This is a partnered post.
Family vacations can and should be some of the happiest experiences of our lives. As parents, we have the opportunity to bond with our children, to delight in introducing them to wondrous new sights and sounds in the world, and to cherish those precious moments while they’re still young.
As children, we get to experience those same wonders of the world, expand our horizons, let our imaginations run wild, and drink in the majesty of the world around us.
What’s more, with services such as Net Voucher Codes now readily available, it’s easier than it ever has been before for us to get out with our loved ones and see some amazing locales.
But while a family vacation can and should be an incredible experience for all involved, it can also be disrupted, or even ruined, by bad decisions, poor emotional control, and poor planning.
Here are some suggestions for making your family vacation even better.
Reduce the amount of “screen time”
One of the primary benefits of a family vacation is that it allows you and your family to get away from the digital distractions of everyday life, and to engage with the real world in a more direct and authentic manner.
If you spend the majority of your family vacation watching TV, or letting your kids play video games, the whole experience is clearly being cheapened, and there’s little benefit in going on vacation to begin with.
In order to get the most out of your family vacation, significantly reduce the amount of screen time, both for you and your significant other, and for your children.
Pack books, board games, and low-tech, family-friendly entertainment options to encourage a bit of a change of pace.
Have a reliable transport option available
When you’re away on vacation, having your own vehicle — either owned or rented — allows you a vast degree of freedom and flexibility above and beyond what you would have experienced without it.
That’s not to say that you can’t have a great vacation without having access to your own vehicle. You certainly can. But you simply have more options when you have a car (or even a motorhome) at your disposal.
Suddenly, you’re no longer forced to limit your vacation to one small area, or to the resort you might be staying in. You also no longer have to rely on the good graces of whatever public transport system exists in the vicinity.
Instead, you can take day trips near and far, as you desire.
Involve the kids in the planning process
While your kids clearly aren’t going to be handling any of the actual logistics of organising the trip, it is still a very good idea to involve them in the planning process, even just to the extent that you discuss the various sightseeing options to them, and get their feedback on what they most want to do.
This not only helps to reduce the number of tantrums that might occur, but it makes the kids feel involved in the planning process, and will likely result in them feeling more engaged and attentive.
Try to fit in something for everyone during the trip.
You may also be interested in Captain Bobcat’s post: Holiday Checklist: My Top Tips For Preparing For A Family Holiday