Work Trips

From The Confessional: ‘I Don’t Take My Kids On Vacation’

Relaxing getaway? Not so much...

by Emma Coburn
Emma Chao/Scary Mommy; Getty Images

Happy New Year! If you’re just getting back to the grind after a family trip, chances are you’re feeling... like you could use a real vacation. A few readers who submitted anonymous confessions about traveling with the whole family had positive things to say — but most of them were of the opinion that “vacation” with kids is more of the usual craziness, just in a different, usually less convenient location. Here are 28 people’s honest thoughts about trips with the fam.

Scary Mommy Confessions are a tried-and-true part of what makes our site so fun. If you want to anonymously confess, please tell all through the link here. And if you want to browse past Confessions, head here.

It’s not a vacation, it’s a work trip.

Confessional #82365463

Nightmare sharing room with 3yo. Rather be at home.

Confessional #88327382

Husband is more of a PIA than the kids 🤣 

Confessional #89090475

being around smug team no-kid relatives makes me want to scream

Confessional #82546273

I feel punished for having a family of 5. Hotels are a joke. Family passes are for 4. WTH!

Confessional #81092839

We are one and done, and seeing families with multiples on vacation gives me anxiety

Confessional #87543627

I wish we’d stayed home because it was AWFUL, but we did it for my parents who paid.

Confessional #87849586

Same work- or maybe more!- different location & not familiar where anything is!

Confessional #80293847

I’d rather take a vacation by myself

Confessional #89987647

So much work for me! I get jealous seeing my hubby relax while I wrangle the kids

Confessional #87849586

The finest resort still feels like camping when kids are in tow.

Confessional #87654631

Kids ruin every fam vacation. Someone is always unhappy with the plan - ALWAYS

Confessional #81192834

As a single mom, my kids keep me company on vacation, I’m grateful even if it can be tiring.

Confessional #89987465

I’d rather go on a trip with my girlfriends than anyone I’m related to.

Confessional #84565647

I’m like the family travel agent who also goes on the trip to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Confessional #81384723

Vacationed with husband, in-laws and 2 kids. Felt like I had 5 kids.

Confessional #87264736

We love them! And the kids love them more than they like getting gifts 🙌 

Confessional #83434526

It would be more of a vacation if my family just went without me and I stayed home in silence

Confessional #80965473

I’d rather leave my husband at home and just go with my kids

Confessional #89402938

It’s not really a “vacation” it’s just watching your children in a different location

Confessional #88756347

I’m a SAHM and vacations feel more like a job I didn’t know I was applying for. I work the entire time

Confessional #86647382

Never get a room near or above the pool area. You’ll be swimming 24/7.

Confessional #85546473

I “accidentally” booked myself a seat a few rows away from my family on a flight.

Confessional #89356748

I don’t take my kids on vacation because it’s too stressful for all parties involved.

Confessional #82663747

It is not a vacation, it’s a trip! Same *hit different place

Confessional #88989675

Hate them, dread them, always force fake happiness so much that it’s so exhausting! 😅

Confessional #81218928

I refuse to go with in-laws overnight

Confessional #89927365

We call them type B fun. Not necessarily fun at the time, but is a happy memory 🤷🏻‍♀️

Confessional #81920938