We're leaving early on Sunday morning for a week at the beach! I couldn't be more excited if I tried. Okay, I lied. I would be more excited if my daughter and her family were vacationing with us but, alas, that's not what is happening this time. While I've previously suggested taking a vacation together, we're heading to North Carolina with my own Mom and Dad, brother and his girlfriend, and, really, that's a lot of people in one house!

I have no doubt I'll be reminded of the short vacation that I took with the Munchkin's family last year to the Jersey Shore. Oceans have a way of extending along coastlines, so emotionally, I'll be thinking that we are standing in the same water that we stood in together last year. Only this year, it won't be with the Munchkin. I know my heart will miss her (like always).

But! That doesn't mean I can't acknowledge her on the trip or find a way to "include" her in the festivities. What can you do on a family vacation to include your child that isn't present?

1. Send a postcard. Yes, I'm talking straight up, old-fashioned postcard via the snail mailbox. On one of the first days of your trip, make your way to a store, find one that either says where you are or shows something that you might be doing or planning to do, write on that bad boy and get it in the mailbox immediately. A simple "wish you were with us" can speak volumes to a child (or adult) who can't be on the trip. Acknowledging that you are thinking about them and missing their presence is an honest way of letting them know that you care.

2. Buy a trip related present. (You can mail this when you get home.) If you buy yourself or your parented children a shirt that says something corny (you know, like all those cheap t-shirt places have), buy a matching one for your child. Much like a postcard, you can also find gifts and trinkets with the name of the location emblazoned all over every inch of the product. While your placed child may not have been in attendance or been to the place before, they can feel a connection to the place and to you every time they look at the gift.

3. Think outside the store. At the beach? Collect some shells to either mail or give to your child the next time you visit. In the mountains? How about some pine cones or non-poisonous plants/flowers to press into a picture frame! Every place you visit has something unique to be brought back (if you're out of the country, make sure you aren't breaking any laws by bringing back plants or fruit) without breaking your piggy bank. Get crafty with things if you're the type!

4. Take a picture. This sounds obvious as cameras are usually handy on a family vacation. But think beyond the family picture to send to your child. (Though that is nice as well.) For example, if you're standing on the beach, missing your child and wishing that he or she was present, take a picture and include a letter about why you took the picture of the shore at that particular moment in that particular place. Showing physical representation of the times that your child was thought of and missed can make them feel involved even though they weren't there with you.

There are many other creative ideas to involve your child in your family vacation. If you have a unique idea, please leave a comment! The point of all ideas, of course, is to let your child know that even though you were participating in a family event at which he/she wasn't present, he/she was though of and was missed.

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That said, I will be gone the 12th through the 19th. However, I have content set to publish. While I tried to steer clear of overly controversial topics, any problems will be handled by my editor. Have a great week, folks!

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For more, read:

1. 10 Great Ideas for Visiting in Open Adoption Parts One and Two.

2. Thoughts on Traveling Long Distances.

3. Traveling Long Distances: 10 Tips - Parts One and Two.

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Photo Credit.