Road Trip to Florida

We made the decision to spend time with the grandparents in Florida. Flying would be too expensive so we decided to drive from Raleigh NC, to Coconut Creek FL. A road trip to Florida. Normally, our car rides are uneventful. As an experienced mom of 4, I know how to plan a long drive. The problem was my youngest never read my plans.

Our road trip to Florida started just like any other vacation. It takes a while to get going but once on the road the kids usually sleep or they entertain themselves with Game Boys or videos. We stopped in Savannah, GA to get a meal at McDonalds and that was when our uneventful vacation ride became a moment every parent remembers.

My youngest son was only 2 at the time. He loved indoor playgrounds at the fast food restaurants but slides were an occasional problem. This particular indoor playground was HUGE. Motherhood has taught me to choose my battles. When my son wanted to go down the slide by himself, I wanted to say no. However, a battle that I was not prepared or willing to engage in would have ensued. Instead, I gave him my blessing and let him go. Number one rule of traveling on vacation with kids: don't let the kid who is afraid of slides go down a large indoor slide by himself.

At first, he was fine: climbing and having fun. Then came the large slide. He decides to go down and changes his mind halfway through. There he sits, at the halfway point, unwilling to move. Now officially stuck, he does what every two-year-old does; he starts to scream for his mom. Hearing the cries for help (yes I knew immediately it was my kid), I attempted to climb up the slide to retrieve my son. These play structures are not meant for adults, especially adults my size. I am not tall, but I am heavy. Unable to reach my screaming son, I called for help. Help came by way of a 10-year-old brother.

Now everyone in the play area is staring at me. I can hear others discussing how to remedy the situation. My kid is still screaming and I feel like my parenting skills suck. The 10 year old is now attempting to rescue his brother from the slide. However, the two year old is refusing to budge. Now both kids are yelling. Finally after a long time of coaxing (it seemed like an eternity), the 10 year old grabs the younger child and brings him down the slide.

This little incident threw our timing off quite a bit. We finished our meal and then loaded up the kids and got back into the van. Although it is many years later, I still remember this vacation with my kids vividly. I love traveling on vacation with my kids. The best part of being a parent is having the unexpected incidents test you constantly. Motherhood has taught me a lot. So did this road trip to Florida.