I started hearing about these vacations about five years ago: moms going on senior trips with their sons. My first reaction was to deride the moms for their helicoptering ways and to feel sorry for the kids who had to share this first taste of freedom with their parents.
But as it’s become increasingly hard to find a hotel rental in Florida for those under 21 and with both house and car rentals often requiring renters to be 25, I started to understand
And then I did it. I went on a senior trip with three of my closest friends, and their sons, all 17 years old and graduating high school this year. Suddenly it made some sense. We all became friends when our kids were 6 years old and started playing hockey. They stayed friends, we stayed friends, and why wouldn’t I want to spend a week at a beach near Destin (specifically Santa Rosa Beach, along South Walton’s famed 30A) with some of my favorite people? Turns out, the kids thought their moms were pretty cool, too.
Before going on the trip, be sure to discuss plans with everyone involved. Who is paying for what? What rules will you have for the kids? What are the house rules?
Next, find a house rental where everyone can spread out and where there is something else to do. For example, ours had a swimming pool. Some have hot tubs, billiards, bikes. Rental sites such as Vrbo and Airbnb are good places to start, but for such a large vacation investment, I prefer to go to the source: the company that manages the house. This was my second time using Newman-Dailey (destinvacation.com), and it did not disappoint. The folks there helped me find the perfect house and were available any time if I had an issue (I did not though).
And oh, was this house perfect. At Your Leisure Luxury Vacation home, which rents for about $1,000 a night in the off-season (late April is off-season) was a perfect location. Just a block from the beach, it was also within walking distance of five restaurants and bars. None of them was directly on the beach though; you have to go farther west toward Destin for those.
Each of the four moms had her own bedroom and bathroom. The boys shared two bedrooms and a bathroom. The kitchen was huge, the dining table seated 12, and I’m pretty sure the giant sectional would have, too.
Newman-Dailey also has a Be Rewarded Program, which offers one free adult pass daily to a variety of activities and attractions, including dolphin cruises, parasailing, golf, Big Kahunas Waterpark, the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and more. In addition, most rentals include complimentary seasonal beach service with two chairs and an umbrella set up on the beach each day of your stay.
The small backyard had a small pool, which we paid to heat, and that turned it into a hot tub on chilly April nights. With a couch, a high top, a TV, a grill and some fun pool lights, we turned it into a mini party.
The first night of our stay, after a couple of hours on the beach, we decided to stay in. We had ordered groceries online and had them delivered. The house, which is three levels, has an elevator. We sent the groceries from the bottom floor to the kitchen on the second floor in the elevator. We grilled burgers, made a little charcuterie board and brownies. Then we played card games and board games. It was a fun way to connect as a group before we went our separate ways.
Give the kids their own activities
Our boys love to golf, so we arranged for them to go on two golf outings without us. Because they couldn’t drive the rental car, we dropped them off and picked them up each time...
Read the full story and all Amy's tips in Amy's article in St. Louis Post Dispatch. Not a subscriber? No problem. Read her article in New Brunswick News (no subscription needed).