A mother admitted on the parenting forum Mumsnet that she secretly prefers staying home over going on family vacations with her children. She explained that traveling with kids feels more exhausting than relaxing, saying it often leaves her feeling like she needs another vacation just to recover.
In her post, the mom described her frustration with trying to manage meals, packing, and endless activity planning while away from home.
"I can’t be the only one who finds family holidays more like work than rest," she wrote.
She pointed out that home life offers more control and fewer logistics, whereas vacations tend to amplify stress rather than ease it.
Many users on the forum agreed, sharing similar experiences and confessing that trips with small children rarely feel restful. Some parents said they now prefer weekend breaks or solo getaways to recharge, leaving kids with relatives when possible.
The discussion highlighted how modern parents struggle to balance quality time with their kids and personal downtime. Experts often emphasize that taking genuine rest is essential for mental health—even if that means skipping a family trip.
"Sometimes the best vacation is the one you don’t take," one commenter summarized, earning widespread agreement.
Author’s Summary: Many parents confessed that family vacations can feel more tiring than staying home, showing how the quest for rest often conflicts with parental responsibilities.