Family Travel: How We Make It Work
Patrick, Santi, and I recently took a mini family getaway to Ojai Valley Inn. Y’all, when I say this is exactly what we needed, I mean it. We wanted a change of scenery to reset, reconnect, and have some much needed family time. The three of us were at the family pool every day! We spent lots of time walking the grounds and just hanging out together. It was so rejuvenating.
Where We Stayed
We chose Ojai Valley Inn for a few reasons. We had been there before for a friend’s birthday party, so we knew we already liked the area. The resort, amenities, and all of the staff were absolutely incredible. Plus, they have lots of open, green space. This was an important aspect to us because we don’t have a yard at home, so having an open area to explore was a big part of the appeal. We knew we’d want lots of room to walk around and it was so relaxing.
The inn is about 2 hrs away from our home, so it’s the perfect distance for a getaway: far enough to feel refreshing and new, yet close enough for it to be an easy car ride for kids. We splurged on a suite with extra space so we didn’t have to tip-toe around when Santi went to bed at 7:30. Instead, we were free to watch tv or sit on the patio with a glass of wine without fear of waking him up.
How I Packed
Since this was meant to be a relaxing getaway, I chose outfits that I knew fit me well, felt good on, and that I already liked. I also only brought flats because the property is hilly and I knew I’d be going on walks with the stroller often. This vacation was less about what I wanted to put out into the world and more about what I wanted to pour into my family, so it wasn’t as fashion-focused than other trips usually are. It was just me feeling confident, comfortable, and relaxed with my favorite guys.
For Santi, we used the travel tips and techniques that have been working for us so far, including bringing easy-to-grab curated packing cubes and Santi’s travel crib. For more on how we’ve learned to travel with a baby, read: 6 Tips for Baby’s First Flight. I share products and tricks that work for us on a flight, at our destination, and everywhere in between — many of the tips are multitasking, even if you’re not flying!
Finding Balance
To keep this feeling like a vacation for everyone, we made sure to carve out individual time. Patrick and I took turns waking up with Santi in the mornings, so that the other parent could go to the gym or relax a little bit longer.
I spent half a day at Spa Ojai and loved every minute. The spa has its own pool and lunch area, which meant I could keep the zen-like vibes going while I ate a delicious meal and relaxed by the secluded pool. For the most part, this was a family vacation, but this was my Me Time part of the trip.
Moms—I know many of life’s daily chores continue to fall on you even while on vacation, finding balance so that YOU get a vacation, too, is so important. And not only to your own mental health, but it shows your children that taking care of yourself makes everyone around you stronger in so many ways.
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