By Carrie Simmons

They say it’s the hardest job in the world being a mom.  No pay, little in the way of support staff and an endless list of tasks; however, the payoff is remarkable – when you actually have time to sit and enjoy it.  One of the greatest gifts you can give a mom or wife this Mother’s Day is the gift of time.  Time to sit and relax, time to reflect on the joys of parenthood (and yes, there are many).  Many moms wrestle with guilt when they are vacationing away from the kids, but there is a way to alleviate the kid withdrawal and rejuvenate on a family vacation with plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied.

Jamaica Me Crazy!

As if the kick-back, irie attitude in Jamaica isn’t enough to put even the most tightly wound mom in a better mood, Franklyn D. Resort offers the carrot that will make any mom say ‘Ahh’ – a personal vacation nanny.  Upon check-in, the resort assigns each family a personal nanny to assist with all the mundane tasks of parenting.  Whether you want the nanny to take your kids to the other side of the resort for activities, such as fishing and cooking lessons, throughout the day, or you want her to perform your routine tasks, such as applying sunscreen for the fifth time and getting Johnny to finish his meal, she’s there for you.  Plus, at the oceanfront at the open-air spa, mom can enjoy a massage to the sound of the tranquil waves.

Oh Mexico!

The sun and surf of Cabo San Lucas combines a peppering of culture to offer the perfect family getaway.  Every mom can live her dream of fun with the kids and a bit of relaxation at Dreams Los Cabos Resort & Spa.  During the day, relax in the massive beachfront infinity pool while kids splash along a shallow shelf and fly down the water slide.  In the evening, dance the night away with the kids at a live music party or enjoy an outdoor movie on the beach.  The swim-up bar offers smoothies for kids and something a bit stronger for mom and dad; since it’s all-inclusive, you never have to tell the kids no.  When you need a break, the Explorer’s Club for Kids has innovative activities, such as iguana safaris and Euro-Bungee jumping (not as scary as it sounds) on the beach.  If that’s not enough to entice her, the full-service spa offers beachside massages, body treatments, hydrotherapy and more.

Paradise Just a Drive Away!

If the plane ride sounds like too much with kids, then the stay-cation paradise awaits you at Scottsdale’s own Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.  This resort offers a spectacular combination of parent relaxation and kid-friendly fun – and it is certified green by the Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association.  At the Adventure Water Park, parents can relax in the shade as the kids take on the 900-foot lazy river ride and a 110-foot-long waterslide.  Mom can get ready for the evening at the Agave spa, then enjoy time with the kids around a campfire with s’mores before bed.

SOURCES

http://www.fdrholidays.com/fdr/

http://www.dreamsresorts.com/drelc/

http://www.kierlandresort.com

Carrie Simmons is the producer of Travel With Kids, a family travel documentary series airing on television around the world, and has traveled to five continents in search of adventure.  For more information on the series, visit TravelWithKids.tv