Is it ever a perfect set-up when parents with young kids try to plan a quick getaway?
Far from it.
There’s always something. A kid gets sick. Plans shift last minute. Someone arrives later than planned (hi, that’s me today 
). And suddenly the “perfect little break” doesn’t look so perfect anymore.
That’s exactly why we don’t wait for perfect.
Between running multiple businesses, growing a few more, raising three kids, trying to stay healthy, and actually taking care of our relationship — life is full. Busy-full. And if we don’t intentionally create space for each other, it just doesn’t happen.
So here’s our strategy:
a 2-night getaway every 2 months.
Just the two of us. No kids. No rushing.
Does it always go smoothly? Nope. Sometimes two months pass in a blink. Sometimes plans need adjusting. Today we almost cancelled because logistics went sideways. But we’ve learned that quality time rarely feels urgent — until you realise too much time has passed.
Two months ago we were in Athens. This month we’re in Kärdla. When we leave on Saturday, we already know when the next 2 nights are. That alone changes everything.
We use these breaks to talk, plan, and reset. We look back at what’s happened, and we plan forward. At the end of the year we go through the year month by month (often through photos) and write down the good stuff — because otherwise it’s way too easy to forget how much has actually happened. Then we set goals, make a vision board, and match it with a yearly calendar.
And here’s the non-negotiable part:
Quality time, family time, recovery, sports — those go into the calendar first. Work fills in around that, not the other way around.
We also do weekly check-ins for planning and finances. And we’ve learned that if we want to travel, we need to plan at least half a year ahead — which is why during Christmas we’re already planning summer. School schedules and last-minute bookings are not our friends.
Is this system perfect? Not even close.
It’s messy, adjusted on the go, and sometimes inconvenient.
But it works — because we actually do it.
Imperfect action.
Done on purpose.