We’re currently in the home stretch of the summer. The thoughts about the upcoming school year are creeping their way into our heads, and our family vacation has come and gone. A COVID vacation is certainly different but should making a few concessions in order to still have some relaxation and bonding time with the family really be considered the “sacrifices” that some believe they are?
We packed up the car with our bags, and enough supplies to feed and clothe an army for a month and headed to our time-honored family stomping grounds in Lake George, New York. We’ve stayed at the same place a number of times. It’s across the street from an amusement park, and the hotel itself houses an indoor waterpark for those rainy or just lazy days.
The hints that this vacation would be different started fairly early. About a month before our actual stay, the hotel contacted us to inform everyone that the indoor waterpark hours would be cut essentially in half. Not opening until late afternoon. They sighted a lack of personnel, mainly lifeguards as the reason and offered a discounted stay or free cancellation as a way to say sorry.
Two days before our stay, we were contacted again because the amusement park (under the same ownership as the hotel) would now be closed two days a week because of staffing issues. This time we were given a
$100 credit that could be used in the hotel and adjoining restaurant.
To be honest, I was a little upset at first, but really, all it meant was some extra money saved at the expense of a little extra planning and time management. Not a big deal at all.
The biggest bummer for me was the restaurant right off of the hotel lobby was closed. Which also meant the bar was closed. However, not wasting money on beer while my kids ran around the arcade/lobby was probably for the better.
On a whole, vacation went smoothly. Went on a boat ride, played mini-golf, and ate way too much ice cream. Sacrifices, Concessions, and a Little Bit of Pee
There’s a point to be made about all this. Occasionally, especially in these times, we have minor inconveniences pop up and we often overreact to the situation. I’m especially guilty of it myself, but sometimes, I think we need to just take a step back to reassess. Did everything go according to plan? Of course not… It never does. However, we had a blast and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world.
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While we’re talking about things going as planned, a story…
Parenting is often unpredictable. One minute you’re enjoying coffee and watermelon on the back deck, and the next your two-year-old is crying because they pissed all over the kitchen floor, stomped in it like it was a rain puddle, then promptly slipped and busted their butt in said urine. As the responsible adult(s), it’s now your job to pick them up and make sure they’re okay, isolate and clean their pee-covered body, and make sure the “spill” doesn’t spread any further before you clean the mess.
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