by Jessica Pawl
The exact opposite of the FOMO or “fear of missing out” dilemma is fully embracing a quiet and calm retreat from the constant activity of everyday life, particularly tempting in the thick of the holiday season.
We’ve heard it dubbed JOMO – or the “joy of missing out” – but in its simplest terms, it’s a non-hurried getaway that focuses on nothing more than family time. For most, it’s not the first idea that springs to mind when you think of a family adventure, but let me assure you that time carved out for recharging and reconnecting is the power-down that we all need every now and again. And that’s just as true for the little ones as it is for the grown ups.
If this hasn’t historically been your type of travel, we’re here to help you experience the reset that can come from planning a weekend that ironically won’t have many plans.
- Choose a destination within a four-hour drive
Studies show that parents report being most stressed just over three and a half hours into their trip. We get it. To avoid the endless chorus of “Are we there yets” (not to mention the chaos of an airport), we like to keep these escapes limited to a four-hour driving distance. Plus, there are additional perks of bringing your own car, which we’ll touch on later. - Book a three-night stay in one place
Over and over again, we’ve found that two nights doesn’t typically do the trick. We plan to arrive and settle in on night one, explore a bit on day two, and fully relax on day three, knowing that the following morning will be filled with packing back up and hustling the kids into the car for the haul home. Whenever possible, we try to align drive time with naps (or bedtime), and if we can’t, we aim for a stop along the way that has space for the kids to run around and grab a bite. - Choose accommodations that are quiet and cozy
This could feel like a worthless tip, but it’s really the crux of the whole experience. If your trip isn’t going to focus on exciting activities or action-packed itineraries, you’re going to want to really lean into an environment that checks all of your boxes. For us, that means comfortable furnishings and decor that we admire, a fireplace, soaking tub or hot tub for relaxing, a well-equipped kitchen and space for the kids to play or roam (heck, maybe even a movie projector). Not surprisingly, Airbnbs and VRBOs typically fit the bill. They allow flexibility in terms of our dining schedule, typically have outdoor space and in many cases, offer designer appeal that feels like a treat to lounge in. - Plan ahead for low-key enjoyable activities
The goal of a JOMO weekend by definition is to miss out, but that doesn’t mean that your getaway should be boring. Stock up on library books, baking supplies for mid-morning muffins, some simple kids crafts, or the fixings for an epic snack board. Think of all the things you aspire to do on an average weekend with your family, and use this time to actually leisurely enjoy a few that you’d never indulge in otherwise. (Make your own espresso martinis? Check. Paint rocks with the kids? Easy. Snuggle in with a stack of books? Done.) By driving in your own car, you’ll have plenty of room to pack up board games or even a winter sled. - Spend time in nature
This certainly isn’t required, but it adds an undoubted element of enjoyment every single time we step away from everyday life and find ourselves in a new environment. It could be a blustery winter walk, a nature scavenger hunt, a bonfire or bird watching. But getting outside and exploring nature as a family never fails to leave us each feeling curious and content. And leads to a better night’s sleep, too.
RELATED: Learn how to pick the perfect family Airbnb
Looking for some inspiration? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite JOMO getaway picks from the Kid-Friendly Stays travel directory…
