How To Survive Family Vacations Without Going Nuts
Start writing a post
Relationships

How To Survive Family Vacations Without Going Nuts

Have a great time on family vacation, without losing your mind.

70
How To Survive Family Vacations Without Going Nuts
imgur

Spending time with your family can be both fun and crazy, and if your family is anything like mine, vacation is great until you are sick of spending every waking moment together. Pretty soon, the headphones come out and everyone wants their own little space in the car. Families are great and we love them, but when you put the whole family in a car for a week, things can get pretty tense. Throw in an issue with the GPS and you may as well jump out the window! Instead of losing it, here are some tips for not only surviving the monster that is family vacation, but actually enjoy each other’s company. I will be trying these out myself when my family heads to Cape Cod in a few weeks.

1. Share Responsibilities

From finding a hotel or rental to booking flights and finding directions, trips can be stressful to plan out. Most of the time, when my family goes on vacation, the parents are left to do all the less glamorous things that ultimately make the fun parts of vacation possible. In order to cut down on the stress, have each member of the family take responsibility for one aspect of the trip. The vacation will go much smoother if people start out with less stress on their plates.


2. Find a Balance

One thing that I find makes a vacation less successful is when every little thing is planned out. Having a rigid schedule to make sure you see every single museum and landmark may not be the best way to do it. But, you also don’t want to be stuck somewhere without much to do. Plan one or two things at most for each day of the trip, or even leave a whole day unplanned to relax and enjoy wherever you are visiting. This will give everyone something to look forward to, but if you want to go explore that side trail or need a spur of the moment trip to the mall, you won’t feel rushed to do some fun things on the side. Leave room for spontaneity!

3. Personalize Your Fun

Everyone has their own thing that makes them happy. Maybe you need time for exercise or you need time to read. You might desperately want to get a tan while someone else really wants to see the new Jason Bourne movie. Make sure there is enough time to do something that will make each person happy. Then everyone will love at least one part of the vacation.

4. Splitting Up, Not Breaking Up

Do not be afraid to split up on family vacations. Let the kids go off on their own and do something they want to do, and give the parents a night off to spend together. Give people alone time when they need it and it will cut down on the arguments that are usually about absolutely nothing.


5. Take Photos

Photography is my favorite way to document memories (other than writing) because when you look back on the trip, you will remember the good times you had with your family. Just make sure you prioritize what should be photographed. Do you really need that photo of yet another wild flower? Probably not. But mom on a mechanical bull? That is a must.

Family vacations can be a blast if you take into consideration that not everything goes according to plan. So buckle up and get ready to have fun on your next family vacation. But pack your headphones, just in case.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

42387
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26615
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951733
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

138626
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments