Familymoons Are the Next Best Thing For Parents Who Recently Got Married
You may not have envisioned years ago having a honeymoon that included your own children, or that doing so and still having a romantic time together was even remotely possible.
What you probably had in mind was spending days on end at a Caribbean all-inclusive resort with the love of your life, sinking blissfully into the reality of your new union. You two, as part of this romantic escape, would soak in the passion of the islands, fall deeper in love while sipping Pina Coladas on a dreamy white-sand beach… you know, the whole shebang.
Your vision probably did not involve kids at that time, but today it might.
The good news? With Beaches all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean offering families the ultimate familymoon — family honeymoons that include children — your romantic getaway can be more than just a dreamy fantasy, and still involve your children.
There’s no need to drop your kids off at grandma’s for the week, if you don’t want to. Celebrate your love with the family!
What is a familymoon exactly?
A familymoon is a honeymoon that includes your children. It might seem surprising to some that parents would even want kids around during such an intimate time, but familymoons are more popular than you might think.
Couples who have kids prior to being married and in particular couples with younger kids, sometimes opt to take the children along on their honeymoon. Going on a familymoon has many pluses, including allowing your children to be part of the celebration.
In recent times, resorts seem to be catching up to the increasing popularity of familymoons, which means you’ll have lots of options to choose from when planning your own.
Insider tip: A familymoon at Beaches Resorts includes things like gourmet dining at its best, unlimited free cocktails and house wines for adults, a waterpark and plenty of activities for the kids, as well as an arcade and games room. Want to spend the evening with just the two of you? Beaches Resorts’ certified nannies are ready when you need them!
Why go on a familymoon?
While some newlyweds with kids struggle to make the decision on who will be taking care of the rugrats while on honeymoon, others are already packing their bags and getting set for an exciting familymoon with the children in an exotic destination not too far from the States.
For some newlywed couples it’s just much easier to take their kids on their honeymoon than to organise a care-taker. In addition, a familymoon allows the children to be a bigger part of the ‘getting married’ experience.
For blended families especially, these getaways can provide an opportunity for kids from either side to get to know each other a bit better in a peaceful, neutral and fun zone, which can help speed up the bonding process. Everyone involved gets to create memories as a new family together, while the newlyweds get to enjoy quality time as well.
Did you know? The Turks & Caicos Islands are only a 1 hour and 45 minute flight from U.S. shores and are home to one of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world: Grace Bay beach. These are just two reasons to have a honeymoon in Turks & Caicos (with or without the rest of the family!).
Tips for going on your familymoon
Get adjoining rooms
Look for adjoining rooms (if the kids are old enough to stay in their own) or a family suite with separate bedrooms. This ensures you and your spouse will still have plenty of privacy despite taking the kids along for the ride.
Don’t be afraid to be affectionate
Holding hands, hugging, complimenting each other openly, saying ‘I love you…’, and otherwise expressing your love and appreciation for your spouse on your familymoon is perfectly alright.
As long as you both keep things G-rated, showing affection in front of the kids can actually be beneficial to their development, as it shows them what a healthy relationship should look like. Seeing you two being affectionate can also help kids feel safer, more secure and loved.
Show lots of love to the whole family
In addition to you and your spouse being affectionate with each other, you’ll also need to make some time to show the kids some extra love as you all set off on a familymoon.
This is especially-so if two families are being combined — adults on either end will need to show equal parts of love to all kids in the new family dynamic. If you’re remarrying or getting married for the first time to someone with their own children, reassure your own kids that your love for them has not changed. All of the above can help make a familymoon more comfortable and memorable for everyone.
Hire a nanny to get some ‘alone time’
Getting a nanny or babysitter is a great idea when going on a familymoon. This can help ensure the kids are well cared for while parents get out to have some fun, whether that involves a spa date, or a candlelight dinner on the beach.
