[doydie]

We took our whole family on vacation last October during DGD fall break. Had a blast. I read these wondeful books about a family tradition of family vacations, especially going to the same place such as the beach. Going to the beach really pulls my heart stings. But i have these two little men that sit on each shoulder. One says 'Joyce, you know you can't keep on paying for your kids trips, meals, everything. How can they grow up and take responsibility?" The other little man is saying "Joyce, you know how much fun it will be and you will be making memories. There are ways that your kids can pull their share of the weight, such as doing all the cooking. You know you want to see your grand daughters have fun at the beach". To do it financially we would only take about 3 days. But i want to rent a each house, not a condo. I want to be right on the beach, not somewhere that you have to get everyone in two cars and drive to go. I want to be able to sit on the deck and watch the sunset. I want to smell the water and listen to the waves. But when I look at 5 bedroom homes, I just can't see letting myself do it. I know my DH would do it in a heart beat. He will do anything to spend money on his girls. It makes up for what he didn't do when they were kids. I also have one daughter that sees things like this as gifts to be accepted graciously, with excitement. The other one says Mom, you know I'm trying to teach my husband that we have to be able to live on our budget alone.

So this is my dilema. And this vacation, if I should choose to accept it has to be within a days drive from Lexington, Ky to keep from getting a hotel room on the way to and from.

[Twinkletoes]

hehe, Doydie -- sounds like the conversations DH and I have about wanting to spend time with the fam.

I say GO FOR IT!!!

[CarolM]

They say we regret what we didn't do more than we regret the things we do. If it will make YOU happy and give you life-long memories, go for it!

There are ways to cut costs. Maybe your daughters can bring the food (and cook it!). They're going to have to eat anyway. Get a 3 bedroom and let the kids "camp" in the living room in sleeping bags. See if you can rent during the week when sometimes it can be cheaper.

C

[kicker]

I get Southern Living and here are always lots of places (Kentucky is Southern) I want to go to. Perhaps a place by a lake - , Fishing, boating, swimming. A deck to sit on, everyone together. Dinners and breakfasts (a little special made) all together. I look at Earl's childhood home and love it. Us 4 siblings with spouses and children once stayed in a small house our brother rented in Cape Cod and it was wonderful. Then for years until his death from cancer, my brother rented a house there for us and the kids and stayed a few days with us. These are the kids and mine best memories. I have lots of pictures.

[Blessings2You]

I agree that you'll regret not doing it.

For the daughter who is teaching her husband responsibility: you and your husband aren't offering to support them, to pay their bills, to bail them out...you're inviting them to go with you on vacation. It's like a Christmas present, a little early.

[Kitty]

Do it for you, Doydie. If you think that's selfish.....so what! If it will make you happy, give you memories to treasure......just do it for you.

Yes, it's important to have enough money to survive...and just live comfortably. But, you can't take it with you and I'd rather spend it and the time I have here with the ones I love enjoying the time rather than fretting over how much money I'm spending. As long as the bills are paid and there is food on the table.......enjoy your family!

[SallyC]

Do it Doyds. Sounds like Myrtle Beach may be the ticket..

[doydie]

Well I had a long talk with my daughter, the one who I knew would say no. Her husband is currently unemployed but looking. If he got a job now he wouldn't be able to take a week of vacation in October, next year he will be in Afghanistan. So it looks like it will be put on hold for now. By the time son in law gets back it might be that they can financially contribute to this vacation. She is also concerned that we are spending our retirement money on them when I never know what my life will be.

thank you all for all your insight

[Kitty]

Sounds like you've got a very considerate daughter, Doydie.

[aussiemom]

Lake Cumberland is a few hours south of Lexington, it's nice. Spent many fun days there as a kid.