Don’t Be That Family
When it comes to planning a vacation for the whole family, things can get dicey pretty fast. From overtly expensive lodging to managing everyone’s schedule, you may feel like dropping the kids and running away, but luckily these dos and don’ts can make family vacations a breeze.
1. Show Up Late
With your family in tow, delays are expected. So to ensure you don’t end up missing important things, like your flight, be sure to show up early. Also, remember your time can delay your whole family, so be quick and punctual.
2. Stay On Your Phone
The whole point of a family vacation is to spend time with one another and take a break from the monotony of daily life. So the last thing you want to do is scroll on your phone or worry about Instagramming your best photos – instead, be present in the moment.
3. Over-Plan
It might make sense to meticulously plan everything to ensure the trip is a success, but turning a relaxing trip into a military operation is a recipe for disaster. Instead, you want to have flexibility and downtime to make sure everyone is having fun.
4. Fight Over Money
Family trips can get expensive, but the last thing you want to do is cancel last-minute dinner plans because the menu for four to six people feels like too much. So instead, consider the trip budget ahead of time, and then just go with the flow.
5. Complicate Meals
When it comes to arranging dinner for a whole family, it can be hard, especially without access to your own cooking supplies. Maybe one kid hates cheese and the other can’t stand spicy foods. Instead of worrying about their demands, use the trip as an opportunity to encourage new behaviors and exploration of interesting foods.
Farhad Ibrahimzade on Unsplash
6. Overpack
Anything can happen on a trip, and you don’t want to suddenly realize you’re missing a jacket or a pair of shoes when you really need them. Try following a list to make sure you have your essentials, but also accept the reality that sometimes things will surprise you, and you’ll just have to roll with that.
7. Overwhelm Staff
Sometimes when traveling with a family, you can pawn off responsibilities to staff members, insisting they make the couch beds or pressuring them to find foods your kid can eat. Those are all unprofessional and rude behaviors, and you don’t want to end up on the staff’s naughty list.
8. Pawn Your Kids
Speaking of pawning your kids off to others, when traveling with extended family, many parents may push their kids onto their siblings or grandparents for a break. Be sure to ask in advance before planning the trip to make sure this is okay. It’s not fair to ruin somebody else’s trip just because you want a break you didn’t pre-plan for.
9. Refuse to Compromise
Of course, at the end of the day, when traveling with others it is important to compromise. Switch up meal choices, and be flexible when people want to see sights you may not have planned for.
10. Complain
When the going gets tough, it’s all too easy to just complain the day away. Whether it’s lackluster food, the hotel room, or the climate of your destination, the whining just ruins the vibe, so it’s better to look on the bright side.
Now that we have talked about 10 habits that ruin family vacations, here are 10 tips to ensure smooth sailing.
1. Involve Everyone
While a certain parent may feel responsible for planning the trip, if the entire family is going, it’s worth getting their input. Ask your kids what they would be interested in, and also incorporate extended family’s wishes if they are coming.
2. Set a Budget
To avoid surprises and awkwardness, set a budget beforehand. Be realistic and plan for best- and worst-case scenarios so you have a range that won’t surprise you at the end of the day.
3. Book Early
To get the best deals and prices, many people recommend booking early. You might also find some slick packages and will then have months to prepare for the perfect arrival and return.
4. Be Spontaneous
Although it’s important to put in planning, it’s also okay to be spontaneous. Just because something isn’t on your schedule doesn’t mean it isn’t worth pursuing. You never know what opportunities you’ll come across, so say yes to spontaneity.
5. Take Real Photos
While it’s nice to have the perfect Instagram photos, your kids will probably roll their eyes at being perfectly posed for attempt number 7 at a photo. Instead, take photos and videos in the heat of the moment to catch real and candid shots you can look back on.
6. Plan Solo Time
Just because you’re taking a trip with your family doesn’t mean you should be with them 24/7. In fact, multiple family members will want alone time, so plan accordingly. Perhaps plan a romantic dinner for two while the kids are at a swimming activity.
7. Laugh Off Mistakes
Things will go wrong, from losing luggage to finding the restaurant you booked doesn’t have room. Don’t let these things ruin your vacation! Instead, shrug it off and carry on strong! You might find even better alternatives if you welcome the spontaneity.
8. Try New Things
The most important part of traveling to a new place is to try new things and integrate with the culture. Don’t go there expecting to eat, see, or do the same things you always do. Enjoy the differences!
Juan Cruz Mountford on Unsplash
9. Have Flex Time
If you’re an over-planner, then plan flex time into your schedule. This could be an hour or two every day or even an entire day to just come up with things as you go.
10. Reflect
Finally, this trip won’t be the last trip you take, especially with your family. So be sure to reflect on the time together and identify what worked and what didn’t. This way, your next trip can be even better!
