My Husband's Stubborn Rules for Our Family Summer Vacation Are Too Much

Summer vacation time is here, and for many families, that means planning a special break away from the everyday routine. Unfortunately, my husband’s plans for our vacation are too extreme and restrictive, making it more of a chore than something to look forward to. But since I love him, we are trying to make it work — even if I am starting to feel more like a prisoner than a vacationer.

At the beginning of the year, my husband eyed a great deal on a cabin out in the woods. While I was hesitant because it was quite far away and would require a lot of preparation and organization, he was excited and decided to book it right away. It seemed like a good enough plan at the time, but it kept getting more and more restrictive as he kept adding rules.

First, we had to ensure that all of our regular family commitments were taken care of before we left. Secondly, he was adamant about us going shopping for a ton of supplies for the trip to avoid any thing else distracting us from the “true” vacation vibe. Thirdly, he demanded only healthy meals for the duration of the stay, and that NO snacking or junk food was allowed.

I was flabbergasted at the demands, but I went along with them anyway, until he started to issue rules that were impossible to follow. When it came to packing our bags, he wanted to do it himself in order to make sure we left nothing behind. Then he created a schedule complete with activities and mealtimes that didn’t give us much wiggle room.

I honestly couldn't take it anymore and felt like I needed a vacation from this vacation. What my husband didn’t understand is that what we really needed was a break from our regular routine and to just enjoy being together without so much structure. Unfortunately, his stubbornness prevented us from truly enjoying what could have been an amazing family vacation.

Since then, we have had to readjust our expectations and plans for our next summer vacation. We still want to find a great deal on a secluded cabin, but some flexibility is necessary too – especially with the meals. Instead of my husbands’s usual strict no-snacking policy, we are focusing on packing healthier meal options, with some indulgent snacks thrown in for good measure. We’re also researching ways to make packing easier, such as buying everything online and having it shipped straight to the cabin.

Most importantly, we are committed to leaving plenty of room for spontaneous activities, side trips and moments of pure relaxation. With these adjustments to the plan, I finally have something to look forward to and a sense of excitement for our upcoming family trip.

Taking a vacation should always be about fun, adventure and creating memories with those closest to us. By respecting each other’s needs and desires, couples can discover and plan the perfect journey that balances structure and relaxation. Whether it’s a week at the beach or a month in the mountains, we all need a break from regular life. I just hope my husband has learned his lesson and will ease up on the rules and regulations for our next family summer vacation — at least a little bit!