I love family vacations. There is something special about traveling and exploring new destinations alongside your kids. And I appreciate the way vacations force us to hit the pause button on our normal commitments – school, work, and the like – and let us reconnect with our more lighthearted selves. We can be goofy and silly, and maybe even eat half of our body weight in desserts, because that’s what vacation is for!
On the other hand, the stress of traveling and the departure from typical routines can leave kids and adults alike vulnerable to exhaustion and cranky moods. It’s only fun to feel like a kid again on vacation if you can avoid the associated tantrums, whining, and hunger-induced meltdowns.
I experienced both sides of the coin last week when my husband and I took our daughters to Florida for spring break. While the trip had many highlights, like relaxing in the sun and meeting the kids’ favorite Disney characters, there were also frustrating moments, stretches of bickering, and upset stomachs.
It’s not realistic to avoid every contingency, from a lost piece of luggage to a runny nose that shows up in the days before a trip. But on every trip with my kids, I’ve learned something that has helped make our next vacations better. Here are some tips to consider when planning your next family adventure.
1. Hydrate. When it comes to lousy moods, dehydration is a major culprit on vacation. We’re consuming more salt than usual and are likely outside in the sun for several hours at a time. Toting your own liquids along can be a drag, but many places, including the Disney and Universal parks, offer free ice water at their beverage stations. On previous trips, we have also packed empty stainless steel water bottles to fill on the go. For an extra boost, I bring along electrolyte packets and add them to regular tap water at the hotel or when we’re out.
2. Be flexible to accommodate different travel preferences. A big perk of a family vacation is spending time with each other, of course! But over the years, I’ve learned it’s okay if everyone isn’t together 100% of the time. Sometimes breaking up into smaller groups makes sense. My husband and oldest daughter are the morning people in our family, while my youngest and I prefer to greet the day at a more leisurely pace. One morning during our trip to Universal Studios, my husband and oldest daughter ventured to the parks early to avoid the crowds. They had a blast, while my younger daughter and I were happy to have extra sleep and a nice breakfast.
3. Bring separate bags to organize clothing. This is one item I never seem to have enough of on family vacations. Nylon laundry bags come in handy for separating dirty and clean clothing. Regular plastic shopping bags are great for containing items like wet swimsuits, and you can usually find at least one in your hotel room closet as well.
4. Pack more snacks than you think you’ll need. There are plenty of times on vacation when you’ll find yourself in between meals and without viable food options. Bringing your own snacks helps you avoid the sting that comes from plunking down $17 at the airport kiosk for two granola bars and a bottle of water. (Been there, done that.) Chewy treats like fruit snacks and fruit leather are useful for kids who feel pressure in their ears on the airplane. We’ve also stashed mini boxes of cereal in our luggage for a quick breakfast. Kids can help shop for and pack favorite snacks before the trip.
5. Take the photos and videos. Don’t worry if they’re not Instagram-worthy or your kids find your paparazzi efforts annoying (which they likely will). We tried to capture a decent family photo on our latest trip and ended up with several mediocre snapshots, but I’d rather have an imperfect photo than none at all. Plus, sometimes the worst photos make for the most hilarious stories later.
6. Build in time to decompress at home. More than once, our vacation ended on a sour note when we had to come home late on a Sunday night and jump back into school and work early the next morning. The transition back to normal routines can be jarring, especially if you’re also coping with jet lag. Whenever possible, schedule your return so you have at least one partial day to settle in back at home. My kids use the time to relax and unpack in their rooms, while my husband and I pick up groceries and deal with the mountain of laundry.
No matter how carefully we plan ahead, even the best vacations will include some challenges. But I hope that one day, my kids will look back and remember the special times we enjoyed together, meltdowns and all.
~ ~ ~