I agree that the trips are not the norm for all parents, but the two vacations cost $5-8K (depending on where we go) and two weeks’ PTO combined. That’s accessible for many tech workers, which was GP’s question. The lake was $1063 per couple this year for everything once you got yourself there (room, food, drink, and boats). We all try keep it affordable so her whole family can easily attend. Everything else in the post is “free as in beer” and should be accessible to most parents if they make it a priority.
The greater point is to structure your life and relationship so as to have an escape valve that lets you keep your individual and adult couple identities/interests and not merely become 100% pure parent for a decade straight without break.
The greater point is to structure your life and relationship so as to have an escape valve that lets you keep your individual and adult couple identities/interests and not merely become 100% pure parent for a decade straight without break.