Getting the Most out of Family Vacation
For many families, summertime means it’s time for family vacation! Vacation can be just another trip, or a culmination of a year’s worth of planning and saving for this one special moment. Family vacations are important for children to help them feel closer as a family and make life-long memories.
As parents approach family vacation, here are a few tips to make sure the entire family gets the most of family vacation by planning ahead, staying flexible, and remaining present.
Plan Ahead
The first step towards a great family vacation starts with planning. Parents can sit down with the family to determine the goal of the vacation. Keeping the goal in mind helps determine what goes on the vacation agenda, and what to leave off. Possible goals may include adventure and trying new things, rest and relaxation, visiting family, or returning to a beloved vacation spot.
Children benefit from being included in the planning process where they can contribute to the decisions. This increases the chances the entire family will have a good time. For those with very young children, family vacations may lean towards more rest, relaxation, and relationship building than days full of activities. Older children typically enjoy a vacation where parents plan more activities. Parents may consider building in breaks for rest, and keeping a bedtime routine so children have the energy for the day’s events.
When planning a family vacation with teens, recognize that teens generally prefer more free time and choices. Teens have an increased desire for autonomy and could benefit from an agenda which includes time for themselves and other teens to enjoy age-appropriate activities with minimal adult supervision.
Stay Flexible
The best vacation plans can go awry due to weather, sickness, or unexpected complications. Parents tend to either show frustration because the perfect vacation has been ruined or pretend as if everything is okay by staying overly optimistic. When plans change, children need parents to acknowledge their sadness at missing out on what they had planned on enjoying, and then stay flexible to make new plans for vacation fun.
Parents can prepare for the unexpected by bringing a list of ‘rainy day’ options and supplies. After taking time to grieve the loss of the original plan, the family can return to ‘planning mode’ and choose another activity. When events are rained out, alternatives may include indoor options like board games or making meals together, as well as outdoor options like going to a movie or eating out at a fun restaurant.
Remain Present
In addition to unexpected complications, distraction can get in the way of getting the most out of family vacation. Remaining present in each moment can be difficult when smart phones and push notifications vie for attention every hour of every day. Vacations are supposed to be time away from normal life and work responsibilities. A great vacation starts with communicating the parent’s unavailability to bosses, clients, and co-workers during the trip. Parents remain present by putting away work and social media as much as possible, in order to focus on connection with the family. If work, or other responsibilities, absolutely must get done, consider getting up early or staying up late while children are sleeping.
Remaining present goes for the children as well! Most children and teens use electronic devices that steal away focus and attention. Consider setting aside time each day to put away all electronics for a few hours. Some of the most meaningful vacation memories for children might be the time spent playing a board game or going for a walk along the beach picking up seashells. Remaining present can include taking time to strengthen the relationship with each child through shared fun experiences, conversations, and dedicated time with each child. Intentionally spending just a few minutes with each child will give that child a memory that will last forever.
Celebrate
After all the planning, flexibility, and remaining present, it’s time to go home! When the vacation is over, take time to enjoy a recap meal together and share the highlights of the trip. Fun questions include favorite meal, silliest moment, most fun activity, the event you definitely want to never do again, and ideas for the next vacation. This brings the family back to step one and planning ahead for the next family vacation!