Go somewhere relaxing and safe
For a familymoon, set your sights on a family-friendly accommodation not too far from home, where kids will have more than enough activities to occupy their time. You’ll want to book a place where your children can roam around in a safe environment, so you don’t have to worry about their whereabouts all the time.
Tip: Beaches Resorts have tons of fun things for kids to do on the resort grounds, including age appropriate activities at Kids Camps, Sesame Street characters, splashing around at the Pirates Island Waterpark, and so much more. Even teens won’t get bored at Beaches Resorts, offering unlimited land and water sports, swim-up soda bars, and a night club experience catered just for them! The best part? It’s all included in the booking price.
Make time for each other post honeymoon
There’s no doubt about it, traveling with your kids can be a fulfilling experience no matter the occasion - but also tiring. Once you’re done with your familymoon, you may want to spend some time alone with your spouse to celebrate your marriage in a quieter way. When you all are back home, you can get a friend or family member to watch the kids, while you two get away or spend a night or two alone as a couple.
Doing this will allow you both to unwind from the vacation, and enjoy each other’s company.
Best familymoon destinations near the U.S.
When looking for the ideal familymoon destination, look in the direction of tropical islands that are family-friendly and not too far from home. Ensure there’ll be enough things both kids and adults can do to have a good time.
For blended families, a familymoon might be the first trip away together, so choose a destination that’ll be memorable. Some options include theme parks, big city getaways, and all-inclusive beach resort vacations. Your ideal choice of a place to go will combine elements of relaxation, fun, and adventure, mixed in with lots of romance for the happy couple!
Also read: Family vacation ideas to make memories that last a lifetime.
Beaches Turks and Caicos
View this family friendly all-inclusive resort in Turks & Caicos
Beaches Turks & Caicos is a dream for families. As sunny as it is luxurious, this all-inclusive resort in the Turks & Caicos Islands includes five themed ‘villages’ that mirror the essence of Italy, France, the Caribbean and Key West. Beaches Turks & Caicos also includes a 45,000 square-foot waterpark, a whopping 21 gourmet restaurants, a gorgeous 12-mile beach, 10 swimming pools, and the list goes on.
Families can expect to find endless activities for kids and adults at this resort, much like all Beaches properties, and this includes Kids Camps, adventures with Sesame Street characters, Club Liquid for the older kids, a spa, and so much more!
This all-inclusive resort on the stunning Grace Bay beach (voted the World’s #1 Best Beach by TripAdvisor Traveler) will certainly leave you and the kids with lasting memories in paradise!
Beaches Negril in Jamaica
View this family friendly all-inclusive resort in Negril
Beaches Negril is a great choice for any kind of vacation and it is a top choice for honeymoons in Jamaica with the family as this is a resort already accustomed to hosting weddings and other celebrations for couples and their families.
Beaches Negril was recently renovated. Much like the wider Negril area, this resort is laid back, fun and elegant. Families will love the fact that this resort is located on one of the most beautiful beaches in Jamaica — Seven Mile Beach. The extensiveness of this sandy strand will mirror the amazing and endless inclusions you and your family will get to enjoy during your stay at Beaches including a waterpark with lazy river, numerous pools, swim up soda bars, gourmet restaurants, and so much more.
Beaches Ocho Rios
View this family friendly all-inclusive resort in Ocho Rios
Spend time doing the things you love with the people you care about most during an exciting familymoon at Beaches Ocho Rios. This intimate family resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica promises something for every member of the family, and delivers. Guests can enjoy everything from the Pirates Island Water Park which includes ginormous water slides, to a championship golf course where the whole family can tee off. This resort has been voted among the Top 10 Best Beach Resorts by Parents magazine, and once you arrive you’ll see why.
Would you take your kids on a honeymoon they’ll never forget?
When most people think about honeymoons, these usually involve two people flying off to the Caribbean islands. These days it’s not unheard of for newlywed parents to bring their kids along, however. If you’re ready to get away and celebrate your new found love, consider bringing your kids along for the ride, and make memories together as a family.
