Family Vacation WWYD: Clicky Poll

Lynn07

I think we know what we want to do for this situation, but I'm looking for a little validation here... Or a kick in the pants if I'm wrong

Here's the deal - every couple of years my dad (mostly)  pays for me and all of my siblings/step siblings and our spouses to go on vacation together with him. It is an incredibly generous thing to do and I am beyond grateful for the trips we've been on.  However, the trips are becoming more expensive, so we've started pitching in to cover costs. This past April the trip was to Hawaii and we took our boys with us. The caveat was that we payed for their airfare, our own rental car, meals out, ect. We ended up spending around $3000 (peanuts compared to the $20,000 my parents spent, but a ton to us).

 My dad is already wanting to do another trip next year, this time to Costa Rica.  He also wants us to pitch in a lot more. There are a few problems with this. 1. We won't be financially ready to cover our costs, so most of it would go on cc. 2. I don't feel super comfortable taking the boys there because the location we would be going is pretty isolated (read: no clean water, less access to medical attn, ect.) but, 3. I really don't want to be gone 8 days from the boys. It is a handful to take care of two young'ins if you're not used to it, plus I only work very PT, so we'd literally have to find someone to pay to watch them during the workday that they don't know, since the person that would watch them if they stayed would be my mom and she works during the day.

I just feel like there are too many reasons to not go that seem to outweigh the going. The only reason to go is that the rest of my siblings/dad will be there. 

[Poll]

d&a914

I voted don't go only because of the cc thing. If you could afford for just you and H to go without cc, I would say leave the kids for a week and go! But... paying for a week long vacation for the next year doesn't seem like a good idea. Sorry...

Raffes484

I voted don't go, but is there anyway just you and your DH could go for a weekend?

mayowife

I would explain to my family that I absolutely do not want to miss a family vacation because I treasure that time all together. I would further explain that there is just absolutely no way I responsibly finance the trip. I'd also add that I'm hoping there can be another family vacation closer and/or cheaper very soon because I'd love something to look forward to.

How much money would this trip cost you? I'm assuming it's A LOT in my answer above. 

SeaMama

How is spending 3k a paid for vacation? 

You have little kids - put the money in their college fund and spend a family weekend camping.  That's my 2 cents.  Sometimes you have to tell people no. 

Lynn07

Thanks for the input so far - I appreciate it! Unfortunately just DH and I going doesn't lower the cost much (I looked into it), because the room price would be the same. We'd just be paying for one less plane ticket, and the cost of having to hire someone for daycare for the week would cost nearly as much as a ticket. And shortening the trip only saves a few hundred dollars (not enough to make it affordable). I talked to my dad this afternoon and told him I just didn't think it was possible. He wants to talk more about it, but I think we've made up our mind with a little validation from TB

rgtsmom01

I only voted don't go becasue of the CC's as well.  If you can't afford it don't go or don't buy it. 

roundtheworldgirl

d&a914:

I voted don't go only because of the cc thing. If you could afford for just you and H to go without cc, I would say leave the kids for a week and go! But... paying for a week long vacation for the next year doesn't seem like a good idea. Sorry...

 This (although if the cc thing weren't an issue, I'd say take the kids with you).  But since you'd have to go into debt to do it, I think it's a no-brainer.  Don't go!

PartiallySunny

SS- ask dad if the location of the trip could be changed. Maybe pick somewhere cheaper and not so remote, at least until the LOs are older.

erbear

I only say no bc it would put you in debt. Otherwise, I would have voted go with boys