell them I was going here or there with my kids and they were going to love it.

They would almost always reply with “Oh you’re taking your taking your kids!”. I mean why wouldn’t I? I was always surprised at how many people would leave their kids at home or take them on small trips. Not me, I brought my kids where ever I was going. (Now, this is an opinion piece, and I’m not trying to say that I am right and people that leave their kids at home are wrong, this is just an observation.)

So back to the question at hand “why take your kids on vacation”? Well, the most straightforward answer is this: when you take your kids on vacation with they get 100% of your attention and in return, you get 100% of theirs. That’s it right?

Think about this, think about your work week, your weekend, and think about your kids’ week. Think about all of the things that go into a week work, commuting, school, youth sports, homework, making dinner, all of those things. Now, how much time do we get with our kids? I love hanging out with my kids, and now I have a granddaughter, and I want to spend as much time as I can with them. So my answer is a vacation. There are no distractions, no work, no homework, nothing getting between you and spending time with your loved ones. Your kids have all of your attention, and in return, you get all of theirs.

I would also say most of my best travel moments happen with my kids. I have tried taken them all over, and plan on going to more places around the world with them. Now with my granddaughter, I get to take a kid to more places. We have gone to the standard Disneyland which is no big deal because we are a Disney family, but it’s also a big deal because we are a Disney family. (I will explain Disney in a later article.)

But we have been to Disney a lot. We have traveled to Mexico, Hawaii, National Parks, and lots of little road trips. Surfing with my daughter in Hawaii. Diving in Hawaii with my son. Visiting Disney characters with my granddaughter. Wandering around the jungle in Mexico. I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything. My time with my kids are my greatest moments, and I get to share my knowledge and things that interest me with my kids.

I believe one of my most memorable moments was the first time I took my son to Hawaii. We spent the whole week snorkeling and sightseeing. He wanted so badly to see an eel, and every day we swam through the surf but had no luck finding the eel. I was looking so hard just so that he could see one.

On last day we decided to go snorkeling in Napili Bay. We managed to make our way to the pointed end on the left side of the bay and were about the start crossing the bay when he took off underwater. He was getting so excited and pointed at a rock several times, and sure enough, he found an eel. The joy on his face was priceless. He probably could have walked on water he was so elated to see that eel. It was a great moment, and I was lucky enough to catch it on video.

I think all people who take their kids on vacation will have similar stories under their story-telling belts. And that’s what it’s all about. Just a few moments that last forever in your mind and the mind of your kids. So just a reminder to just to enjoy your kids. They grow up so fast. My oldest is 24, my youngest is 16, and my granddaughter is almost six so my days with them are slowly becoming numbered. We are always planning our next family vacation, and I’ll keep taking them until I can’t go anymore. So remember. Take your kids with you and give them all the attention they deserve. Happy travels and most importantly: don’t forget your camera!