At first, multigenerational vacations helped reduce stress. Now, it's become so much more.

• My son is 9, and we've been going on multigenerational trips with my parents since he was little.
• In the beginning, having extra hands mostly just helped reduce stress while traveling.
• Being together in new places has meant so much more, though, over the years.

Our first multigenerational trip was in Carmel-by-the-Sea. My little guy was only 3 months old. In the beginning, vacationing with my parents made trips feel less stressful. If I ran out of diapers, my dad would run out and get them. If my son got bored, my mom would draw pictures with him. Multigenerational travel meant I had time to put my feet up and drink a cup of coffee before it got cold.

Over the years, traveling with three generations has become so much more meaningful than simply an extra set of hands.

Now that my son is 9, I feel like we're in a sweet spot: my son still thinks I'm fun to be around, my parents are a huge help, and we all enjoy vacationing together. Over the last decade, we've traveled throughout California and Hawaii, internationally to the UK, and most recently, to Oregon.

So far, this is what I've learned about multigenerational travel:

Some of the best family time happens when we're doing nothing at all

Easily, the best part about multigenerational travel is that my son gets to know his grandparents better. There's something special about waking up in a new place, still in PJs, planning days over pastries, attempting puzzles, playing a board game, and trying to find something decent to watch on TV with a remote that only has a guide button and no streaming apps.

We're forced into time together without the typical daily distractions. There's no homework, work calls, or chores to be done. When our family opts for multiple bedrooms and a shared living space, our downtime can be just as fun as our outdoor adventures.

We don't have to do everything together

My dad and I like to run. My mom loves art, my son is obsessed with toy stores, and my husband likes fresh air and a good book.

It's OK to split up. On our most recent trip to Oregon, my son and I rode horses through Ponderosa Pines in the Deschutes National Forest while my parents lingered over coffee nearby.

The next day, my dad, son, and I hiked across ancient lava at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument — my mom opted for a stroll along the river and a little shopping. In Hawaii, my parents are happy to babysit so my husband and I can sneak out for Mai Tais. And in the UK, we opt for family-friendly activities, but everyone has the freedom to do their own thing.

Nobody feels like they're missing out. We want to spend time together — that's the whole point of multigenerational travel — but we don't have to do everything together.

New activities can surprise you

My dad loves astronomy, and so does my son, so I bought a stargazing experience in Sunriver that I knew they'd love. The area has been internationally recognized for protecting its night skies, so I anticipated some cool sights, especially after my son climbed a ladder to look through a tall telescope and whispered, "Wow." I followed, and I was completely blown away when I saw Saturn — rings and all. I never would have booked this myself, and I'll never forget it.

Earlier that day, my son also got my parents to go down a pretty scary waterslide at a nearby rec center. I only wish I had recorded them flying through the air into the pool.

For me, multigenerational travel is about sharing interests, experiencing new things, and seeing new places with the people you love. Whether we're looking at Saturn through a telescope or sitting around a breakfast table in our pajamas, we're making the most of every trip we get to take — although I'm not sure if my parents will go on another waterslide.