Used to pack a bag on Friday and just road trip wherever. No plans, no reservations, just drive. Now I've got a mortgage, two kids in school, and I plan my life 3 months in advance. There's definitely something I miss about that freedom but having a real home base with family waiting for me is different. Better in some ways. Sometimes I still feel trapped though. Anyone else feel that tension?
You can still get some of that spontaneity back though. We do surprise day trips on the weekends and pack the car the night before. It's not the same as no plans but it scratches the itch.
I get the stability part for sure. With three kids here in Omaha, our backyard's become our adventure now - we do day trips, find new parks, that kind of thing. Not quite the same but it scratches the itch without the logistics nightmare.
Man, I feel this already and my daughter's only a few months old. Those spontaneous road trips sound amazing but honestly I'm starting to get excited about planning family stuff instead. Maybe you can do a mini version with the kids once they're old enough?
I get this so much. We used to do those random road trips all the time and honestly I kind of miss it. But there's something nice about knowing the kids have structure now instead of just living out of the van every weekend.
I feel this. Miss the days of just going wherever but honestly the stability is making my co-parenting schedules easier to manage. Can't just disappear for a week anymore.
Sign in to join the conversation.
The trade off is real. We still do road trips but now I'm planning them weeks ahead and we hit specific state parks the kids want to see. Different vibe but still pretty good.