Two, fully-grown adults sharing a queen bed. The youngest member of the family sleeping on a cot in the corner of the room. Planning shower schedules to ensure everyone has enough time before the dinner reservations. Family vacations can be strenuous with the small but numerous challenges everyone has to tackle. Devising ways to reduce tensions and increase morale, your family vacation can feel less of a burden and more of a paradise.
It's Okay to be Lonely
There's no hiding the fact that families can get on each other's nerves, especially when living in tight spaces. To secure your sanity, be sure to allocate time for yourself, away from all other family members. Personally, I enjoy waking up before the rest of my family, reserving our chairs by the pool and then going down to the beach to watch the sunrise- often while lying in a hammock. Even if that's not your cup of tea, finding those moments to get away and have time to yourself is the key to reducing family tensions.
Solver, Sitter or Settler
Fights and arguments are bound to arise on family vacations. By constructing a way to handle the problems through one of the three concepts- solvers, sitters or settlers- you can ensure the family chaos doesn't kill your vacation vibes. Solvers predict what issues will arise and fix the problem before it gets worse. Sitters take a beat and walk away from the problem so they're not enraged by it. Settlers witness the problem occurring and calm down the involving parties while determining what caused the issue. Depending on which of the three you may decide upon, planning how you'll react to problems can play a part in the answer to diminishing them.
Nosy Questions
As we grow up, we frequently notice a trend of constant, overbearing questions being asked by older family members during the holidays or special celebrations. If your family tends to bring out invasive questions when you're on a vacation and there's nowhere to run, don't fret. Plan ahead of time and give them answers to the questions you can guarantee they'll ask. For an alternative, funny way to answer their questions, consider creating a pamphlet like Mary Beth Barone did when she told her family about her upcoming date during a family vacation. No matter how you prepare, take a guess at what questions they'll be asking you and form your answers beforehand- it'll save you a lot of time and a lot of unnecessary stress.
Songs and Stories
Whether you love listening to music or reading books to keep you pre-occupied, do what you love to keep you happy. Download your favorite playlists so you won't need Wi-Fi to listen to them or bring a stack of books that you won't be able to put down. If you're able to bring your favorite hobby with you on the trip, do it. It'll keep you away from family chaos and more importantly, it'll keep you pleased and content.
New Friends Mean Great Memories
Making new friends can be a great idea for trips or vacations. If you like going on adventures or staying out late at night and your family doesn't, that's what friends are for. Whether you meet someone in the lobby or by the pool, vacation friends can create the best memories that you'll remember for years. Being with friends means you won't be around any family issues that could arise and you'll be sure to have the most enjoyable time having fun with people who love the same things you do.
Family vacations can be amazing and filled with laughter but at times difficult and stressful. Keep these ideas in mind for any problems that could spark or already have. Focus on lessening tensions so you and your family can have the best of times without the worst of times. Most importantly, start your trip with an open mind and a positive attitude. Good luck and have fun!