I know you want ideas, and I’ll get to that part of the question, but first: does your husband know you don’t like camping?

I went through this letter and thought, “This person should not go camping anytime soon.” I say this as someone who also dislikes bugs, sunburns, and the way going to the bathroom works in the wilderness.

I wonder if an alternative to camping might be a visit to an observatory where you can look at the stars. (Boston University has a nice night for this, from what I hear.)

Another idea for privacy and change: a house swap. If you watch the movie “The Holiday” you’ll learn that house swaps are how you find romance and rediscover yourself (especially if you are Cameron Diaz). Rick Steves has written about some of these services (HomeExchange is one). It could be a new way to travel on the cheap without having to think about ticks. Yes, your kids would have to vacate, but they can go to a friend’s house, right?

You might consider asking your own friends if they’d ever want to try this idea for fun. Sometimes I think, “I’d love to see my friend in Alameda. But also, what if she took over my house here, and I went there, and we overlapped one night for an amazing dinner?” Maybe someone in your life wants to try this adventure.

My last move is to pitch one of my faves: the MassArt Art Museum. I know I mention this place a lot, but it’s free – and people forget can it’s there because it’s in the shadow of the Museum of Fine Arts. The MAAM has events where people can do their own art and see live music. Very romantic.

Don’t take these arts institutions for granted. They make programming for us, sometimes for nothing. Let’s do all the things.

– Meredith

Readers? Ideas for cheap getaways? Is this more about having kids at home? Thoughts on that – or camping?

Would love some great letters. Ask questions about dates, no dates, love, divorce, breakups, getting back out there, in-law drama, or whatever,  through the anonymous form – or email [email protected].