Guess what? I have Spring Break FOMO this year! I'm not really sure why Spring Break has hit me differently this time around. Dylan and Samantha have been out of the house for many years, and Spring Break has been behind us for quite some time. But this year, I truly feel like an empty nester. Seeing others visit the store and hotel during their Spring Break brings back so many memories of our own family trips every March.
When our kids were young, we’d start planning our Spring Break trip right after the New Year. From Mexico to Florida to the Caribbean, the common theme was always a beach. March in Colorado meant snow and cold, so we were constantly in search of warm weather and ocean waves.
For many years, our travels included visits to Florida or California to see grandparents—and often a day or two at Disneyland or Disney World. Long before the days of FastPasses and in-app reservations, we literally waited hours in line just to get that one treasured hug from their favorite character. Watching my kids with the Disney Princesses and Superheroes is still one of my favorite memories.
As the years went on, and they got older, Universal Studios and roller coasters became more exciting than Disney characters. Since neither Brent nor I are much for thrill rides, we spent a lot of time waiting for them to finish. But our favorite addition to the parks? Harry Potter World! We could sit in the English pub with a beer while they rode Dueling Dragons over and over. Not only were these trips special family time, but they also gave our kids precious memories with their grandparents—ones that will never be forgotten.
Samantha had one must-do on every trip: get a hair braid! No matter where we went, she’d find a street vendor to braid her hair. The braid would last for months, and she was always so sad when we finally had to cut it out. Her scrapbooks are filled with pictures of those braids—and yes, I think we even saved one to add to the book!
Dylan? He didn’t care where we went, as long as there was a pool or an ocean.
Eventually, as they grew up and graduated, Spring Breaks became trips they took with friends—and our family spring breaks became a thing of the past. That is, until a few years ago, when Samantha asked me to go on a trip with her during her Spring Break. That trip turned out to be one of my all-time favorites!
London had always been on Samantha’s bucket list. With her love of history—and in the midst of her Master’s program—she had a strong desire to visit. Now, let’s be clear: I love warm vacations, and the thought of London in the middle of March was "not" my idea of a good time. Pay money to be cold? No thank you! But the chance to spend a week with my daughter? Totally worth it—and I’m so thankful I went. Watching Samantha discover and explore a place she’d only read about was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever experienced as a mom.
Now, let’s talk about this year’s Spring Break. Who’s going on a trip? Dylan! Yep—he’s off on a Spring Break adventure with a friend. A trip he found, planned, and best of all—paid for himself. I guess that’s the official push into full empty nester status. I’m no longer needed for planning or packing. Does it make me a little sad? Yes. But mostly, it makes me proud—so proud of my kids for growing up and spreading their wings.
And you know what that also means? Brent and I can now start planning our own trips—to places "we" want to explore. We can travel in the off-season, when it’s not Spring Break and the crowds aren’t wild. I can sit by the pool with a cocktail and a good book.
While I wouldn’t trade a single Spring Break memory with my family—and while I might be feeling a "little" Spring Break FOMO watching everyone head off on their trips—I know there’s a whole new world of adventures ahead. And who knows? Maybe not all of them will be on the beach.
Pro Tip:
One of my favorite travel traditions when the kids were younger was putting together a "surprise bag" for the trip. Usually a backpack filled with small, new goodies for the plane or car ride—things they hadn’t seen yet and could keep them entertained. Each year was a little different based on their interests at the time, but it always included a book, a game, a new CD for their walkman (remember those?), a toy, and of course… snacks. "Lots" of snacks!
If you're planning a trip this month, we’ve got tons of great travel-friendly items in-store to keep your little ones happy and busy on the go. Here are just a few ideas!
Where are you headed this Spring Break?
