Being the divorced Dad of two teenage daughters has its trials and tribulations. I guess being the Dad of teenage daughters has challenges regardless of marital status, but for me the next couple of years are so very important. It is not only a very special time, but a crucial period for me and my girls with regard to our relationship and the memories they will take with them as they evolve from girls to women.

I thought long and hard about where to go on vacation for February mid-winter break when I get the only annual guaranteed full week with my girls. They are no longer little girls who get excited at the prospect of Disney for a day or two and visiting their grandparents in Florida. Truth be told I promised after the last trip that we would never again stay at grandma and grandpa’s… way to stressful and boring for them. In the future we will make short visits and stay at a nearby hotel.

This year I wanted to make sure to take them someplace they would not only love, but that can give them the freedom to be “out and about” without Daddy (actually Dad now… to my chagrin) hovering over them. I am happy to enjoy their pleasure from afar, or join in when/if they want my participation. After looking at many alternatives I decided to go with Club Med… an option I had so enjoyed for many years before I had children and one that has evolved with many family choices. I chose Club Med Ixtapa since I thought traveling to Mexico would be a great place for reliable weather, the resort seems gorgeous, Trip Advisor has so many great reviews, and there are a host of fun activities along with beautiful beaches. My daughters are very different… my 17 year old is reserved, artistic, likes quiet beaches and will most certainly take advantage of the great photo opportunities (she studies photography); my 15 year old is outgoing, loves activities, especially sailing, and will flip (no pun intended) over the trapeze.

Seems to me at Club Med I can be with them a good deal of the time, but can also allow them the freedom to be on their own… and maybe the GO’s (staff member at Club Med so well known for their congeniality) will encourage both of the girls to do things they may have otherwise dismissed.

Can’t wait to get there, crossing my fingers for a trip that will truly live up to my expectations, and looking forward to making some family memories that will stay with us forever. Stay tuned for my follow-up post hopefully entitled: Dad… you ROCK 🙂

“Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose”. ~The Wonder Years

 

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This