Family vacations can be both incredibly fun and completely unbearable, often within the same vacation. Especially with large groups of family members on one vacation, a simple decision can be absolutely brutal. Because of the comfort level that we tend to have with our family members, there's much less concern about hurting people's feelings. Let's face it; our families are stuck with us and we know it, no matter how much we force everyone to go to that one restaurant an hour away from the hotel. So we force, and then people get annoyed. And naturally, especially in a close family, when one person is annoyed, everyone gets annoyed. The end result is a very tense car ride back to the hotel and everyone wearing earbuds the whole time.

There's also the matter of diminishing returns when it comes to time spent together. This really goes for any group traveling together. The first few days are awesome; you catch up with each other, you make jokes, you laugh, everything is just peachy. And then the third and fourth days roll around, and your travel companions are no longer as fun. You've heard all of the stories they had to tell, and you start to notice the annoying way one person taps their foot, or how another tries to micromanage everyone. At this point, you just want space, but you can't have it because you're stuck in a hotel room with the same people when you're not out with them. After another day of being acutely aware of everyone's little annoying tendencies, all you want to do is go home. I've found this to be so much more difficult with families because, at the end of the trip, a lot of the same people follow you to your house.

However, I've learned that some of the things that make family vacations miserable are also what make them more fun than any other vacation. While being very comfortable and secure in your family may make you more likely to push for things that ultimately result in everyone being miffed, it's also license to be exactly yourself. You grew up with these people, whether they're cousins, siblings, parents, they all know who you are. I know when I'm with my family, I can be completely ridiculous and say whatever I'm thinking, whenever I'm thinking it. There's never any pressure to impress anyone, and that's an awesome way to spend a vacation.

Also, you know for certain that you're going to come away from that vacation with some super adorable family pictures. Traveling with family members means you always have someone around to get your best angles and to pose in group shots with you. And, if you're with a bunch of people, there's always someone around to be the photographer.

I think no matter what happens, family vacations end up being worth it in the end. Even if the whole thing isn't a five star experience, there's always someone that you bond with during the hard times. And I think those little shared giggles while everyone else is freaking out, are what bring you closer together.