Proper Prior Planning
When you arrive at your vacation destination you can breath a sigh of relief: trained professionals will ensure that your luggage makes its way to your hotel room, that your children are fed and watered, and effectively that you have all the tools you need to have a good time. Getting to that point, however, is your job. That means planning before you even leave the house is key to enjoying a perfect vacation. First you need to think about money: what can you afford to spend on your vacation? This will determine where you can go and how long your vacation can be. How much spending money will you need to put to one side? Work out a rough budget of how much you think you will need to spend whilst you’re away and then exchange your travel money before you travel: this will ensure you get the best possible currency exchange rate and reduce your stress upon arrival at your destination.
Once you’ve dealt with these ‘grown up’ issues it’s time to involve your kids. Ask your family members what they want to do and gain from their vacation time. The more input you get from each family member, the better your vacation will be. Older children will be able to tell you each specific activity they want to enjoy whilst younger kids may simply know they want to see the sea: any input is massively helpful and will make you vacation that little bit more special. Want to make involve older children further? Then give them specific vacation roles. Children that enjoy photography, for example, can be made the official vacation photographer. Children with a passion for puzzles can be made the trip navigator, charged with deciphering the maps!
When to Travel
Once you’ve decided how you’d like to travel and where you’d like to go, you need to pick the right time of year to take your family vacation. The first factor to take into consideration when making this decision is how old your children are: if you have school-age children then you are tied into travelling during school vacation times, so that your vacation won’t have an impact on their education. This means you have to prepare yourself for travelling during the peak season when lots of other families will be on the road or heading to the airport. If you’re children are younger and not yet in a formalized school environment then you can avoid this scrum by travelling before the school vacations begin so that your journey and your final destination will be quieter and more relaxed. May and September are the ideal months for this, as the weather in most destinations is still clement.
Time To Pack!
Finally, it’s time to think smart when it comes to packing your suitcases. As well as a plentiful supply of sunscreen and weather appropriate clothing for each member of your family you should also think about what else you need to pack that will make your life a little easier when you’re on your vacation. For younger children quiet and distracting toys such as play figures and coloring books will provide a welcome distraction when boredom strikes. Easy to carry snacks are also a handy distraction and will prevent any hunger tantrums at inopportune moments. For older children remember to pack a plentiful supply of batteries to keep consoles and electronic devices powered for the duration of your journey. By anticipating the needs of each member of your family, you can ensure that your travelling time is as pain free and pleasant as possible.
Now you’re equipped with everything you need to start planning that perfect family vacation you’ve always dreamed of. What are you waiting for?
contributed by Susanne Goode
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