Summer coming to an end, leaves changing, and sweaters coming out usually mean it’s back to school time for families, and time to get back to a more ‘normal’ routine. Now, as nothing seems to be normal anymore, that routine looks quite a bit different for many households. Instead of getting the kids ready for school, packing their lunches, and getting them to their bus stop, parents are getting their kids up and ready, turning on the computer, and going to the next room to work while they oversee distance learning.
We understand how much stress this crazy time has caused, but one benefit of our new remote lifestyle is the opportunity to travel — safely, of course. As we start to learn how to live socially distanced, we can safely leave the house with the right precautions. This has created a new kind of vacation…a flexcation! COVID-19 has created a new travel trend where families rent vacation homes in late August to October, staying longer to work and play remotely, and often get better value for the off-season, midweek rates. If you missed your regular family summer vacation, or just need a change of scenery after being in your house so much, why not plan a flexcation?
Vrbo conducted a survey of travelers in July 2020 and found that the majority of families were in a flexcation state of mind:
- 50% of those surveyed agreed that flexible school schedules provide more flexibility in vacationing, while 48% said they can work from anywhere.
- 67% said “I just need a change of scenery” when asked why they might take a family vacation before year-end.
- On average, nightly rates drop about 20% (often, even more!) when booking vacation homes in the fall & winter.
Lower vacation rental rates and greater flexibility in work and school create an amazing opportunity for new family experiences. It’s also a way to make the best of a bad situation. While some kids are bound to struggle with distance learning academically, socially, or both, being able to get out and walk by the ocean during a lunch break may help soften the blow and expand their horizons.
As a parent, you now have an added responsibility during remote learning. While teachers are undoubtedly doing their best, they can’t be there to work hands-on with students in the way they may need. It’s now up to you to fill in where needed on top of your other duties as a parent. And adults need flexcations, too. Between the pressures of remote work that often spill outside the work day, normal home routines and work, and the emotional stresses of managing the pandemic, flexcations are great for adults. Those who are parents of children and teens have the added challenge of homeschooling and entertaining home-bound kids. In short, you need a break! A change of scenery and a peaceful environment for you to work in, even if it’s just a long weekend, may be exactly what you need to refresh and get ready to take on the rest of 2020, whatever it throws our way.
Nobody could have expected the events of 2020, but we are all doing our best to make the most of what we have, while also keeping everyone around us safe and healthy. Summer may have come and gone, and felt much different than normal, but now we have the opportunity to take a flexcation and make some unique family memories during this extraordinary time.
If you’d like to “Stay Relaxed” with us and flexcation in a Sweet Home, check out sweethomesrentals.com to pick your perfect getaway. We can’t wait to see you!