Travel with kids: Take technology?

Honestly, though, we struggle with how much technology to include in our vacations, especially the vacations that include camping. The last thing I want to hear when sitting around the campfire is the beep of a handheld device.

When I tell the kids about my own youth and being truly and disconnected from the world for weeks at a time, they are aghast. They are so stunned, in fact, that I could easily add that I walked miles to school in the snow, uphill both ways... even though I grew up in the desert southwest.

Cutting the wireless cord

I'm the first to admit that it is difficult to cut the wireless cord. I love my email and my gadgets as much as the next person. I've been accused of being addicted to the computer, and at times it was true. I've earned my living as part of the computer industry for almost two decades!

But I also recognize the value of turning it off: We all need time to listen for the buzz of insects looking for their perfect mate instead of the electronic buzz of a computer monitor.

Last summer on vacation, my husband was enticed by "free internet access" in a remote hotel and checked his email. Big, big mistake. He didn't sleep that night and was stressed for two days. While we were mostly able to get back to the escape part of being away, something was lost when he checked in with reality that day. So much for the restorative intent of our vacation.

Also see: Why moms need a weekly break from technology

Our family vacations are about being together, though, not escaping from one another behind headphones attached to one electronic device or another. "Boring" afternoons near the campsite should be opportunities to make one's own fun, explore, learn something new -- and not instantly start thinking about watching a DVD in the car. And after several days of thinking in this new, old-fashioned way, it becomes comfortable and the technology is missed less and less.

Judicious use

Even so, I do admit that technology brings us some benefit even while on vacation. A cell phone can be a lifeline in an emergency -- even while the GPS tries to prevent you from getting lost in the first place. And on the longer legs in the car? Yes, a DVD would come in handy.

This vacation, we will have one cell phone and one GPS. No laptops, no PDAs, no MP3 players. Instead we'll have books and a collection of CDs for the car stereo and... interaction.

I have decided to bring along a portable DVD player, but we have set strict rules for its use, and it will be under the front passenger seat, out-of-sight, otherwise. We'll bring it out only on the two legs of the trip in which we need to drive longer than three hours at a time. One of those legs is the last bit home.

But I can almost bet after 10 days of almost no technology, the kids will not miss it. It may not even occur to them to ask for it.

Read more:

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