Nurturing Independence: A Fresh Approach to Family Vacations

In the realm of parenting, where styles and philosophies vary widely, New York mom Stephanie Woodward has sparked conversation with her refreshingly practical approach to family vacations. As a mother of five—including 13-month-old triplets and two foster children aged 9 and 7—Woodward has developed methods that prioritize learning and independence, even during leisure time. Her “controversial” vacation practices, shared openly on her family’s Instagram page, challenge conventional wisdom about what family getaways should look like. Rather than viewing vacations as a complete break from routine and learning, Woodward sees them as valuable opportunities for her children to develop essential life skills while still enjoying their time away from home. This approach stands in stark contrast to what some experts identify as “ego parenting,” where parents’ decisions are driven more by their own need for validation than by what truly benefits their children’s development.

At the heart of Woodward’s parenting philosophy is the belief that consistency in education matters, even during summer breaks or family trips. One of her most discussed practices involves having her older boys complete a math worksheet every single day of summer vacation, regardless of where the family might be traveling. “I don’t want them to experience a summer slump and I want them to feel really prepared and excited for the year ahead of them,” she explained in her Instagram reel. This practice acknowledges the well-documented phenomenon of “summer slide,” where students can lose academic ground during extended breaks from school. Rather than allowing vacation time to become a complete departure from learning, Woodward integrates small educational activities that keep her children’s minds engaged while still allowing plenty of time for fun and relaxation. This balanced approach helps maintain academic momentum without turning vacation into schoolwork, demonstrating how learning can be a natural, ongoing process rather than something confined to a classroom.

Perhaps the most striking of Woodward’s vacation practices is allowing her 9 and 7-year-old children to navigate for the family during their travels. Whether exploring Washington D.C., resorts in the Cayman Islands, or other destinations, these young children are entrusted with map reading and direction-giving responsibilities. “They are going to be able to read the map and tell us how to get there and if this means we waste some time going in the wrong direction, then so be it,” Woodward explained, emphasizing the long-term value of this experience. This practice does more than teach practical navigation skills—it builds confidence, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities while giving the children a sense of ownership and importance in the family journey. By prioritizing the development of these skills over perfect efficiency, Woodward demonstrates a willingness to embrace minor inconveniences in service of her children’s growth. This patient approach to teaching independence stands as a powerful example of how vacation time can be leveraged for developmental purposes without diminishing the enjoyment of the experience.

The third element of Woodward’s vacation strategy involves having her children read rules signs aloud whenever the family encounters them. Whether at water parks or other attractions, the family stops to ensure everyone understands the expectations before proceeding. “We will stop and read the sign that says all the rules before we go in and I have my kids read it out loud,” she shared in her video. This simple practice serves multiple functions: it reinforces reading skills, teaches the importance of understanding and following guidelines, encourages safety awareness, and helps children recognize that rules exist for good reasons in various environments. By making this a consistent family habit, Woodward normalizes rule-following while also giving her children practice in comprehending and applying instructions—a skill that will serve them well throughout their lives. The public nature of this practice also teaches children to be unafraid of taking the time to understand expectations, rather than rushing ahead without proper preparation.

The response to Woodward’s parenting approach has been overwhelmingly positive, with many educators and fellow parents expressing support for her methods. Comments like “As a teacher, I applaud you on all three!!!” and “Great job, they will be functioning adults someday! We need more of this” reflect an appreciation for parenting that prioritizes children’s long-term development. Particularly encouraging was feedback from parents who had implemented similar navigation strategies: “We made our kids navigate too and now they’re super confident travelers!!” Such responses highlight how Woodward’s methods resonate with others who value raising independent, capable children. This positive reinforcement stands in contrast to the reception sometimes given to parenting styles that differ from the norm, suggesting a growing recognition of the importance of fostering independence and practical life skills from an early age. The supportive comments also demonstrate how sharing parenting approaches can create communities of practice where effective methods can be adopted and adapted by others.

Woodward’s approach represents a thoughtful alternative to what mental health therapist Cheryl Groskopf describes as “ego parenting”—a style where parents’ actions are motivated primarily by their own need to feel validated or in control rather than by their children’s developmental needs. Unlike parents who push their children into numerous extracurricular activities or become disproportionately upset over academic performance because of how it reflects on them, Woodward’s methods appear genuinely centered on her children’s growth and future independence. Her willingness to accept imperfect navigation, to consistently maintain educational practices even during vacation, and to take time for rule-reading demonstrates a focus on long-term development rather than immediate convenience or appearances. This child-centered approach, while requiring more patience and planning in the moment, potentially yields greater rewards in terms of children’s confidence, capability, and readiness for adulthood. By sharing her methods publicly, Woodward not only stands by her parenting choices but also offers other parents an alternative model that prioritizes raising self-sufficient individuals who are prepared to navigate both maps and life’s complexities with confidence.