Monday, April 6, 2009

Vacation help

I need some advice from all you resourceful bloggers out there! How do you get a techie husband to agree to "unplug" for a beach vacation? He thinks that relaxing at the beach or pool for a couple of days will be too boring. When I ask him for another vacation idea, he can't come up with anything.

I feel like I'm in The Twilight Zone during my last vacation conversation with him because he did AGREE to a Jersey shore vacation a few days ago. I thought that I double checked to see if he was all for this idea. Now I got the kids all pumped up and he is backing out.

We really need a little getaway because we haven't gone away since the summer of 2006. My husband was laid off for two years so we had to stay home for a couple of years. I think a relaxing couple of days at the beach would be nice. Nothing too expensive or lavish, just a chance to take a breather.

I know he wouldn't prop his laptop on his lap while sitting on a beach chair. He wouldn't want sand to invade all the precious components. A huge drive in TV screen set up on the beach would probably entice him!

If I really push him, I know he'll give in to my plan. Hopefully, he would have fun after all. So how do I get my wired up guy to want to be a beach bum for a few days? Any ideas?

19 comments:

T Rex Mom said...

Compromise - stay at a place with internet connectivity and he can surf during the non-beach times.

Maybe if you just explain to him how much it means to you, that might be all you need.

Good luck and hopefully all will work out.

Willow Rose said...

I asked my Techie hubby and he said... Tell him it's a topless beach and then when you get there you can say.. see.. the men are topless. Shame Shame..

Dani said...

LOL! Viv's comment is great! Let's see... I think maybe if you talk to him about how important family time is to you and how much you would like to go ALL together maybe he would understand. I just hope he would go and put enthusiasm into it and not drag his feet. Too many times at the beginning of my marriage, my husband would drag his feet when going to my family reunions. And that made it seem actually more fun if he HADN'T come...so I hope he can perk up and enjoy himself. I don't know if I have much for you... I'm one of those wives who has no answers so I just talk and nag and drive him crazy and I know that's not the best advice...

Akum said...

The best time to convenience is a guys is in the best room.. You know what i mean! LOL!

H.K. said...

When my husband was laid off, we couldn't go on any vacations and he regretted those times that we could have gone. We went on vacations that HE wanted to do, now he has alot of regrets and our son is a teenager, we can't take bring that time back.

Tell him going to the beach is creating memories with your kids that will last forever.

Joanne said...

Hm, maybe compromise. One vacation your way, one his. One unplugged vacation, next time he can bring his laptop. I think once he gets used to being a beach bum (the best vacation, by the way!), he won't miss technology that much. Nothing beats being by the sea.

Penny said...

Suggest that he needs a tan, lol! That's what I do! Or tell him he can play/work on his laptop during the morning and evening but while the sun's shining, he belongs to the beach! =)

Kim said...

I think that you really need to (gently) put your foot down. Cost-savings speaks to my husband. If I lay out the expenses and really emphasize how we're going to save here and cut costs there, I can usually get him to see another perspective. Why does everything have to be so much work?? Good luck - you deserve a nice getaway. I'm like you - I don't need any fancy bells and whistles - just getting out of the city once in a while will do.

Lucia said...

Use your powers of womanly persuasion. Those Corona beer commercials might also help. I know what you mean, my hubby Laptop doesn't unplug too easily either. Can you entice with nature activities, watch the tidepools, fly kites, wade out to a nearby rock? Can you bring bikes? Resort to bribery if you need to, :)
Have fun!

Michelle said...

Don't be a bum? Find a bird sanctuary nearby that he can visit. Get the kids to beg him to be buried in the sand. Buy him a snorkeling kit so he can explore the water. Rent a bike?

Orrrr go skiing or some other active vacation? Or ummm yeah... womanly persuasion. I think that's a better way to go :)

The Write Girl said...

Does he happen to have any of those ipod, itouch...i thingies lol? They are tiny and easy to transport. I'd think he'd like it. Or maybe see if your cell phone plans come with any internet connection. As long as he is able to check out the wide web, I think he will be okay.

Judith Ellis said...

What makes him really excited? What does he like to do most? How about the kids? How about you? Make it an after dinner conversation. Take a vote a few days later. Is he typically not initially excited about vacations? Does he perk up once there? Is he still concerned about the finances during this time of recession? By the way, I like Viv's suggestion. :-)

septembermom said...

Thanks for all the ideas! After reading all your comments, he is starting to come around. It looks like my blogging "posse" helped rescue my vacation plans! Thanks everyone :)

LuAnn said...

Let me know where you end up!

Mervat said...

I don't know if my comment helps, but my husband and I are the reverse in our relationship. That is, my hubby wants to go places and I always come up with excuses to not go. The one thing which has started to turn my opinion around is just agreeing for the sake of it and to not set any expectations. So, if you have to 'force' him then do it because I have now come to realise that the best part about a holiday is how you feel a week after you return. You just want to go back. And that is terrific for the next destination!

Anonymous said...

Good Luck with that vacation! I wish you the best! Its always so refreshing to get away and relax and just ENJOY!

CDB said...

I know what you mean, entirely.. we haven't really gotten 'away' (by ourselves) since 2006. Made it to the beach last year, but this year I think we're in need of a getaway all our own. Refresh, relax, recoup!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

After being a widow for 9 yrs I met someone
a real gentleman on the surface, to cut a long story short we set up home together, we never went out except to shop, he hardly spoke as he was doing crosswords all day. and he was violent.
So a holiday with him would have been out of the question.He knew I was worried as my son was diagnosed with cancer, he is in remission at present. I left the "real gentleman"
Hope you get your vacation.

Yvonne

Jenners said...

An iPod touch ... it is wireless and he can play games, watch movies and play with other doo dads. And stay in a place where he can be wired up at night. And seriously, if he can't unplug for that long to be with his family, he TOTALLY needs a vacation way more than anyone!