Some folks take a vacation to get away from work, stress, and even family. But going on vacation with your parents and/or your grown children can be a fun and memorable way to strengthen those family ties.
Traveling together as a couple is stressful enough, but when multiple personalities and multiple generations set out on a journey together, it can resemble the opening scenes of Home Alone. Here are some tips that will help make this special vacation delightful instead of frightful.
Pool your resources
Decide in advance how much money will be spent on vacation. This amount will include transportation, lodging, food, activities, and souvenirs. Let each family unit contribute a percentage or a specific dollar amount, and then stick to the budget. Sharing expenses on lodging and groceries can save a bundle, and you may be able to get group discounts for attractions.
Rent a vacation home
Instead of staying in hotels, check into options on VRBO or HomeAway. A home-away-from-home gives everyone some space and is usually cheaper than renting enough hotel rooms to accomodate everyone in your party. Just be sure to look at pictures and discuss the layout of the property with the owner or property manager. One family discovered that what was listed as a bedroom in the property listing was actually a loft that could only be reached by using a ladder in one of the bedrooms, so that alone determined which families slept where.
Incorporate interests of everyone
If only one or two of you are golfers, plan a round of golf for everyone if the golfers are open to that. A vacation is a great time to try something new. Or, if the golfers would prefer some quiet time on the links, let the non-golfers schedule another activity to do during that time. Shopping, fishing, antique shopping, spa time – a few hours here and there ensures everyone has a great time.
Schedule enough free time
Remember that this vacation is for everyone, so make sure there’s enough time to just relax, read a book, watch TV, or catch a movie. Trade off time so couples can have some time alone together, or so grandparents can have the kids to themselves for awhile.
Share chores
Everyone pitching in to cook meals, load the dishwasher, grocery shop, or wash the towels takes pressure off just one person. Assign duties or choose days for each family to be in charge.
Establish a few traditions
You may not be able to take a big family vacation every year, but go ahead and create traditions anyway. Story time, game time, theme nights, DVD night, or even small, specific types of souvenirs make for great traditions. In a few years, just the mention of charades, or those movies you watched on the DVD, will stir up memories of that special time when all of you were together.
Record the vacation
Gift everyone with one before you leave home, or leave a couple of disposable cameras lying around so children and adults can snap candid shots at any given time. Some of these photos may become family favorites in the coming years.
Even if you decide to make it a “Stay-Cation,” you can vacation together if you live within a few hours driving time of each other. Spend the night at each others’ houses to save lodging and transportation costs, but then, look for day trip destinations or activities you can all do together.
Vacationing with your whole family can be rewarding and memorable. Just think of the stories you’ll have to tell when you get home.
Tracy Ruckman - Tracy Ruckman is a freelance writer and non-traditional student, with a passion for learning, exploring, and asking tough questions.
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