Intimacy and travel with kids. The two don’t sound like they go together.
We all like the idea of a family holiday, packing a few clothes, getting in the car for a road trip or on a plane for a flight with the kids.
To arrive at your idyllic accommodation that you chose just right for your family. Where you will spend hours frolicking in the water/snow, riding bikes, building sand castles/snowmen, watching a few movies and finding some fun things to do with kids in your destination.
With all that fun and relaxation you’re likely to feel that bit more amorous.
But what can you do?
How do you get intimacy when you travel with kids?
10 Tips to have Intimacy and Travel with Kids.
1. Acceptance
First things first. You have to accept that you are now a family, not just a couple. You can’t nip off for a quickie whenever the moment strikes.
Just like when you are at home, you will have to co-ordinate your activities around the kids.
2. Choose accommodation with separate bedrooms
The easiest way to solve much of the problem when you travel with kids is to ensure you choose accommodation that has separate bedrooms, eg. a chalet, apartment or villa.
Now you have some privacy should the kids stir or wake.
But what happens if you are camping, caravanning or all sharing a room.
3. Put up a screen
If you have your own caravan or tent rig up a curtain (or similar) across your sleeping area to create a bit of privacy.
Or if you are in a hotel, perhaps drape some towels/spare blankets across the chairs in your room, then place them between your child’s bed and yours.
4. Stay covered
If you’re all in the room together then you may feel more comfortable if you just keep the sheet over yourselves should the little ones wake up. Waking up to see Mummy and Daddy doing strange things could scare the poor little one.
Plus you won’t feel so embarrassed at being caught out.
5. Keep the volume down
Noise is one of the things that often wakes kids, and intimacy can bring about some strange loud noises. So keep yourselves in check.
6. Make use of nap time
Of course you don’t have to wait for the evening if your kids have an afternoon nap. Need I say more 😉 ?
7. Utilise kids clubs
If your concerned about the kids being in the room, then make sure you choose accommodation where the kids can be kept safely occupied for a few hours without you.
Pop them in the kids club (even camping grounds have them now) and enjoy the tranquillity of no kids.
8. Get creative
Or you can spice it up and get a little creative.
Remember those days when you were first dating and heading away on little getaways. You would both enjoy the plunge pool or outdoor spa … naked … together.
Well make use of the extra facilities that your room may include or even the oversized bath – you will still be there for the kids if necessary, but you will have the freedom to be yourselves.
9. Don’t be shy
Don’t be shy about showing affection to each other around your children. It’s OK to have a kiss and cuddle in front of them – it even shows them that you love each other.
Plus it’s a great way to get those loved up feelings starting to build. Just keep yourselves in check and save further affections for later.
10. Have fun
Don’t forget you are on holidays, so keep your sense of humour if it all goes a little pair shaped.
How have you found intimacy when you travel with kids?
This is awesome! Sometimes it can be tricky but we always try to make some time for intimacy when on holidays. Sometimes it is just cuddles and kisses in front of the kids.
Exactly Malinda, it doesn’t have to always be all or nothing.
Thanks for joining in #wednesdaywanderlust xx
Pleasure Malinda, I’m really enjoying the Linky
We are thinking about an extended caravanning trip with our kids and this was something that crossed my mind! All that stress-free relaxation…
As a child I grew up caravanning with my parents JM. It is only now that I am an adult that I understand why my parents had a curtain strung up in front of their sleeping area as well as ours (which was to keep out the light in the evenings).
Oh we definitely need some help in this department. We’ve only been on two holidays so far with the kids.The first one miss three at the time slept with us and the second holiday all four of us were in a cramped room together. Definitely a little too close for comfort! Hopefully we’ll plan better for our next holiday 🙂
Oh and visiting via #teamIBOT too 🙂
It certainly is tricky trying to get the right fit for your family Renee, whilst we often share a room with our son I always insist that he has his own bed.
Ah yes I am only too familiar with this dilemma – we travelled Australia in a caravan when our kids were 5 and 7! 😉
Ah yes Janet, the rocking caravan 😛
Great tips. We are currently caravanning with three kids in tow. We had a midnight rendezvous on the beach one night, it was incredibly romantic. All about thinking outside the box. Thanks for sharing
Sounds very reminiscent of early dating days, Rhianna. A fun way to add a bit spark.
The honest answer is that intimacy is non-existent with kids, unless you get the separate room. We had a lovely trip to New York with our then 8 year old and 18month old – we ended up in bed by 9pm in the same room – there was no ‘nightlife’ of any description. Our daughter is now 11 an son 5 so I think we need to bite the bullet with separate rooms if we can afford it.
I think as the kids get older and start staying up later, you definately need to start thinking about separate rooms or getting creative as Rhianna from “A Parenting Life” commented she did.
This is one thing we don’t have to worry about when we go on holiday because we don’t have kids, but I think these are cracking tips for people who do. I think the old adage is true “where there’s a will, there’s a way!”
Very true Sammie
Ha good tips, thanks!
We just had 3 weeks away in NZ and could’ve used some of this advice! We did have separate bedrooms, but I generally had our 18 month old in bed with me, and hubby bunked in with the 3 yr old. Not a very romantic holiday by any stretch of the imagination!!
No that definitely does not sound romantic. Next time prep the kids with where they will be sleeping and advise they are expected to stay there just like at home.
Great tips Sally. We’ll be heading off to the US soon for just over three weeks and sharing rooms with the kids for some of that period. Kids club is definitely factoring into our plans!!!!
I’m so glad you found some of the tips will help benefit your up and coming trip Kirsty.
Great post – not something that people often think about. Apartments and/or resorts with kids clubs are so important when travelling with kids – or travelling with friends and/or family so you can swap babysitting duty.
Great idea about swapping baby sitting duties Bronnie.