Heading out into the wild with the family can be an awesome experience, but it can also come with its fair share of stress. Wrangling kids, boredom on long journeys, tired little ones, and family arguments are all normal (even traditional?) parts of a family vacation.
But what if it didn’t have to be like that? What if your family vacation could be totally stress-free?
Ok, so it is probably over-promising to guarantee a trip abroad that is totally without stress. But there are a few things that you can do to limit problems and ensure a great vacation for everyone!
So if you are planning a few 2022 family cruises, or just thinking about your next minibreak with the kids, take a look at the tips below!
Set a flexible schedule for every day
Planning ahead is the most important part of a family vacation and the best way to avoid stressful moments and unforeseen problems. Having a daily schedule means that everyone knows what to expect and you can organize everything in advance. But flexibility is important too, so don’t forget to build in wiggle room to your plans – when kids are involved, anything can happen!
Give your kids responsibility
Kids really thrive when given a little responsibility, so involve them in the planning and organization of the vacation. Give each of your little ones a task that they are in charge of – a bag to pack, an activity to plan – they will feel responsible and grown-up, and it will help them focus as well.
Switch things up
Things can get samey quite quickly on vacation, particularly when you are dealing with long journeys, layovers, and even dreaded delays. To avoid the stress, boredom, and friction that comes from long periods of inaction, or being sat next to the same family member for hours on end, switch things up! Just changing seats every couple of hours can freshen up conversations and keep everyone light and breezy.
Give yourself some time off
Don’t forget, it’s your vacation too! Keeping the parents (you guys) happy and relaxed during a family vacation is just as important as making sure the kids are having a good time. Build in a little time off from the kids into the itinerary – whether its an hour reading alone on the beach, a couple’s massage, or a night out just the two of you!
