When we were expecting our first son we heard a lot of comments from friends and family about how impossible it would be to travel with children. We brushed the comments off and pushed through because travel was so important to us and we couldn't imagine our life without our adventures.

So it came as a bit of a shock when we took our son on his first trip at 10 months. Something felt off, and I couldn't explain it. On one hand we were having an exceptional time seeing beautiful sites, spending time together, getting out of the monotony of everyday life back home. But through all that we just felt stressed. It wasn't until I read a great article that mockingly described how you would never go on vacation again once you had a child, that it hit me. That was it! That's what felt so different! The article explained, as a parent you will still go on trips but if you have to change diapers, pack for others then it's not a vacation. After that point, travel changed for us. I made peace with still going on trips but not going on vacation. I told myself it's just the season, this to shall pass.

When we were invited to join Life With A Baby at Fern Resort our family jumped at the opportunity! We had heard fantastic things about the resort from friends and family. We were looking forward to the opportunity to connect as a family, enjoy the beautiful area and try out some new activities. Several people commented on how relaxing it would be. I smiled, but laughed inside. Relaxed?! Ha! They clearly hadn't traveled with a toddler.

Well I'm here to report- boy was I wrong! We walked away from our two night stay feeling relaxed. Yes, that's right! We had our first VACATION as a family! Here's what made Fern different;

• Toddler friendly dining

We absolutely loved this part of our stay! In fact, for the next few weeks my son asked to go back to the “restaurant” on a daily basis. This may have been his favorite part. The resort offers an early child friendly buffet starting at 5:30pm. This really took the edge off for us because we knew we could get food into him as soon as the nightly witching hour would begin. We didn't have to wait for someone to bring it to us, we could just head right to our spot and eat. They offered a great balance and clearly had experience with picky eaters. Sauce was separate from the noodles, big variety and familiar favorites. Dessert was also plentiful but parked just out of sight line so parents could choose when and how much to offer.

• Free child care

  We absolutely loved the play village! They offered you the option of either staying with your child or leaving them in their care. When we were planning our stay, we didn't anticipate leaving him there. My son is 21 months but has only ever stayed with his grandparents for a few hours at a time. The idea of leaving him alone with staff he didn't know really worried me. Again- I was so wrong! The first night, my husband offered to go play with him at the village to allow me to finish my dinner and chat with friends. Next thing I know, he came and sat back down at our table without our son! I was pretty panicked. My husband assured me they would call our cell if something happened but I couldn't wait, so I ran out and spied on him. He was fine! Not only was he fine...he was having a blast! So I went back to the dinning room and enjoyed my dessert in peace.

We continued to visit the play village throughout our stay. Some of the time we stayed, and at other times we left and enjoyed our meal alone. What I was most impressed with was how respectful and attentive the staff were. I'm sure I came across as an overprotective mother but they were very patient and friendly. I left them my cell and asked that they call me if he asked for me. Sure enough, when my son asked for me they called. I expected to walk into a find a screaming toddler but instead found a calm kiddo who felt confident that I would return when he asked. It was a FANTASTIC first experience being apart!

• Tons of activities and space

The weekend that we stayed, was prime time and the resort was full. I expected to find it a bit crowded but that was not my experience whatsoever. The grounds are quite large and there is plenty of space to find a quiet spot. We really enjoyed the forested trail and the beach. My son is not big on swimming pools but loved to dig in the sand and find squirrels in the woods.

Even with the resort being large, all the amenities are centrally located. This is so helpful for families with young children. Those little legs take a long time to move from place to place so being able to run back to our rooms quickly or grab a diaper in a pinch was fantastic!

• New experiences in a friendly environment

Having the opportunity to experience new things and see new sights is the number one reason my husband and I love to travel! Fern was the perfect place to introduce our little guy to so many amazing things. He got to see his first puppet show and the best part was it was ok that he was laughing loudly in the front row! The resort has such a family feel that the little quirks of toddlers are welcomed and not a nuisance. He also loved the campfire, and beautiful gardens. So many flowers that his mom could never grow at home! This was also his first time at a beach- such a hit!

Our family has nothing but great things to say about Fern. Stumbling upon an unexpected vacation was just what we needed to refocus and get back to life on Monday. We can't wait to go back and make new memories as our son grows older.

Jennifer is the Community Manager for Waterloo Region.  She is a stay at home parent to Elliot who is 22 months old.  She loves crafting, travel and is passionate about creative play!