Poor Big P.—a prisoner of the commercial snowplow business in New England—was left behind as Mother and Child bade him farewell at Logan Airport and set off with friends for sunny Aruba.
My agenda was simple: relax, reconnect, and enjoy our moments together. No plans, just high hopes for experiencing the local culture and cuisine. What an opportunity for Little P.! Our great, big world is shrinking all the time. I want us to embrace the opportunity to learn about new places, and eat what the locals eat! Well…you know what they say about the best-laid plans.
In the wee hours of our first night, Little P. bolted awake with an upset stomach. While a thunderous rainstorm raged outside, his little belly fought its battle against an airplane “delicacy” (I use the term loosely!) ingested earlier. Not surprisingly, I found myself worn-out and exhausted, sitting on the hotel bathroom floor at 3 a.m. With Little P. finally purged and asleep in my lap I wondered, “Where the bleep is my perfect vacation now?!?”
You may now realize that I thrive on control. What to do in the midst of all this chaos??? I decided to go with the Anti-Kim approach. Instead of micro-managing—I just let it all go.
I handled each situation as it arose. Upset stomach? Small sips of water, bland food, and a little support from the fabulous staff at the Radisson Aruba. (Special thanks to them for the 2 a.m. pharmacy run and doing our laundry!) The following rainy day? Indoor kids’ club activities, iPod movies, and wet races on the beach.
As for my exhaustion? Where better to recover and reconnect with my boy than Aruba? Things never seem quite as bad when you are on vacation, and anyway isn’t Aruba known as the Happy Island? The Arubian secret may be a slower pace to life, friendly people who really care about other’s happiness, and some of Mother Nature’s finest balm to the soul—large doses of warm, sunny weather.
Don’t get me wrong. This is just a small snippet in an otherwise amazing week away. We hit the beaches, soaked up the sun and splashed in azure waters. We ate at local restaurants recommended by our taxi drivers and were rewarded with delicious meals. We made new friends—from Aruba, the U.S. and beyond. Oh yeah, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Traveling with kids is an incredible opportunity to teach them about the world and to teach them how to cope with things that do happen out there on the road. We have a saying in our family: “Different can be good.” If I want my family to experience new things, I must remember to take the good with the bad and take it all gracefully as little eyes are watching. By keeping a positive and relaxed mindset even when things go wrong, I can help that different experience to become a good one.
And when all else fails, and I’m nearing the end of my rope…here is my final "traveling with kids" survival secret: A frozen drink with fancy fruit never hurts.☺
MY FAMILY-FRIENDLY FOOD FAVORITES IN ARUBA:
Chef’s Table: A newer offering, just a short cab ride away from Orangestad. The food was honestly the best we ate all week, and the setting is beautiful yet casual enough for children accustomed to restaurants. The chef will prepare any meal for your child for about $10.00 US. Little P. enjoyed seared yellow fin tuna and risotto. The staff was well trained and genuinely friendly. I will go back.
Don Carlos: Terrific outdoor location at the Orangestad marina, and a nice menu to boot. Italian favorites and a few local specialties round out the menu. Skip the dessert, and walk through the town for an ice cream and sightseeing.
El Gaucho: The islands perennial favorite has earned the title for a reason. The restaurant offers rousing fun crowds, a game arcade, and big portions even on the kids’ menu. A reservation is a must, and so are some loose single dollar bills—to tip the roving guitar players as they belt out your little one’s favorite tune! “Volare…oh, oh”
Azzuro: Located inside the Playa Linda, this is the sister restaurant to the always popular Gianni’s. With an intimate atmosphere, homemade authentic Italian dishes, and pleasant staff, you could make this the spot for romantic/family night. The chef will make you a simply adorned dish for children as requested.
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