How To Bring Your Kids On Spring Break (And Still Feel Relaxed)

Spring break is only a few weeks away and we are thrilled! I’m sure you all have some sweet vacations planned— maybe in Mexico, the Bahamas or another warm destination abroad? Your photos on Facebook and Instagram will probably make all your friends jealous, but deep down we know the truth: Traveling with kids isn’t always a vacation.

You will most likely struggle with meltdowns due to your children dealing with different schedules and experiencing new environments. If you have older kids, the meltdowns might just be expressed a little more articulately. You may think you'll get some R&R this spring break, but if you're not conscientious you might come home even more tired and miserable than before.

Last year, I planned a beautiful beach vacation that didn't turn out very beautiful with our toddler and another family. We put together a big picnic with food, tents and beach toys, but every time we tried to bring our son to the beach, he threw the biggest fit. He had no interest in any of it. We wound up walking through the streets sweating, strolling him around all day and dreaming of being on the sand.

I loved the Chevy Chase's movie "Vacation" as a child, and watching the family's vacation go wrong at every point was always entertaining, but when it comes to real life, these types of vacation pitfalls are somehow less hilarious.

Luckily, there are ways to avoid said pitfalls. Kimberly A. Morrow, author of "8 Pearls of Wisdom: A Parenting Guide: Empowering Children Is the Way to Go!," says, "The goal is to have a stress-free spring break so follow your children's regular bedtime routine and don't allow them to stay up too late, so they are less cranky."

Yes, less cranky is always good. But even with your kids on their best behavior, it can be hard to carve out time alone as a couple on your family vacation. My friend who has older kids tells me that when her kids were younger they always went to places with kids' clubs so they could drop off their little ones for a couple of hours.

Andrea Syrtash, relationship expert and author of "Cheat On Your Husband (With Your Husband)," offers some great tips for adding some romance to your family trip with your partner.

"If your hotel or home rental has a balcony or a porch, take advantage of it by enjoying a glass of wine together when the kids are sleeping," says Syrtash. "Depending on how old your kids are, suggest that they have a meal at their own table nearby so you and your partner can have adult time. Or if your hotel has a nice tub, lock the bathroom door and have a bubble bath together! Couples shouldn’t think in terms of all or nothing. Finding small moments of connection is better than no adult moments together!"

But the most important thing to remember while on your family vacations is to not sweat the small stuff.

"First and foremost, know it will not be perfect or exactly how you planned it," says therapist Dr. Dara Bushman. "Know you will forget something and YOU WILL FIGURE IT OUT. The mishaps and un-perfection are what makes the stories unique and yours."

Let's be real: Expectations are just disappointments waiting to happen. The key is to roll with all the chaos and fun and not let little things bother you. Now I just need to plan my spring break vacation. Enjoy your getaways!