Communal living

Whisler, BC, image courtesy of BClimo.ca

I have been slow on blogging of late, as I am out in BC on holiday - in Vancouver visiting my parents and currently in Whistler skiing with a great group of friends.

This is our 8th annual ski trip with the same friends. We started the trip when we were all single partiers, but now we have found that the format of the trip works beautifully with kids. We rent a big chalet and each couple is assigned to cook a dinner one night during the week. We have a breakfast team and a sandwich team for lunches. The trip is planned with equal rigour. One friend researches locations and accomodations, my husband is responsible for land and ground transportation, I am responsible for food, and we have an entertainment committee. It is a logistical symphony!

We do a similar trip each year in Prince Edward County in the fall. Before our kids were born we would spend our days cycling the wineries. Now, with kids (this year we had 8 altogether!) our plans are less agressive, and we focus more on good hanging out time.

Prince Edward County, near Picton, Ontario

I have found that communal living is the best way to travel if you have kids and you suffer from FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). ....you can put young kids down for naps and still hang out with all your friends. In contrast, hotel based vacations result in one parent having to sit in a dark room in the middle of the day while their children sleep...no fun.

How do you travel with your kids?