Spring Break With Stepkids - Lessons Learned

This year was our year to have the kids for spring break. To say I was stressed was an understatement!

Our first stretch of travel was 14 hours. We would be in The Middle of Nowhere, Texas for several days hunting. Then another 3 hour drive to San Antonio, where we would spend a couple days. Then about 16 hours back home.

All the things were going through my mind. How much things could go wrong. The kids absolutely hating the vacation. Me not having any alone time.

Since I work nights, the plan was for me to take Saturday night off, I would sleep all day on Saturday after getting off work. I would then drive all night Saturday night through Sunday morning.

Well, my body had other plans. Because of the amount of stress and anxiety I built up, I ended up calling in sick to work Thursday night, and going home early on Friday night.

So, the start of spring break came. Clothing, rifles, toys, books, laptop, and snacks were loaded up into the truck. Kids were picked up, and we were off.

And guess what? While there was stressful times during the trip, overall it was great! And lessons were learned by all!

1) Things Won’t Go As Planned. And That’s OK!

To say nothing went as planned is kind of an understatement. But, even the worst fails on plans turned into fun times.

The Hunting Plan

The hope was that SS would get an animal on either the first night or the first morning of the hunting segment. It wasn’t until the last day hunting that he and I both got an animal.

And guess what? He kept at it. He was excited. And when he finally got his animal, he learned a lesson in patience and the value of reward!

The Swimming Plan

Additionally, I spent hours trying to find a hotel in San Antonio that had a swimming pool. Unfortunately, when we got to the hotel, I discovered that it was closed.

SS was crushed.

Honey and I spent about an hour sitting in the hotel parking lot trying to find a hotel with a swimming pool. But everything was booked due to spring break.

I wanted to cry because I was certain I had failed everyone.

But, we ended up going to Chuck E. Cheese, and it turned out we didn’t even need to have a pool at the hotel.

Six Flags Was Mostly Closed

I am so thankful I got incredibly discounted Six Flags tickets!

Half the rides were closed because of the extreme cold Texas had. The rides that were open had lines of 90+ minutes. I only rode 3 rides.

But, at the end of the day, SS said it was the best day ever. It didn’t matter to him that we didn’t get to go on many rides, he had a blast on what he got to ride!

2) Long Trips are Possible with Kids

Ok, we all know that car trips with kids are exhausting and difficult. But they are possible!

Plan ahead, plan for what may go wrong. And be as prepared as possible.

Check out my post Traveling With Kids for 5 tips on what we did to help make the trip easier.

3) We Are a Family

I think one of the biggest take aways is that, despite being “blended” we ARE a family.

This trip really allowed us to make memories of us, to bond, and to become a more solid family unit. SS and SD became closer with me, and learned to trust me more.

Was it an easy trip? No. There were times I wanted to hide. Times I wanted to cry. Times I wanted to just go home and be alone. But, we did it. And we are a better family, and better people, for it.

Bonus - Stressing Does Nothing But Make You Sick

Like I said, because I was so stressed out about the trip, I made myself sick.

Why worry about what can go wrong? It will do nothing. Focus on what you can control, what can go right, and the fun that can be had!