Family Travel Co-Parenting: Holding It All Before Our First Cruise

We’re parked at Red Gate Farms in Savannah, Georgia—our last planned stop before we board the cruise ship in a few days.

I’m sitting here watching the moss sway from these long-armed trees and feeling the quiet shift happening inside me.  Soon, we’ll go from open roads and RV rhythms to cruise decks and ocean breezes.  From me leading charge as mom-on-the-road….to him taking the reins.  Family travel co-parenting looks different for everyone, but this is how we’re doing it right now.

This trip will be a first for all three of them—kids and dad included.  And even though they’re excited, we’ve had to do a little prep.  My son, with all the bold confidence of an eight-year-old, announced just before starting our summer road trip, while riding down the freeway, “Mom, you know what I would never do?  Get in the middle of the ocean on one of those big boats and go swimming with dolphins.  Those people are crazy.”

Welp. Plot twist.

After I shared that moment with their dad, we both laughed—and finally let the kids in on the plan.  It’s been a mix of nerves, questions, and deep breaths ever since.  But I know this: they’ll remember this adventure.  And we’ll hold it together.

Truth is, we’ve had to learn co-parenting, family travel co-parenting as we go.  What works for us, what centers the kids, and what still needs work.  We’re still married.  We live in different states.  It’s complicated.  But we’re family.  We talk.  We show up.  And we’ve both had to swallow some pride along the way, especially in the beginning, to center what matters:  our kids knowing they are safe, loved, and grounded.

None of this looks like what I was told “family” was supposed to look like.  But I’ve stopped measuring us against that.  We’re shaping it our way.  Together when we can be.  Respectful. Honest.  We don’t have all the answers, and I’m not here to hand out advice.  I’m just here, holding this moment, breathing through the transition, trusting we’ll find joy out on that big, beautiful ocean.

We’re four of those “crazy” people now.  And maybe that’s exactly right.

BTW: “Blood don’t make a family.  Love does.” – My Ghamma (Grandmother)

Your Turn: What story are you reshaping your way this season?

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