Family Vacation Survival Tips
Well it's summer and that usually means loading up the family and heading off for vacation some place. While this is all good and exciting it CAN be a tad stressful as well. It doesn't matter if your children are bitty little things, tweens or nearly grown as ours are now, each comes with it's own set of potential stresses that can make you wonder if going to all the trouble is even worth it. Well, I'm here to tell you the trouble is indeed worth it and it can be pleasant for all with a little planning and forethought.
For those of you with little ones I suggest taking a nanny or sitter along. This is paramount for mom and dad to still have a little time together and not feel like you are just tag teaming the entire trip {that is not so much fun}. When they are young help with the basic needs is all that is required. Just having someone else to take your babies up for a nap or lunch or bath and to bed early is priceless. There is still plenty of opportunity to create those family memories but still feel like you are getting some R & R too.
We can lump tweens and nearly growns into the same category since they are all capable of tending to themselves. I suggest a few rules {my husband prefers the term "expectations} because if mom isn't happy no one is. This will be different for everyone because we all have different triggers. For instance, we were on a beach trip recently and my "expectations" were simple: pick up after yourself {no dishes out, place items in the dishwasher, etc. just as you would at home}, keep all of your belongings in your room and no wet or sandy bodies inside the house or on the furniture. Basic BUT must be reiterated. Don't assume that just because these are the "expectations" of the house in real life they will do them on vacation. I mean, they think they are on vacation and don't have any expectations. You are on vacation too and not anyone's maid. I send a group text to all the children before trips and holidays and over the years they have come to expect this from me. I feel better stating it even if "they know".
I also did some meal planning for our trip and depending where you are going and your accommodations you may consider it too. I don't mind cooking and while we did eat out several times it was costly. There are 7 of us and each meal out was no less that $700. Aside from that we had to make sure everyone was dressed and showered by a certain time in order to make the reservation. We live by the clock at home and in a city where you don't eat if you don't have a reservation. Mom wanted a break from that. Our recent trip was more about unplugging than anything else. We had a great house with a well appointed kitchen and bar so cooking was actually quite enjoyable. My tips: plan meals in advance and make a grocery list. When you go to the store leave the children behind. It's cheaper and faster. I planned a breakfast every morning but one and lunch was the same daily {assorted deli meats, bakery bread, croissants and chicken salad}. I also made a dip and cucumber salad and had tons of chips to choose from. We had wonderful dinners, very simple but very nice {think a lot of shrimp and veggies}. We stocked the bar too and with all that only spent around $800-$900 at Publix {which we felt was very very good...far less than we thought it would be}. You can do the math but for 7 people, 3 meals daily {with alcohol} for 8 days it is practically pennies.
Don't feel like you need to take your kids out every night and entertain them. The WiFi was not working properly in our house most of the trip. It turned out for the best. We talked, played lots of games, rode bicycles out for ice cream and basically allowed ourselves to just "be". At the end of the trip, we left the games we had purchased so the next family could enjoy them.
Bottom line: with a little planning and a few rules anyone can survive and enjoy family vacation. Getting packed and out of your house is half the battle. Our children almost expect or assume we will go out each night on vacation but don't feel like that is what you have to do regardless of your pocketbook. There can be balance and everyone is happy. State your expectations, once is all it should take, and enjoy your trip. I must add...we have amazing kids that we truly enjoy so I don't want this taken out of context. Just sharing what works for us.