Wednesday, May 15, 2013
"Vacation". Just the word sends us into a dreamland of
sun, sand, and fruity umbrella drinks. Or maybe it's mountains and a crackling
fire. Either way, the key thing to remember is that a vacation equals a
stress-meter set firmly to zero. Family vacations are a great way to spend
quality time together, but you'll be lost from the start without proper
planning. Here are five must-follow tips on how to make your next family
vacation a slam-dunk through proper preparation.
1. Advance Accommodations
Moms wear just about every hat imaginable, so it's no surprise
that almost nothing feels quite as good as the first night of freedom in a
great hotel. You won't ever get there, though, if you don't do some advance
scouting and prep-work. To that end, make sure that your crash-pad of choice is
truly as family-friendly as it can be. Check for things like great room service
to save you from the morning round-up of the kids, a nursery so the adults can
have some time alone, and an in-room fridge for bottle or snack storage. If
you’re looking for the whole package, look into resort options. When my family
traveled to the breathtaking Hawaiian Islands, we were able to stay at a top Honolulu hotel geared to
families. There are resorts for everything from skiing to sun bathing in the
tropics with entertainment and accommodations for every age imaginable.
2. Kid-Adapted Flight Planning
Family vacations are great, but you'll need to be smart if you
want to get things off the ground with your sanity intact. You should do
everything in your power to book an early flight. The later a flight, the more
chances for delays, which means stress and grumpy family members. If you are
delayed, try playing a game or popping in a movie to keep the little ones busy
- a soda or chocolate might sound like a good idea now, but when the caffeine
kicks in, you'll wish you hadn't gone there.
3. "The List"
This one's simple: The more stuff you can do ahead of time, the
better. Make a list of things to pack and errands to run pre-vacation. Things
like mail-forwarding or stoppage, pet-sitting arrangements, and so on are good
things to jot down. If you’re traveling during the school year, make sure to inform
your child’s teachers and get all homework done prior to departure. Making your
child sit inside and complete math problems at Disney World will be miserable
for both of you. If you can’t live without your smart phone, keep your vacation
preparation digital with a packing app such as Packing
Pro.
4. Bargaineering
Use deal sites, reward points, credit card deals, and club
memberships to save money, snag perks, and generally make your next family
vacation the best it can be. Look into credit cards that offer flight discounts
or hotels that offer discounts for AAA members. Take advantage of them when you
can. After all, that's what they're for!
5. Be Consistent
Kids - and adults too, sometimes! - are creatures of habit. Do
your best to minimize
disruption to your normal routine. Snack time, nap time, and other regular
milestones are important – try not to neglect them! But if the dolphin show is
stuck in the middle of a feeding period or your hard-to-come-by dinner
reservation cuts into bedtime, don’t simply cancel. Combine consistency with
flexibility by bringing easy snacks and comfy blankets. Do your best and keep
your cool; this will set a relaxed tone and hopefully discourage cranky little
ones.
There are lots of things
that go into planning and executing a dynamite vacation, but with the above
tips, you should be well on your way to a fun-filled, stress-free break from
the nine-to-five of life. Have fun!
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